What say you?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Hi there, I’m directing this thread at anyone who knows anything which can help me.</p>

<p>I’m 17, in Yr 13(Senior) in London, UK and was wondering how likely I am to gain a place at Harvard. I’ve posted scores and grades below:</p>

<p>GCSEs : 10 A*s, 2As, 1B
A2 levels: Biology(A), Maths(A)
A2 levels predicted: French(A), Chemistry(A), Further Maths(A)
AS levels: Critical Thinking
(If the above is meaningless, I've got results that put me in "the top 1% of the student body" (120 in my year) and in "the top 0.1% of the population")
That's what my reference says anyway ;P</p>

<p>ACT Score: 31</p>

<p>SAT II Score: 2130
Math II : 740
Biology M: 700
French: 690</p>

<p>I sat the SAT & ACT at the last sitting so wasn’t able to redo them. Harvard has let me know that they have received all the necessary documents, and I've been called to Interview this Wednesday by someone with a very impressive resume.</p>

<p>I've also 4 undergraduate credits in Neurobiology from the Harvard SS (B(b)).</p>

<p>Total Hours Volunteered = 1600+
• Astronomy Tutor (Founder of Astronomy Soc.)
• Special Needs School Carer
• Editor of “The Chronicles” (School Journal)
• School Prefect
• French Learning Mentor
• Science College Aide
• Library Assistant </p>

<p>Work Experience
Jun 2008 – Aug 2008 – Ramachandra Hospital, India
Jul 2007 – Foyer Logement du Plumelieu, France
Nov 2006 – May 2007 – Ethel Davis Special Needs School
May 2005 – Radiology Dept. North Middlesex University Hospital</p>

<p>I do not wish to bore you with other insignificant details ;P... So...</p>

<p>What are my chances? I’ve applied for Life/Natural Sciences by the way.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance,</p>

<p>s18may</p>

2

<p>Just had the interview and it was quite informal - lasted more than an hour!! This is apparently the norm for Harvard Interviews - I swear Imperial sent me away after about 6 mins. I prefer the American-style interview! It took place in Starbucks and my interviewer was really nice and friendly. I'm not so sure it did me any good application wise but it was really fun nonetheless. It was really nice of him to give up time as a volunteer, don't you think?</p>

3

<p>I say more people will read this if you post it in the general Harvard forum instead of the 2012 subforum. No one really frequents this place yet.</p>

<p>As far as chances go, you look like you're in good shape. Scores are maybe a little less than average, but you're from the UK, so that probably makes a difference. Anyway, not much you can do now; just sit tight and wait.</p>

<p>And yes, Harvard interviewers are pretty great, aren't they?</p>

4

<p>Great... I was beginning to think I was invisible! Thanks, you're the silver lining I'd hoped for. ;D</p>

<p>I'll see if I can repost but, I agree in that nothing can be done to gauge chances 'til April... but the waiting game is my least favourite kind. I would contact a moderator to ask them to move the thread if I could, but I think, now you mention it, I prefer my niched and closeted existence to being thrown out to the crowd ;-) </p>

<p>I know 2130 isn't good but I thought 31 in the ACT was promising. I'm not sure if you were taking a dig at the intelligence or aptitudes of the British when you said "but you're from the UK." I'll debate that one internally, I think ;D</p>

5

<p>When you convert the scores, I think a 2130 converts to a 32, which would actually mean your SAT score is better then your ACT score. But they are combarable scores, depending on whose conversion you use.</p>

<p>And I'm sorry, I don't know too well how the international student system works.</p>

6

<p>I didn't know the scores could be interconverted. I'd have thought 2130 was less than 32, given that the score report says that 31 puts one in the 98th percentile!!!</p>

<p>Wierd - I used to like numbers ;P</p>

<p>s18may</p>

7

<p>Actually, the 2130 can't be converted since it's from the SAT IIs. Generally, you only add up the Math, Reading, and Writing sections of the SAT I for comparison against the ACT.</p>

<p>I'd say that the rest of your stats would make you quite competent in the American pool of applicants, but I get the impression that internationals have a harder time getting in, but I don't know to what degree. Sorry I'm not of more help.</p>

<p>Oh, and as for VFrizz's comment about UK test scores, I just took it as a cultural difference between the two countries, not a blow at intelligence or aptitude. In the U.S., we're "taught to the test," with every teacher always making comments about "this is something that could appear on the SAT" and test prep up the wazoo. The UK, I imagine, probably doesn't have such extensive and integrated preparation for a test that few students take. Really, it's a test of being familiar with the test as much as it is a test of knowledge (and the latter part is debatable anyway).</p>

8

<p>I think you really are qualified to get into Harvard. Good luck! Personally, I'd stay at home at Imperial College. But that's just my opinion.</p>

<p>By the way, in the US some of the activities you mentioned are not actually considered volunteering - like editor of the paper or prefect.</p>

9

<p><a href="http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/highered/ra/sat/satACT_concordance.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/highered/ra/sat/satACT_concordance.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>General score conversion from the CB.</p>

10

<p>^</p>

<p>"SAT II Score: 2130
Math II : 740
Biology M: 700
French: 690"</p>

<p>I believe the 2130 the OP was talking about is referring to his/her 3 combined SAT II scores (and not the SAT I)</p>

11

<p>s18may, haha, I actually basically meant what Jen98 said. No offense intended!!!</p>

12

<p>"The UK, I imagine, probably doesn't have such extensive and integrated preparation for a test that few students take." ~Jen98</p>

<p>Preparation!! What Preparation??? ;D We have a really old text book on the SATs in the Library (& I mean so old, I fear it will deteriorate as I hold it) ;D</p>

<p>"Good luck! Personally, I'd stay at home at Imperial College. But that's just my opinion." ~sf49rox</p>

<p>Thanks... alot!! I really don't fancy my chances but was wondering why you think I should stay home at Imperial. Will you let me know? I guess the things I do may not be considered voluntary, but I didn't have to do it, i.e. chose to do them voluntarily ;D EDIT: Hold on... How do you know I got an offer from Imperial? I don't remember posting that online!! Do I know you? ;S <em>He looks out of the window, paranoid</em> ;P</p>

<p>"I believe the 2130 the OP was talking about is referring to his/her 3 combined SAT II scores (and not the SAT I)" ~laststopforme</p>

<p>I was but who's this "OP" you refer too?</p>

<p>"s18may, haha, I actually basically meant what Jen98 said. No offense intended!!!" ~VFrizz</p>

<p>None taken - I was just kidding ;D If only you knew what the British say about American Intelligence (or the lack thereof) -well that just shows how much they know ;D <em>I apologise on their behalf</em> Really Really Sorry ;P</p>