What does it take?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey, everyone, how's it going?</p>

<p>So, my dream schools are columbia, dartmouth, or harvard, all for slightly different reasons.</p>

<p>I was wondering what it might take to get into any of these schools?</p>

<p>I'm a sophomore in Lexington High School.</p>

<p>My freshman GPA (unweighted) was 3.43 mostly because i got a B- in my band class :(</p>

<p>This year, i'm doing much better and i'm getting A's and A-'s across the board. Last year, i took honors algebra II, the standard freshman english and hist. classes, Honors science, and Spanish IV honors (a junior level class).</p>

<p>This year, i'm taking AP bio, honors geometry, honors world history, and lvl 1 english. I'm also taking spanish V honors (senior level). I'm also taking lvl 1 programming. I'm getting A's in all my classes except for history, but that will be an A. </p>

<p>Anyway, in terms of EC's, i'm en route to be captain of the frisbee team (soon to be a varsity sport at my school), i did science olympiad last year, and this year i'm on the robotics team and planning to join the math team or computer science team. I also run track, and might play soccer next year. </p>

<p>I have a legacy to harvard (mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, great-grandpa, uncle) and to dartmouth (uncle). </p>

<p>In terms of extra stuff, i have 40 hours of community service so far, and i'll graduate with about 200. I've lived in the country of colombia for 1 year (e), and i have my own computer buisness (just getting started). I'm also starting to apply for jobs. </p>

<p>So, to restate my question, what do i have tom improve, what to i have to do, to make the cut of harvard, dartmouth, or columbia? Also, if i don't even have a chance, feel free to state that as well...</p>

<p>Oh, and BTW, i just took the PSAT today.</p>

2

<p>does anyone have any ideas?</p>

<p>I can summarize the whole long thing i posted above if you want…</p>

3

<p>Legacies don’t mean much at ivies unless your family donated a building or something. </p>

<p>What would be your “hook”? Your computer business? I think you’d have to demonstrate its success.</p>

<p>Your GPA is low for ivies. When will you take an ACT or SAT? those should be in the top 97 percentile at least - preferably higher.</p>

4

<p>Alright, i knew my GPA was low, but that was only freshman year… (i know it still matters)</p>

<p>Anyway, i think my GPA this year will be like a 3.6, and my hook was going to be living in colombia, but that was in 8th grade, so i don’t know. I’m also thinking of doing a big community service project next year, so idk…</p>

5

<p>Usually, Ivies look for a combination of high grades and a “hook”, so to speak. </p>

<p>Since you are a sophomore, you have plenty of time to find that “hook” for yourself. Or make one for yourself. It’s all about marketing yourself properly to the adcom.</p>

<p>But, it all starts with doing well in school, of course.</p>

6

<p>Oh, and, i read in a few places, i remember specifically a book called “Getting into the elite school of your choice” that my high school (Lexington High School) has some kind of connection to harvard so that a lot of kids from my HS go there…It was mentioned in the same sentence as some prep school in virgina, so i’m not sure if that is a big factor that will help me or not really a factor at all…</p>

7

<p>Your high school will not help you get into an elite school on its own. While it could possibly tip the scales in your favor (for example, more people are accepted to Harvard from Boston Latin School than any other high school), you are really accepted to such universities on your own merit alone.</p>

<p>There are no shortcuts to Harvard, or any elite school, for that matter. Your legacies will not help you, nor will your so-called “connection” to Harvard from your high school. So, work hard if you really want to get into the top schools. And even then, there remains the high possibility that you will still be flat-out rejected.</p>

<p>Getting into a top school shouldn’t be the highest priority goal in your life. Don’t let the facade of “prestige” allow you to forget other great (albeit lower ranked) schools, too.</p>

8

<p>Ok, thats what i though, but what does it mean by “connections”?</p>

<p>I’m not letting it be the goal of my life, just wondering how much i would have to do to have a high chance of getting in.</p>

9

<p>If you want to increase your chances, do the following:</p>

<ol>
<li>Get a high GPA and take as many AP courses as you can.</li>
<li>Get a high SAT score.</li>
<li>Write a fantastic essay.</li>
<li>Get really involved with a few ECs here and there.</li>
</ol>

<p>And even still, there is no guarantee that you will make it.</p>

10

<p>Bring a legacy is a hook. You are clearly a major legacy at Harvard. An uncle does not make you a legacy at Dartmouth though.</p>

<p>Get your GPA as high as you can, get great scores an find an activity that you have real passion for and take it as far as you can. Don’t fall into the trap of joining 14 clubs, do one thing to national/international level success.</p>

11

<p>zippzom - Correct me if my statement about Lexington does not fit what you believe. Lexington, like a number of other public school systems in the state, have a particular level of academic reputation. When I was growing up Lexington, Winchester, Andover were a few of these towns. Because of this reputation, the transcripts the applicants from these schools is respected and those schools have an excellent track record with acceptances into the top schools (This is part of the reason that property values in those towns are so high). That is the good news. The bad news is that, similar to a private high school, you probably have more fellow students applying to these elite colleges. When your application is reviewed by colleges, they will be reviewing you in part in the context of your school. That large volume of high achieving peers can overcome the fact that your school has a higher acceptance rate. You need to stand out 1) In the application pool to the college 2) within the pool of students from your school applying 3) any other subgroup you happen to be (race, geography, ec’s etc). Elite colleges look for a diverse student body.</p>

<p>Now my comments on you…
I am not yet concerned about your GPA. It that one B- from your freshman year remains as your only non-A/A- it will slowly impact your GPA less and less.</p>

<p>I think what would help you to understand your situation is to look at the credentials of those accepted to top schools from LHS. What were their scores, rank, GPA, academic rigor? If you are comparable then that is good. If not then that tells you the areas in which you need to work.</p>

<p>As for your legacy status, it will not get you in if you are not qualified, but it will not hurt you.</p>