<p>What are my chances of getting into harvard? worried because i'm a white midwestern male applying into engineering mat sciences</p>
<p>Stats:
GPA: unweighted-3.97 (one b+ in ap spanish language) weighted 4.69
No class rank--i am in the top 5% of a very large public school (class of 1100) and its more like top one or two percent
ACT: 35
SAT: 2110 (didn't send it to colleges, chose to ride my act score)
SAT IIs: 800 math 2, 790 physics, 730 spanish
PSAT: 220--National Merit Semifinalist</p>
<p>Extracurrics:
Science Club President for 2 years member for one year. last year i created a science fair project and won best in category for engineering at regionals and the illinois state science fair...got a bunch of school awards for it
Pool Leader: teach freshman swim classes, get over 175 leadership hours every year
Green committee: senior year, also got some awards for furthering cause of high school green committee
Future Business Leaders of America: member all four years. Attended area, state, and national conferences soph year (placed third in state for business math competition). attended area and state junior year
NHS: junior and senior year
freshman mentor program: junior year...mentor freshman during lunch -- 75 community service hours
INTERNSHIP--really trying to ride this.. i have an internship at a engineering firm in my community 4 hours a week..deal with CNC equipment and control systems
Lifeguard during the summer 25-30 hours a week.</p>
<p>Essays
Should be stellar...possibly outstanding... i tried to be really creative...got help from english teacher and other adults</p>
<p>Recs
Two teachers that liked me, nothing that amazing..except my english teacher is a very well versed writer</p>
<p>I know thats a lot to consider, just give me an honest answer..thanks!</p>
<p>You should really try to emphasize your involvement with the science club and your science fair winnings (unless it’s just a very humble award) along with your internship in order to give your application that math/science direction you want to focus on in college. You have decent ec’s, but they are a pretty random assortment. Good standardized test scores and essays…and you’re from the midwest (isn’t that part of the country largely unrepresented at Harvard?). As long as you’re recs aren’t bad, I’d say you have a fair shot.</p>
<p>^ I respectfully disagree with the statement about needing to convey your “science” direction. First of all, he has not stated that he intends to study science in college though from his ECs I would conclude, like you, that that is his area of interest. Presumably his academics will show this also. He does not per se need to add more to his application in this area unless he wishes to. The essays, recommendations and interviews are there for the colleges to learn about the applicant as a person. Yes, he can write about sciences in the essay but truly he could write a quality essay about chewing bubble gum. It is what is written that is important not the topic. </p>
<p>Now the chance,
grades and rank are there
ACT and SAT IIs (same or slightly better than my daughter)
midwestern male - in your favor
essay - if they are what you say - that is good
recs - I would like to here that they had something special to say (these are very important)
interview is important - prepare well for it</p>
<p>Other than your recs, your profile fits that of students attending Harvard</p>
<p>i mentioned i was applying into engineering (specifically material sciences) and much of my EC activity deals with science club and science fair (in terms of hours per week). most of my essays focus on science as well, i see no reason to deviate from what i love</p>
<p>^ great - yes, I did miss that at the end of the first line you mentioned the engineering</p>
<p>My point was not that you can’t write about science/engineering. I was stating that you do not have to limit your essay topic to your area of academic interest. If this is your best topic, great. If you had another topic in mind, then I would not wanted you to feel that you needed to change.</p>
<p>i completely agree. thank you for the insight, comments like these that go beyond the simple “you have a good shot” or “hell no” help me make decisions for the actual application process</p>
<p>Good GPA, ECs, and ACT score. I’d say you got pretty good chances. The focus on science really helps your app. Green Committee only for your last year in high school might look a little sketchy though.</p>
<p>Actually, it was junior and senior year…i dont even think i included it on my application (if i did, it was under science club).
The green committee is a teacher/administrator run organization that i participate in. i’m actually starting a student liaison club called green team that coordinates with it. sorry for the lack of clarification</p>