This discussion was created from comments split from: Ask a current Harvard student.
By the time I graduate, I will have taken 12 AP classes.
I’m studying for the SATs and ACTs, to improve upon my unprepared score of 1890.
I’m in NHS and Orchestra Council, and am going to join Key Club, Philosophy, Chess Club, and ultimate Frisbee (possibly).
What is the college really looking for in application other than these things?
Your SAT/ACT score is currently not competitive for Harvard (but you know that) as 75% of accepted students have scores that are in excess of about 2100, so keep practicing.
Once you raise your scores, then you need to realistically look at your overall application. Right now, it seems pretty similar on paper to thousands of other students – and that’s a problem many students face. How do you make yourself standout from the crowd?
As Harvard receives so many applications from strong students with top test scores, Admissions uses a student’s essays, teacher recommendations, guidance counselor report and interview report to help them distinguish between one high-performing student and the next. Only one of those items is in your direct control, and the rest is subjective, so it’s impossible to say what any student needs for Harvard, other than a high GPA, top test scores, killer essays and teachers who go to bat for you in your letters of recommendation. See: https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/preparing-college/choosing-courses
What is your GPA? Your SAT score is below average for Harvard, and your extracurriculars are average. You need to focus on standing out in some way.
No point in doing pointless EC’s if they are empty and will never get you anywhere. Just a gigantic waste of time. Pick clubs you would join if you honestly couldn’t care less about where you were going to college and just wanted to have a good time. Because 10 times out of 10, you’ll be more successful that way. Confirmation on this, anyone?
Why do you want to go to Harvard? There are many colleges out there for you.