Who Would You Accept?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Hi! This is a kind of an experiment to see what you guys think colleges look for in an applicant. I'll be putting down the stats of two "applicants" and see which one you guys would accept if you were an admissions officer at Harvard (or any other Ivy). </p>

<p>Assume both applicants are females living in the Middle East. </p>

<p>/</p>

<p>Applicant 1</p>

<p>-GPA: 3.98
-SAT I: 2370
-SAT II: 780 Chem, 780 Math II
-Course Load:
IB HL Math
IB HL Chemistry
IB HL English
IB SL Economics
IB SL Spanish
IB SL Physics
(IB is generally considered more difficult than AP; please don't eat me, this is what I garnered from forums discussing this.) </p>

<p>-Third in class</p>

<p>-Scholastic Art and Writing Award Winner
-President of school literary magazine
-Started service project at school helping local handicapped
-Runs semi-popular blog reviewing books
-Been in school productions/ directed one
-Volunteered with Girl Scouts for three years
-Cross country team for four years
-National Merit Semifinalist
-National Honor Society Member
-Raised money for educating poor teens in Africa</p>

<p>/</p>

<p>Applicant 2</p>

<p>-GPA: 4.0
-SAT I: 2400
-SAT II: 800 Chem, 800 Math II
-Course Load:
IB HL Business
IB HL Chemistry
IB HL English
IB SL Math
IB SL Spanish
IB SL Physics</p>

<p>-Valedictorian</p>

<p>-President of archery club
-Secretary for MUN club
-National Honor Society member
-Chosen for Global Young Leaders conference
-Track and field team for four years
-Volunteered in local hospital
-National Merit Semifinalist
-Raised money for UNICEF</p>

<p>/</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>It would probably come down to essays and teacher recommendations. The two profiles you created are both amazing and would receive consideration. Admissions wants to see initiative and passion. Short answer: nobody knows.</p>

3

<p>^^ I agree. FWIW: Several years back, when my son was applying to colleges, HYP all passed over the valedictorian in the class and admitted students with lower GPA’s and test scores. It all comes down the “feeling” an Admissions Director gets after reading an applicant’s recommendations and essays.</p>