I got my counsellor to send my national exam scores - typically written by 17- 25/26 year olds with my mid year report. I placed in the top 0.01% in the nation at age fourteen.
However, she sent it a few days ago and it’s from last year. I’m also re-writing this year and I hope to be 1/a few millions as opposed to 301/a few millions. Should I have waited till my scores for this year were released? I felt there was no guarantee that I might be the number 1 at 15 considering that I’ve only started reading today (4 days left). My only consolation is that I placed 301 with only two days prep BUT it could have been favour? Well my point is can a 0.01% make a difference? As I don’t have Subject SATs or AP’s or IBs( ikr).
And if I do get the number one spot(I’m hoping to break the existing record) I’ll be 1/ all the millions since the 70’s so can that plus my age and the 0.01% help?
I’m aware of the fact that there are so many number 1’s in their countries in the International pool so would mine make a difference? Or it’s too late…I might be in the bin for lack of concrete scores and so would this help get me out? (I haven’t been contacted for an interview- in a limited area).I’m a Nigerian BTW.
I’m so sorry,this is getting long.
I just need to know(and yes I know you’re not adcoms)
Each year, Harvard (and YPSM) reject students with perfect test scores. Why? Because college admissions is not a meritocracy. Students with “the best” test scores are not always the student’s with the best “character.”
One of my favorite quotes about the college admissions process is from a book called What You Don’t Know Can Keep You Out Of College by Don Dunbar
Please watch this video from a Stanford Admissions Director to understand which student’s ultimately get admitted to Stanford. I Imagine it’s the same at Harvard. Best of luck to you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UYhTylqC9o
Thank you very much!
Didn’t you say Lake Forest passed on you?
Yes, because of my age. They specifically acknowledged my academic side and said there was no residential space for a fifteen year old @ClarinetDad16.
Sad life…-_- but meh I’m over them! 
I know of one 15-year old US applicant who was admitted to Harvard, but he was “wise beyond his years.” If your teachers and guidance counselor indicate in their letters of recommendation that you are mature enough to handle the college experience, Harvard will not outright deny you just because of your age. (FWIW: The student I know graduated from Harvard last year when he was 19-years old: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/ConsumerNews/teen-student-finds-longer-sat-essay-equals-score/story?id=12061494)
@gibby I know. Saheela was 15 when she was accepted and so was another intl student on cc. A couple other schools told me my age was no problem at all. I meant Lake Forest. My older friend(16) was rejected because of her age in some other schools and she’s beyond mature. Head girl of her school and all. Very responsible,I think some schools fear the unforeseen.
BTW, that video was great! Those kids seemed to be having so much fun on the farm! Like behind that wise man.
I didn’t realize that Saheela was that famous! She was my proctor during my summer school period. Jesus! She’s an amazing and humble person as well. What an honor!
Nigerian applicants probably have to be within the top 5 (if not top 1 or 2) students in the entire country to have a decent shot at schools like Harvard.
@goldenbear … If you mean % then with a 0.01% i should be on the right track.
There’s no number 1 in any country just top in terms of %. Quite frankly, it’s impossible to find a number 1 just as I’m sure you’re not the number 1-5 in your country nor is anyone here. You however might place top 1%. Best can’t be measured.
I mean in general like in the real world.
Thank you very much nonetheless!
@hola1997 omg!!! Noooo wayyyyyyy shuuuttttuuupppp!!!
I look up to her ^^ Omg!!! Saheeeeela <3 <3 my legion loves heerrrrrrr!
I envy you rn! I legit want to jump on you rn.
Every serious and ambitious Nigerian loves heerr!!! Oh my gosh I’m jumping like a moron rn… Wow,oh myyy.
I finna be the next saheela ^^ regardless of whatever school I go to
So she’s really nice? But she has graduated 
Even Obama honored her what do you mean you didn’t know?!!
It’s impressive, but will it impress Harvard into admitting you?
It’s not that simple. Each year they reject impressive applicants.
The whole concept of a lotery school is that you can’t know.
Harvard will look at everyone that made it to table read and then they’ll know
who to pick but because we really don’t know what they see and don’t, we
can’t know. I understand you want reassurance, but keep in mind that
someone who can’t take being rejected by Harvard shouldn’t be applying
Find distractions (in the Pascalian sense.)
I was hoping you’d reply @MYOS1634! Thank you once again! I’m just worried because i don’t have Subject SATs.
Yes, I have a lot of activities taking my time. Thank you again!
@Oddenigma : I wasn’t aware of it that much since I spent most of my summer at Harvard studying. Saheela and I did have several conversations (I remembered she said that she applied to Harvard just for “fun” and hoped to go to MIT instead). Ironically, that “fun” led her to Harvard. She’s an extremely nice person, she talked about her passion in science, language (Japanese), manga, she shared and show me the personality test. I mean she never talked about her achievements! Extremely humble and respectable. Had I know she is that famous, I would have tried to take more time to know her. Actually even if she’s not I would still wish I had talked to her more often. She’s just a phenomenal person. She graduated in 2015 yes, but in the summer she was the proctor at my dorm (or hallway) at Greenough House.
Is there widespread cheating in your country as there is in China?
@ClarinetDad16 : Not only from China but also South Korea and Vietnam as well. It’s really bad and that could be the reason why Harvard admission officers and other Ivy schools restrict and scan throughout the applications more thoroughly and accept less students.
@ClarinetDad16 I’m from Nigeria it’s not in Asia.
As with every country there definitely would be a few bad eggs but most Nigerians pride themselves in excelling in academics without cheating.