<p>So I went to a charter school for the first two years of my high school career. I got A's and B's and my GPA was pretty much a 3.6 to a 3.7. I co-founded the student council at my school with starting positions as a representative and then a vice president of my grade. I got honor roll my freshman year but not sophomore year because of my AP World History class. I played on the Varsity softball team both years as well as on the JV basketball team. I volunteered a lot at nursing homes and daycares, even cleaning the parks in my community. I even got a full scholarship to go to a summer program this past summer for an immersion in Spanish and for global issues. All this stopped when I got back from the program. I always had migraines but now, I started getting them to the extent that I had them nearly every single day. It was horrible. I was supposed to help with the freshmen orientation at my school but I missed some days because of the migraines. I even started missing a ton of school and because of this, I had absolutely terrible grades. I had AP classes that I was constantly confused in and a Pre-Calculus class that I needed to stay after school nearly everyday that I did go to school. Then, my mom told my brother and I that we were moving to a new city. We lived in a low-income community with minorities and my family is of latino descent but now we live in a predominantly white community. We moved a month after school started and when I was talking to my new guidance counselor, she suggested that I take easier classes since I didn't understand anything in the classes that I was supposed to take. My GPA and my grades are still terrible but now with the new medication my neurologist prescribed me, I'm going to school every day and I'm improving.
That's just with my grades though. I lost my best friend to cancer almost a year ago and I guess you can say I fell into a deep depression. It's hard when you try to mourn a friend when you have to take care of your little brother, who has ADHD, while your mom is off to doctor's appointments. My mom lost her job after she got hit with an ice machine and failed to report it. Not only does she not have a job, my dad doesn't pay child support. It's hard. Of course I had to try to be the good daughter and get good grades.
Some of you might wonder why I explained my whole life story but honestly, I need someone to tell me if I have a good chance of getting into Harvard. It's my dream. I would really appreciate it if you would al take into account everything I told you to see if I have a good chance. Thank you.</p>
<p>I’m afraid your “dream” is actually adding to your life’s pressure. Harvard isn’t a cure. It’s a college. A college with mind-numbing selectivity. 4.0GPA, +2000 SAT kids are rejected by the thousands.</p>
<p>So stop idealizing Harvard (or any other college). It will only lead to deep disappointment. You need to make an appointment and meet with your guid counselor before the year ends. Tell him/her your dreams to go to a great college. Speak frankly about your GPA and your current performance. See what your GC’s experience tells him/her about your situation. Where have others in your same situation applied and gotten in (and are affordable)? Your GC will tell you.</p>
<p>A discussion board about Harvard college is NOT where you need to be asking these questions. Good luck to you.</p>
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<p>Given your medical history, this is a question that only your guidance counselor can answer, as s/he must become your advocate in the college applications process, no matter where you apply, and write against your grades. Please speak with your GC.</p>
<p>Thank you. I know this isn’t the best place to ask these questions but my guidance counselor isn’t as helpful as I wished she was.</p>
<p>When you apply to college, your guidance counselor must submit a Secondary School Report on your behalf. Here’s an old form, but look at page 2 and all the questions that are being asked of your GC. You need to be proactive and get your GC on your side, no matter what college you apply to: <a href=“http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/documents/UG_Admissions_SecondarySchoolReport.pdf”>http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/documents/UG_Admissions_SecondarySchoolReport.pdf</a></p>