What are my chances? (freshman)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
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<p>As if this hasn't been asked enough, I'd like to know what my chances of getting into Harvard, or any Ivy for that matter, are (I plan on being pre-med if it matters).</p>

<p>Right now I'm taking every advanced class I can. My schedule for the next 4 years (and right now), ideally, is as follows (health/pe is included in all):
Freshman-Adv. English 9, Adv. Biology 1, Geometry, Adv. US History 1, Latin 1, German 2, Jazz Band
Sophmore-Adv. English 10, Adv. Bio 2, Accelerated Chemistry, Adv. Algebra 2, Adv. US History 2, Latin 3, German 3
Junior-Adv. English 11, AP Chemistry (2 periods), Accelerated Physics, Pre Calc, Adv. World Cultures, AP Latin 5
Senior-AP Biology (2 pds.), AP Physics, AP Calc, AP US History, AP Computer Science 3</p>

<p>As far as I know, this is the most challenging course load I can take. My current GPA is about a 4.42 (so there's definetly room for improvement)</p>

<p>I'm working on my Congressional Awards Silver Level, and intend to complete the program. ECs include JV Tennis and Winter Track (hopefully varsity by Jr. or Sr. year), Student Council, Mock Trial, NJ Envirothon, Academic Bowl. I plan to join Nat'l Honor Society in Jr. year (the earliest I can), taking part in the Youth Medical Forum, Key Club, and Governor's School. I also take art classes at a somewhat well known art studio.</p>

<p>My high school is extremely uncompetetive. There are a handful of kids fighting for the top spot, and it's rare that people go to Ivies. Our grading system is 90-100 A, 80-89 B, etc. </p>

<p>PSAT Scores: 67-Critical Reading (98% among sophmores), 65-Writing(98% among sophmores). My math scores aren't worth mentioning, but they were significantly below the others, but I hadn't had the majority of the material thanks to a dismal year of 8th grade algebra, so next year it should dramatically improve. My percentile among juniors was 88. I do, of course, intend on raising my scores across the board (at least 7-10 pts.)</p>

<p>My family has no legacy at any Ivies, but the majority has gone to college. We could be described as upper-middle class in a working class town, although my parents refuse to tell me what they make. Does any of that matter?</p>

<p>What else can I do to improve my chances?</p>

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<p>model congress, too, if it makes any difference. Plus, I got an 11 on my essay in 8th grade</p>

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<p>Just keep on doing what u r doing. I am actually a frosh too. Basically i think that u shouldnt just be limited to ivies. John Hopkins is an OUTSTANDING med/pre-med school, as well as many others that aren't technically ivies. U should also look into those. Also be open to change. It is gr8 that u have made ur schedule for the nxt 4 yrs. (I actually have too. ;)) But make sure that if you do those EXACT classes that u rnt devestated. All in all what u r doin is great I wish you (and myself) good luck 4 the nxt three and half yrs.</p>

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<p>i was looking at John Hopkins too, especially for med school. i think amherst and williams (little ivies) have great programs, too. Have you heard anything about William and Mary's program? Haha. good to know i'm not the only one conerned about scheduling. good luck, too! Are you looking into ivies and pre-med?</p>

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<p>Only 3 years of US history? It's nice to have a broader view of the world (for example: I did World History 1, World History 2, Middle East Culture and History, AP US History, AP Euro History)</p>

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<p>Umm you're doing fine but you know its too early to tell. We got the same as on the CR Psat, but im a year older. oh well lol.</p>

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<p>yeah. I actually do like history, but I figured that for pre-med the ap science courses were more important. My school doesn't offer a whole lot of options, either (I'm taking every top US History class I can). There's a requirement for world history, even though everyone took it in 8th grade:/</p>

<p>greendayfan, I totally agree. It's waaay to early to tell. As far as psat scores go, did you get the same scores across the board, and what were your math scores?</p>

<p>Is it smart to drop german afer sophmore year for pre-calc?</p>

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<p>um no i got a 62 on writing (dumb, dumb mistakes that i vow to never make again.haha) and math 58(because im taking geometry this year so i hadnt learned a lot of the material). 187 total</p>

<p>and no i would recommended dropping german..i think it's better to stick to a class. and its not totally necessary to take precalc sophomore year so why bother.</p>

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<p>That's why I'm glad it's the PSAT and not the SAT (to get everyone's stupid mistakes out of the way-which I had many of). Did you take the SATs yet? If so, did your scores raise or drop? </p>

<p>I get what you're saying about German. It would probably be to my advantage since it would be another full weighted class (Pre. Calc is only 1/2). By the way, I would be taking pre-calc in Jr. year.</p>

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<p>It really too hard to quantify any "chances" when you're just a freshman. Not to discourage you, but things do change. I know someone who was all set to go to HYPSM, but then he had a serious accident and he ended up dropping a year of school (due to surgeries...etc) and never became the person he was before the accident. (Okay, don't get freaked out here, I'm not being pessimistic or anything).</p>

<p>As a senior, I would advise you basically to take your SAT exams when you're supposed to, maintain high marks in all of the most challenging courses that your school offers, and find leadership positions in your ECs. If possible, try to win a prestigious award in some field that you are interested. However, always keep in mind that SAT scores and GPA come before EC activities (unless it's something that's really significant and unique to only yourself). It is not worth it to pursue 10 EC activities while sacrificing your SAT and GPA. If you find yourself in that position, consider dropping a few ECs that are not that significant for you and raise those marks.</p>

<p>Most of all, have fun in high school!! You only go through it once. Good luck!</p>

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<p>I hope nothing like that happens! I do get what oasis is saying, though, about things you can't change. For now, I'm going to try to stay safe. I also understand about effectively balancing ECs and GPA/SATs. What are some prestigious awards I can try for in the next 3 1/2 yrs?</p>

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<p>Three years of US history sounds like overkill to me too. NYS requires two years of World History and one year of US. Most kids take APUSH without any previous US history (well in our town they all had two years of US in middle school.) Senior year many kids take a history elective - AP Euro is popular. Mathson however is taking AP Economics.</p>

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<p>I would kill to take AP Euro, but unfortunatly it's not offered due to our lovely puclib school system. As a prerequisite for APUSH, you MUST take Adv. US History 1 and 2, which is kind of a bummer. The only other AP social studies course offered is Macroeconomics, but I think I'll take US based on interest, since the credits are the same.</p>

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<p>not sure if this means anything, but my bill just passed through full house/senate at the nj model congress. i don't think i'll be getting any best debater's awards, but you never know. would being a whip, party leader, or speaker of the house/senate equivalent count as an "award"? What about being a chairperson?</p>

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<p>get better test scores (that means serious practice), get leadership positions, win national level awards, get a very high gpa, take AP or IB classes, play varsity sports, win an olympic medal, take the ACT, take SAT II's, improve essay writing skills (it's never too early to start), cure cancer, get involved in the community, volunteer at the hospital, join service clubs, get involved in your school, get to know you teachers and guidance counselors (they will be writing your recommendation letters), play a musical instrument (not violin or piano if you can help it), claim African, Hispanic, or Native American ancestry, have fun, make friends (that'll help you get into leadership positions), take AP tests, score well on all standardized tests, take rigorous courses (especially in the sciences because usually the natural science courses are the most rigorous at the majority of schools), get a high class rank, have a variety of extracurricular activities, go to school dances, make memories, go over college applications and make sure that you will have the blanks filled out by the end of your junior year, improve public speaking skills, meet the president, have a relative who works at an Ivy....and much much more.</p>

<p>Most importantly, take initiative, make sure that when the time comes, you can fill your application with meaningful information, but have fun through it all, after all you only go through high school once in your life (unless you fail, or are a serial killer who pretends to be a 17 year old at the age of 30)</p>

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<p>i second whatever oasis said...but yeah, as some people have said on this thread...pick your courses wisely...i'm a senior and i applied to harvard pre-med too....i've got a total of 7 years of science (including ap bio, chem, and physics c) and only 3 years of history....yeah it might seem a bit unbalanced, but at the same time, i can't help but feel that harvard prefers those who are more focused towards a specific goal versus those who are more of the well-rounded type</p>

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<p>Please do stop stressing out, you have posted this before... really! :)
Nevertheless, I will wish you good luck (since you clearly are so dedicated) and hope you get in!!! :D</p>

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<p>you're a freshman...it's too early to be planning out your life.</p>

<p>Enjoy high school, and don't forget to have a social life.</p>

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<p>I agree, Snipeshow. You should not have your future laid out in such detail; it'll only make it feel that much worse when things don't turn out as your had hoped.</p>

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<p>I do intend on enjoying my high school years, thank you very much:) I just like to plan ahead. Unfortunatly, I'm not the least bit ethnic and play the piano (not prodigal, by any means). </p>

<p>Does alumni relation mean strictly parents? also, is it only for relatives that attended undergrad? No relatives to Ivies, but...
1 Uncle to William and Mary undergrad, Georgetown grad
2 Uncles Swarthmore undergrad
1 Uncle Carnegie Melon grad, you get the picture</p>