what are my chances for Harvard acceptance?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Hello, I would appreciate some feedback on how to improve my chances for acceptance into Harvard. I would like to hear the honest truth, and what I can do to improve. </p>

<p>I am currently going into the 11th grade in a large city high school.
GPA: 3.7
Weighted:4.2
In my school, 6 honors classes are offered per year, and I have taken four out of six in both 9th and 10th grades.
Class rank: 38/400</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: </p>

<p>-Chess club president, 10. I am currently one of the top ten chess players in the country for my age. I also teach a chess class to young children at my local library every week. I have also tutored, and I have worked as a tournament director for local scholastic tournaments.
-Varsity Track: 9,10. I am fairly accomplished in the 400m in track, and next year(11th grade) I am definitely going to be team captain, and am probably going to make it to states.
-key club: 10th grade
-School leadership program
-Recieved an A in a Community College Microeconomics course, 9.
-I have volunteered extensively: Sierra Club, Community Food Bank, Library, Local Park, and various other environmental groups.
-NHS, 10.</p>

<p>My main extracurricular hooks are my involvement in both chess and track.</p>

<p>However, my grades are weak, and I am barely in the top ten percent of my class. Also, in the second semester of my sophomore year I recieved a C in my Honors Trigonometry class.</p>

<p>What kind of chance do I have for a harvard admission?</p>

<p>What can I do to improve my chances?
What kind of SAT/SAT Subject Test scores will I need?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I'm a high school student too, so don't listen to me too much. I think if you keep up with track you'll have a shot at Harvard.</p>

<p>Shoot for AT LEAST 2200 on your sat and 700+ on all subject tests.</p>

3

<p>I can't speak for exactly what your chances will be, but I might put them at about 20%. Shoot for a 2200 SATI/II, get straight A's this upcoming semester, and start working on your application essay.</p>

4

<p>If you do end up at Harvard, will you please teach me to be a better chess player! I really wish Harvard had a Freshman Seminar on Chess, so I could take it next semester.</p>

5

<p>Given that most people who apply to Harvard are qualified and less than 10% are accepted, for most people the chances are about 10% barring any real hooks. Top ten chess player, might be worth something however.</p>

6

<p>Hey did you go to USCF Nationals? Did you play in the Open Tournament??</p>

7

<p>I havent been to National since seventh grade. I think I came in 7th. In sixth grade, I won the blitz championship, and came in second overall. </p>

<p>Why, do you play?</p>

8

<p>What's your 400 time? You better be :50 or less for your track to make you stand out.</p>

9

<p>I realize that. I ran upper 53s as a sophomore, so I might be able to break 50 this year. </p>

<p>Is it too late if I break 50 as a senior?</p>

10

<p>
[quote]
Chess club president, 10. I am currently one of the top ten chess players in the country for my age.

[/quote]

How do you know then? Just because of your rating?</p>

11

<p>Yes, my rating is in the top ten in the country.</p>

12

<p>I have always wanted to learn chess. If we both get it, you have got to teach me some strategies :)</p>

13

<p>haha, me too, I haven't played chess once since 5th grade and I forgot so I'm starting again now...but I'm not very good.</p>

<p>Top ten in your age, oh...because I thought you were amid G's like Hikaru Nakamura and Yasser Seirawan...and I was like WHAT?</p>

<p>That top 10 may help a lot, but that alone really won't do a thing...make sure u get good SAT's and keep up your grades.</p>

14

<p>@ the op:
that's very impressive to be in top 10. I know how hard it is since I too used to be in the top 10...but I haven't played seriously for a couple years and now I have drifted down to #30 :(</p>

15

<p>Thats what'll happen to me if i dont keep playing; ive played in like 3 tournaments in the last 2 years.</p>

16

<p>Well if you get to Harvard, you can play with Noah Elkes, that's his name I believe. He was a GM I believe, and then was the youngest full prof in Harvard History.</p>

17

<p>It's Noam Elkies . You don't even have to be a chess player to see him frequently; he works out at the MAC pretty religiously, and is surprisingly jacked for his level of math-geekness (the uber-thick glasses balance it out though).</p>

<p>Noam</a> Elkies - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</p>

<p>And in an exciting update, you can take a Freshman Seminar from him next year! </p>

<p>Freshman Seminar 24i: Mathematical Problem Solving (New Course)
Explores mathematical problem solving (and problem posing) in contexts ranging from classroom exercises to competitions to research mathematics, develops strategies and techniques for solving such problems. Participants will solve selected problems in various areas of mathematics and at a range of difficulty levels, and will present, compare and reflect on their and other participants' solutions.</p>

18

<p>Well the thing is that your senior year track season won't really matter because that's after college apps are sent in. You can definitely do 49-50 as a junior.</p>

19

<p>oooh all-ivy, what is your rating, if I may ask?
aspiring chess player. sadly im U800.</p>

20

<p>Im almost 2200. I really should be around 2350-2400, but i dont play much anymore.</p>