The current definition of Under Represented Minorities (URM’s) are US citizen’s who are African Americans, Mexican-Americans, Native Americans (American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians), Pacific Islanders, and mainland Puerto Ricans. Asian Americans are NOT considered URM’s.
All these students have 2200+ SAT, or the ACT equivalent: Post #15 (white female), post #16 (asian female), Post #19 (asian male), post #31 (asian male), post #33 (asian female), #48 (asian male), #51 (white male), #53 (white male), #55 (white male), #59 (white male), #61 (asian female), #64 (asian female), post #68 (asian male)
^^ I just looked at first three posts you listed and the scores were ACT 35, SAT 2390, and ACT 36, respectively. I guess I am missing your point @gibby.
@Falcoln1: Maybe I misinterpreted verizonwireless’s comment, but I thought they could not find any student admitted with a 2200 who was not unhooked or a URM. Hence, I listed students who had 2200+ SAT or the equivalent ACT who seemed as though they were NOT urm’s.
The average admittee with less than 100k in family income had less than a 2200 average. The average athlete at Harvard had about a 2075 for the class of 2018. What is the point of this?
The OP has a 95 GPA with a 1900 SAT, attends a Yeshiva, where the ACT/SAT is not emphasized or mentioned and doesn’t have the financial resources for anything other than self-studying. The school probably doesn’t publish a traditional high school profile because they have 8 student’s in their graduating class and have never sent a kid to Harvard, or to any other selective college for that matter. In the graduating class of eight students, seven usually goes off Israel, and one goes to a community college. And the OP wants to know what SAT score is “good enough” for him to get into Harvard. I’m trying to be positive, but I just don’t see it happening without a miracle from YHVH!
@florida26 wgere did you find those numbers? And how does harvard see your income , I thought they were need blind… And @gibby, Ofcourse people can get into harvard with scores of 23-2400 but it’s VERY rare to see a kid with a 2100-2200 get into harvard … That’s why I can’t really imagine anyone doing that
@verizonwireless: Harvard’s 25th percentile ACT score is a 32 (2140 SAT), but many of those students may not be on College Confidential. And the prevailing wisdom is that the majority of students with scores at the 25th percentile are URM’s, legacy’s or recruited athletes. So, you’re correct. If you are an unhooked, white jewish kid from a Yeshiva with a 95 GPA, you’re chances of getting into Harvard with less than a 2200 are minimal.
@gibby , I don’t go to a RAMAZ type yeshiva … I go to an ULTRA ORTHODOX yeshiva… I took thw. Lst advanced course load , most Ecs and aps. INSAINELY GOOD RECS!! And Im a junior … I can still get my sat up
^^ Then, may I suggest you leave College Confidential for a while and spend the time studying for that SAT, as you will need a 2200+ to be admitted. Best of luck to you!
" I took thw. Lst advanced course load , most Ecs and aps. INSAINELY GOOD RECS!! And Im a junior,"
These things will help you in your application. But they’re not going to compensate for an SAT that’s 300+ points lower than average. To have a competitive application (which means something more than a 5% chance of admission - that’s all), you need to seriously boost your standardized test score, either by significantly improving your SAT or getting a top score on the ACT.
Besides doing what you can to improve your test scores, also consider more closely other options other than Harvard or similar schools. Harvard isn’t right for everyone. It isn’t only about getting in. It’s also about being able to succeed at the place. If, ultimately, you’re unable to dramatically improve your test scores, it’s probably not right for you. Harvard’s not an easy school, academically. Here’s a recent article from the Crimson:
I’ll tell you that both my sons, who went to a pretty good high school, both experiences some of this at Harvard. Both my sons worked very, very hard in high school, but both had to turn it up an order of magnitude when they got to Harvard. There is a reason why Harvard is academically as selective as it is.
@verizonwireless those numbers came from the Harvard Crimson. Not everyone who makes under 100k is a URM. But what everyone says is true you need to do something special like date Taylor Swift or have a school named after your family if your SAT is 1900
In addition to working on your standardized test score, you would be well served to have a school administrator (whoever will be writing your recommendation) attend some sort of training. The quality of your teacher and GC recommendations could seriously tank an otherwise good application. This is not an errand that demands 95% or even 98% precision. Your supporters really have to nail it.
That is so true, especially as the OP’s school has never sent a student to Harvard or to any other selective college. Many of the feeder schools for HYPSM, for example, have teacher training sessions for writing letters of recommendation that are actually taught by Admissions Officers at those schools. As LoR’s are so important – especially from a school that Harvard does not know – you don’t want your school administrator or teacher to accidentally torpedo your application: http://marymountcollegeadmissionblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/when-recommendations-attack-worst.html
Based upon the above quote from the OP, the time has come to close this thread. At this point, we’re spinning in circles. Please feel free to take all the excellent advice that has been given, and report back once you’ve raised your SAT scores.