What are my chances for Harvard?

Wouldn’t your composite SAT score be 2260 (780+740+740)? Either way, your ACT score is great (though not eye-catching in Harvard’s extremely competitive applicant pool), so I would send that instead, especially since your highest SAT subscore is generally considered the least important. I am genuinely sorry to hear about your loss, and your accomplishments in spite of that are impressive. Unfortunately, that likely won’t be enough to change your chances for Harvard. Also, having only 4 AP courses isn’t really up to par, but congrats on doing so well on all of them. There are lots of great schools besides Harvard that would be lucky to have you, and that you would likely enjoy spending 4 years at.

I think you can send both scores as they are compatible with each other. An ACT score of 34 falls in the SAT range of 2220-2280. As for your GPA, Harvard will probably look at your unweighted GPA and then recalculate it using their own standards, not your new or old high school’s weighted calculations. I know at UC schools they add a full grade onto AP grades & UC approved honors courses.

@dblazer I dont know. I feel like if OP makes himself an incredibly unique and motivated applicant with focused/narrow interests, he could have a chance. However, I am not sure. But I do know that grades are not a measure of all sorts of intellect, and most of the talented student population do not do well in traditional schooling. I feel like AdComs would know this and be wary about making grades the priority admit criteria. However… it is a traditionally rigorous university. So I dont really know.

OP, whatever your circumstances, write an amazing essay and just apply. The thing to remember here is to not set your heart on a stretch school like Harvard, or any low admit-rate school. Set yourself on your future, and view schooling as a way to get there. This way, you won’t be crushed if your acceptance results don’t turn out the way you’d hoped.