What are the possibilities?

[gibby]

<p>

I feel like if I get a perfect score on my SAT or ACT I’ll be able to get it, given that I apply early decision.

Look at the order of things that Harvard values
<a href=“Guidance Office: Answers From Harvard's Dean, Part 2 - The New York Times”>http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/11/harvarddean-part2/&lt;/a&gt;

We have found that the best predictors at Harvard are Advanced Placement tests and International Baccalaureate Exams, closely followed by the College Board subject tests. High school grades are next in predictive power, followed by the SAT and ACT. The writing tests of the SAT and ACT have predictive power similar to the subject tests.

Then look at the average GPA of last year’s admitted class
<a href=“The Harvard Crimson | Class of 2018 By the Numbers”>http://features.thecrimson.com/2014/freshman-survey/admissions/&lt;/a&gt;

The average self-reported unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale was 3.93. Fifty-four percent of students reported a perfect 4.0 or above

Now do the math. If you get a straight A in every course next semester, is it possible for your GPA to go from a 3.7 to a 4.0 at the end of junior year/beginning of senior year when you would apply SCEA?</p>

<p>Now, think about your teacher recommendations. In comparison to students at your high school that currently have 4.0, what will your teachers write about you? Will they proclaim that you are one of the best students they have had in their career?</p>

<p>The reality is that when you apply to college, Admissions Officers directly compare you to your peers at your high school. So, you need to enter the admissions process with your eyes wide open and realize: (1) your GPA isn’t going to go from a 3.7 to a 4.0 in one semester – it’s an impossibility, and (2) scoring a perfect score on your ACT/SAT, while helpful, is not going to push you over the fence of and by itself.</p>

<p>Look through the SCEA decision threads of this year and see for yourself: <a href=“***Official Harvard University 2019 SCEA Decisions ONLY*** - Harvard University - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/1714730-official-harvard-university-2019-scea-decisions-only-p1.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;