This discussion was created from comments split from: Last minute help from a Harvard student.
just wondering if i would be a likely candidate for harvard. act: 35; gpa: 4.25; 6th in class; president of national honor society; vice president of beta club; successful speech and debater; took many AP courses; come from very poor background; single parent home; from mississippi; not applying early decision; average AP scores (3-4);
@mhuff7716: “viable” sure. “Likely”? Very few can reach that plateau. If it interests you, apply. GL
lookingforward I dont think anyone flunks out of Harvard The hard part is getting in not staying there. Mhuff If you are very poor and from Mississippi with an ACT of 35 Harvard will take a very long look at you
@mhuff7716 SAT?
Stanford has a nice article in their alumni magazine you should read. Both Stanford and Harvard reject 95% of students, many of them with your stats: https://alumni.stanford.edu/get/page/magazine/article/?article_id=66225.
Bottom line: You can’t win a lottery if you dot buy a ticket! So, you have to apply and find out. GL!.
What do you bring to the Harvard campus?
And why is Harvard a fit for you?
we dont really take the sat in the south. and i since harvard takes both, i feel comfortable with my act score.
@mhuff7716 did u take sat subjects? How rigorous was your course load compared to ur peers? Any significant national/state awards? How involved are u in debate? In order to have a better chance thread look at the other chance threads and use the format. Gl!
I’ve attended the admissions brief and tour. The presenter was down to earth and helpful. The bottom line was as stated, many highly qualified students are rejected because they simply do not have space. He was also upfront they aren’t going to make perfect decisions. Being rejected does mean a student isn’t qualified. The second part of the message is don’t self-select yourself to be rejected by default because you didn’t apply. Take a chance and apply! You never know. You may get in.
@Sportsman88 your first comment is right on. Your 2nd – I have problems with that. If a person can’t discern what it is to be viable for a college that rejects 95% and can’t compare his/her stats to a snapshot of admitted students, then all they’re doing is fueling a reality-disengaged fantasy.
I recruit for a Harvard peer — I never blanketly invite people to apply. I think that’s AWFUL advice.
@T26E4 I see your point. I was interpreting it in the context of an applicant who has scores, GPA, etc. at least at the medium for the school. Thanks for the reply.
Scores and GPA in range ensure your application should be reviewed.
Without the rest to make you stand out you would still be a long shot