I’m not sure if this is the right forum, but I’m hoping one of you guys can help me out. I am planning on applying to Stanford, Harvard and Yale next fall and I was just wondering if it is at all possible for me to get into any of those schools. I got straight A’s in the most advanced courses my freshman year and my junior year (4 APs) so far, however my sophomore year, I received a D in AP Biology, along with a few more Bs that year. I got a 2310 on my SAT (one sitting) and I got a 780 on my SAT II Biology E and an 800 on my SAT II Math 2. Along with those, I have 75 hours of elementary and summer school tutoring, and 200 hours of volunteer work at the hospital and the Boys and Girls Club. I have organized 2 blood drives, received the Eagle Scout award and have been a section leader in my band for three years and have been a member of NHS this year and will be next year. I have been employed for a few months and I am a member of the Spanish Club. Those are my extracurricular highlights, but I do have more. What I’m really asking is that will one D and those few Bs destroy my admissions chances at these elite schools? Thank you so much!
In my personal opinion, I think that sophomore year is really going to hurt you. Your SATs are great for all three schools, but your sophomore year and pretty average ECs won’t help and definitely can hurt you. You have to consider this. Do you really think you can get into these schools? The people getting into these schools do absolutely amazing stuff inside and outside of school. If you feel you’ve done amazing stuff inside and outside of school, than apply.
Agree, your ECs are good but don’t have the ‘pop’ or unusual nature that help a lot with those schools. Your D isn’t going to help at all, and you don’t seem to have anything that really overcomes that.
Why don’t you give an honest account of your academics, your other posts list that you have different stats. One time you SAT is 2150 and now its 2310? Also your extra curricular hours and GPA are changing every time. I don’t think you can get a 3.88 unweighted GPA with a D and few more B’s
Both my parents went to Columbia and I have family members that went to harvard. From speaking to them and my knowledge, you really need to have a strong hook. Be it a recruited athlete, an underrepresented minority, legacy statues, or extreme unusual academic excellence (Intel Semifinalist, Valedictorian, etc.) You should really try to aim for UCal, Stony Brook, or Amherst type collges (little Ivies) as an ED, even there you need to have a really good “hook” good luck
If you really want to get into Harvard, I can offer you some advice though. Take a “gap year” inbetween high school and college, and then you can significantly increase your chances. During this year, pursue one of your “passions” that you have demonstrated during high school and do something really special. Still, apply to one of the schools or similar as an EA (instead of ED) and defer enrollment or admission (so you have a safety). When you get around to applying to harvard, you can aim for the advanced standing program, where you could graduate in 3 years. BUT WHATEVER YOU DO DO NOT TRY TO TRANSFER, this will be extremely difficult if you plan to actually make it in… Good Luck Again
I don’t see how you would have a 3.88 UW with a D and a few B’s. Maybe it’s possible, but I can’t think off the top of my head how a D and a few B’s could be redeemed up till a 3.88 UW.
Anyways, we can’t do any chancing until a real SAT is given (unless this is the final one you will be sending to colleges).
Overall, I don’t see a real “pop” EC, so your chances are as good as any other 65th percentile applicant.
Offtopic: @iambrutus You’re a freshman and you’re giving advice? No offense, but you’re not really in a position to give advice to anybody.
Taking a gap year so you can shoot for HYPS is silly. There are tons of other great schools. Go ahead and apply to them as reaches if you want. But also spend time working on a solid match and safety list as well, as you are MUCH more likely to end up at one of those schools.
The D and B’s, along with the lack of EC’s at the level Harvard wants them, means it’s basically out of reach. Focus on the other colleges (reach, match, safeties) and if you have time throw those in but forget about them.