[Urgent] Diversity big factor?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p><strong><em>I also posted this in the selection forum, but I figured the Harvard people know better about the issue. I need to decide tomorrow.</em></strong></p>

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I have a day to decide on the list of schools I will apply to. I am torn between Harvard, Cornell, and JHU (I will only apply to 2 out of the 3 – I am applying to a bunch of other schools already).</p>

<p>I am a fairly good student at TJHSST, but my grades alone probably won’t get me into Harvard, Cornell, and JHU.
- 1440 SAT (760 math, 680 verbal)
- GPA 3.75 (with Freshman year); 4.0+ without Freshman year (will attach letter with reason)</p>

<p>JHU and Cornell applications will require do write new essays, plus I don't know much about those schools and whether I would choose to go to them over the in-state schools in VA.</p>

<p>I would like to know how much Harvard compared to Cornell and JHU consider my background as a critical factor of admission. Here is my story:</p>

<p>While I was born in Uzbekistan, I lived half of my life in Israeli. I moved to the United States about 7 years ago. After another move (within US), I became the first junior accepted to Thomas Jefferson HS (TJHSST) in about 10 years. I have done well academically in the school. </p>

<p>I wrote my main essay about how terrorism in Israel changed my life, and made me want to become an economists (if anybody wants to read it, please send me an email at dlevit[at]gmail.com - I think its pretty good). My other essay talks about my time at Boys’ State of Virginia – once again dealing with Judaism.</p>

<p>My other “extras” include:
- World Bank Internship (un-paid)
- President of Economics Society
- Varsity Swimming
- Freelance Computer Graphics
- Computer Science Research (applied to Intel)
- Jewish Culture Club & Jewish Youth Group (leadership positions in both)
- Viola
- Math Team, Teenage Republicans, and Water Polo</p>

<p>I would love to hear your opinion on my final decision.</p>

<p>Thank you,</p>

2

<p>i don't see why you think you won't be accepted to any of three colleges. JHU and cornell would be "fits" for you.</p>

3

<p>"i don't see why you think you won't be accepted to any of three colleges"
The competition at his school is fierce...</p>

4

<p>go for harvard and cornell
(since u want to be an economist)</p>

<p>jhu has an excellent life sciences program. so choose jhu and harvard if you are a pre-med (which you arent)</p>

5

<p>You're Republican and Jewish? Don't see that every day...</p>

6

<p>R U now a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.? This going to be the big kicker. If you are not you will be thrown in the international pool of candidates (many more people -fewer slots, not need blind and very limited FA at many schools).</p>

7

<p>Well, if you went into Palestinian bashing mode on your essay on "terrorism" in Israel, then you're pretty much not gonna get in. Harvard already has enough of those ppl on campus.</p>

<p>"R U now a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.?"</p>

<p>This is not true. Harvard (and most other colleges), view Permanent residents and citizens in essentially the same light.</p>

8

<p>I am a Permanent Resident (I am in the same boat as citizens as far as admission goes). I wrote my essay mainly on my impression of terrorism as an Israeli child, and said that I want to do something about the situation, in form of economics.</p>

9

<p>Plenty of Jews are Republican...Joe Liberman is basically Conservative Lite.</p>