<p>"Granted, Harvard accepts great applicants, but the formula is not that simple."</p>
<p>Amen to that.</p>
<p>Mcz, I think you have school profiles for that? You can compose one and get it authorized if there isn't one already. At least that's the way I perceive it. Correct me if I 'm wrong. Every school website indicates that more explanation on your school's marking system is highly welcome.</p>
<p>I know i’m late for this discussion but there are three seniors from my old high school coming to Harvard next year and one of them had a 3.9 GPA a 1680 on his SAT’s but had a good interview.
You can’t really just say that somebody is going to get in just because they have really good grades. I’m positive that Harvard would much rather take a person with a slightly lower academic record and who is actually human versus the robot of a being who has a 4.8 and a 2200 on his SAT’s…</p>
<p>I got into Harvard and I had no outstanding EC’s, I come from a tiny public school in Western NY that has never sent a kid to Harvard and doesn’t even have EC’s, I have normal (for Harvard) SATI’s, and I got two 740’s and a 700 on my three top subject tests. Apparently I’m odd? I’m also not a legacy, athletic recruit, URM, or anything else that would make me more desirable than the next kid.</p>
<p>I got in with a few B’s and a C in math and science courses, but I took 12 AP’s by the end of my senior year and am a Government major. My SAT was a 1450 (old SAT). I had a really extensive resume though since I’m really involved in the community. Everyone is going to have high test scores and good grades–to get in I’d suggest you follow a passion and set yourself apart from the typical applicant.</p>
<p>mcz - Your guidance councilor is supposed to submit a school profile with your transcript.</p>
<p>PS Post #1000!!</p>
<p>Harvard Alum '98 is a ■■■■■.</p>
<p>if i have a somewhat low gpa due to freshman year, but still have great scores and an amzing resume do i still have a chance into harvard?</p>
<p>Thanks for necro-revivaling the thread 5 years old.</p>
<p>^re-necroing… already happened in 2009!</p>
<p>If you have lower GPA or lower test scores, techinically, it is not a kiss of death.</p>
<p>But …</p>
<p>Harvard and other Ivies reject about 1000 valedectorians each. If you have lower GPA or lower test scores, you better have something else (extraordinary life experience, a good essay, excellent reccomendations and ECs and portray your personality and vision in all your writing pieces) so profound that the adcoms are persuaded to choose you over one of tose 1000 valedectorians.</p>
<p>Also, a peculiar thing about Harvard. Most Ivies look for well-rounded. Harvard looks for well-rounded as well as well-lobsided. So some pluggers (those that can get great grades, but have not much else) and some low-score applicants that are extraordinary at something else do get-in, albeit in small numbers.</p>
<p>so, if I have two Bs in English and a B in Physics, does that permanently hose me over, even if I improved to an A?</p>
<p>I applyed for harvards summer school program as a high schooler and was accepted. I don’t know what to expect and I’m nervous. What two classes would you recommend for me to take that will give me a taste of what harvard is like? Also, can you explain to me in detail what to expect in harvard classes and how to be successful (B, B+, A) in them? </p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>So if I have a 3.2 as of Junior year and I get like a 2300 SAT…then what?
Plus i’m Nigerian, born there
been in Cambridge Program 2 years then switched schools and did AP?
What would my chances be?</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone except the Harvard Admissions Officers know exactly how Harvard “rates” each part of your application.
My brother is at Harvard : 2300+ SATs, 4.2 GPA, Captn of 2 Varsity teams but NOT a recruited athlete, Editor-in-chief of newspaper, Natl Language awards, started small business, had 2 great interviews. We are not URM or development potential. BUT, we live in a highly-represented urban area and attend private school so we have had more opportunities than some of his classmates at Harvard. His Harvard friends come from a wide range of backgrounds and locations and they all seem to have really “stood out” during their high school years.</p>
<p>I don’t claim to know how Harvard decides but from my limited experience, my brother is awesome and really stood out among his high school classmates and his friends seem to have that same quality, though the ways in which they stood out vary greatly.</p>