What are my chances and how can I improve them?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>I am a college junior and have been reading posts on College Confidential for the last six months or so, but, until now, have been too afraid to post anything myself. Finally, I've decided to post so I'm wondering what people think of my chances and, especially, how I can improve them.</p>

<p>PSAT: 240
SAT I: 2400
SAT II: 740 Bio (Freshman year), 770 Math IC, 800 World History, took Math IIC last Saturday and hope for 750+</p>

<p>AP's: AP World (5), AP US (hoping for 4 or 5), AP English (hoping for 4 or 5), and, next year, AP Physics, AP Calc AB (my school doesn't offer BC), AP English 12, AP Euro, AP Spanish, AP Italian</p>

<p>Potential Hook: 2 AP languages?</p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 (my school doesn't weight)</p>

<p>white male from wealthy suburb in New York</p>

<p>Awards: Havard Book Award, Baush and Lomb Honorary Science Prize, hopefully National Merit Finalist or at least semifinalist, National Honors Foreign Language Society, hopefully National Honors Society</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: -Four years Peer Tutoring Club (VP 11, President 12)
-School Newspaper (10, 11, 12) Film editor 10 and 11, culture editor 12
-founder and president of film society (film discussion club) (10,11,12)
-theater (9 productions from freshman to senior year, 5 as cast, 4 as crew)
-varsity tennis 9-12 but not good enough to be recruited or make college team
-school chorus
-debate team (9, 10, 11 (captain), 12 (captain)
-president's council (organization of club presidents in school) (11,12)
-captain of film society relay for life time 11 and 12
-Tsunami relief committee (11)-group of club presidents that worked to aid tsunami relief
-School senate (12?) hopefully</p>

<p>Work Experience: interned at Kenmar Hedge Fund 11 and 12
I'm writing an article this year for national financial publication on statistical analysis of financial risk at Kenrmar this summer with a John Hopkins professor. Hoping to get recommendation from the John Hopkins professor.</p>

2

<p>As far as qualifications go, theres nothing you can do to improve you chances. You have about as good a shot as anyone else does(I had similar numbers but was deferred then waitlisted). Byerly or Northstarmom, however, might have some good tips as far as getting in touch with the admissions office goes, so I'd reccomend private messaging one of them for suggestions on things you can do this fall.</p>

3

<p>My good tip about messaging adcoms is don't do it unless you have a question to ask them that's not answered on Harvard's extensive web pages.</p>

<p>With the highest yield in the country, Harvard is not a college that looks for evidence of applicants' interest. Harvard adcoms are all Harvard grads and are not known for finding kissups endearing.</p>

<p>With the record numbers of applicants Harvard has been receiving, the adcoms also are very busy so don't want to answer questions unless these truly are questions that need adcoms' responses.</p>

<p>With the exception of questions that truly are too personal to ask on the board without breeching one's privacy, in order to benefit the most people, I prefer answering questions on the boards, not through PM.</p>

4

<p>Another traditional, upper-middle class suburbian white female with very high SATs and common ECs. This is what the adcom would ask you: "Why should we accept you?" What makes different? Lol dont take it the wrong way, just trying to help. However, consider those questions because thats how they will see you among the many that look exactly like you stats wise. And it will be detrimental when you compete with that sub-1300 SAT minority kid that founded a program to teach immigrants English and get them naturalized.</p>

5

<p>"'I'm writing an article this year for national financial publication on statistical analysis of financial risk at Kenrmar this summer with a John Hopkins professor. Hoping to get recommendation from the John Hopkins professor.
"</p>

<p>IMO, this is what's most outstanding about your application: if you get published and get that recommendation.</p>

<p>Lots of students take 2 AP languages, so that's not a hook.</p>