<p>Hi, I'm currently 16 (10th Grade) and studying in Year 11 UK system (GCSE's that is). Anyway, it has been a lifelong dream of mine to go to Harvard University, like many of you reading this I'm sure. Anyway, I've done some research on what it takes to get into Harvard and I understand that you have to take the SATI in addition to SAT II Subject tests (correct me if I'm wrong please!). Now I am to start studying for these in the summer coming hopefully and I have already taken the SAT I about 15 months ago, scoring a 1200 which wasnt bad on the back of no revision, 3 hours sleep and I did not know that there was negative marking on the paper, so with revision and all the other factors eliminated I'm sure I can greatly improve this in say 10 months from now. </p>
<p>In terms of extra-curricular activities I have:</p>
<p>Attended 2x Summer Schools, CTY and also NAGTY (British equivalent) which is rare for a British student
Represent High School at Basketball
Grade 5 Keyboard, Grade 5 Bass Guitar, Grade 1 Drums
I am taking part in an expedition to trekk the Sahara Desert in Morocco
School Council
Head of technical for many drama productions at high school
Charity work carried out in UK and India
Mentor younger children through school
Predicted 9A*'s and 4A's at GCSE
Grade 6 Elocution</p>
<p>This is the most I can remember off the top of my head although there are some extra things to that list plus more to be added over the coming years. Is this even good enough to be considered for Harvard, and also what is the usual policy for admittance to Hardvard for International Students? </p>
<p>If you could suggest extra things that I should do to appear more like the well rounded student Harvard wants then please feel free to add your suggestion and help a kid with big dreams fulfill them!</p>
<p>im a uk student as well.. currently doing A levels in boarding school. I got accepted to Harvard EA last month.
I'd say you're looking good so far. Keep up the grades and your activities, and try to make 1 of them as special as you can...just something to set you apart and that might make the difference. </p>
<p>Appreciate it! Could you tell me what your 'hook' is? Just trying to get a general picture of what people class as a hook. Hopefully i'll see you at Harvard in a couple years!</p>
<p>well i think it was this project report I sent them. I spent a month in a village in India, working on a water harvesting project with an NGO with the basic aim of development of the village and improvement of standard of living, and wrote up this extensive project report assessing the economic implications of the water project for the village, and the scope for development of other villages through similar initiatives.</p>
<p>Hey sphynx, in your opinion do Harvard people have lower expectations EC-wise of internationals? Particularly UK students? Because seriously, in my school (a good school) not many people perform anything at national level, let alone international level, and only do a few ECs at most.</p>
<p>Also would you mind telling me more about your application - what ECs do you have, what kind of grades did you get, what kind of school do you go to? Cheers</p>
<p>Ace is Back,
I don't think Harvard has lower expectations internationally, when it comes to Extra-curriculars. If you're not performing at something at as high as national level, you just have to try to do something to make your application special, and highlight your strenghts whatever they may be.
college-woot! I didn't do GCSE's. I was at a day school in India till the end of 10th grade, so I did ICSE's which are the equivalent and quite similar to GCSE's. My grades were roughly,
Maths - A
English - A
Hindi - B
Physics - B
Chemistry - A
Biology - A
History - A
Geography - A
Computer Science - C
(A>90% B>80% C>70%)</p>
<p>Im doing A levels in Maths, Economics, Physics, Chemsitry, Further Mathematics at a public school in the UK. Been predicted 5 A's. </p>
<p>Don't think grades matter too much as long as they're fairly good.
My SAT scores were:
SAT 1: 2210 (740 M, 730 CR, 740 W)
SAT 2: Maths 2c: 770
Chemistry: 770
Writing: 800
ECs: -Lots of school level sport.
-The project I did with an NGO, which I mentioned in my last post.
-School paper editor
-Was selected to be on a TV show, for a debate on ways to prevent smoking
-School choir
-Model United Nations
-1st place for a presentation at a Business Learning seminar
-Community Service: Member of Interact club, first aid course</p>
<p>Lots of work experience, ranging from a private equity firm in London, to a mobile gaming firm in India.</p>
<p>I'm an international and I've just had my interview a couple of days ago with an alumna from my country and she said that they have about the same expectations academics and ec wise as for the US applicants. The thing is that spaces for intels are VERY limited, even compared to the rest of the class, which is already insanely competitive. Most intels she met at Harvard all had something that made them stand out, but also excelled in their specific fields on INTERNATIONAL level, which sort of scared me, too. </p>
<p>So basically all you can do right now is work on your application, contact the coaches if you are a strong athlete or just pray to beat the odds :-))</p>