<p>I'm really worried because it is almost certain I will not be Valedictorian. I keep trying so hard but there are just a few geniuses in my class I can't possibly beat! They'll most likely apply to Harvard too...what if they get accepted and not me?
If I had to guess my ranking, I'd say 7-9th in my class. However, I do go to one of the best College Prepatory schools on the east coast...does that change anything? My GPA is around a 4.1-2, I am Asian American, and I will have a four year varsity sailing letter (my school ranked #1 in the country for hs sailing) does Harvard care about sailing??? I'm desperate here! Will they care if I haven't finished calculus by the time I graduate? I just don't understand math and that's what's keeping my GPA down. I can't finish BC I'll fail it, I just know it.
I'm still a sophomore so I haven't taken my SATS but I got a 2000 on the PSAT and I will study and do nothing else this summer until I get at least a 2300, so I'm not worried about that. I will study and study and study...also I do mock trial, did orchestra, went to Scripps' National Spelling Bee and have won 2 writing awards from Scholastic...I know my credentials are great but my fear is eating me inside because I'll never be Valedictorian of my class, and aside from sailing, if you count that as a sport, I'm not athletic. I'm scared Harvard will take the top two or something from my class (EVERYONE in my school applies there) and I won't get selected. What do you think, will I make it? :(</p>
<p>calm down.</p>
<p>There’s no reason you need to go to Harvard. If you’re focused on the school just because of the prestige associated with the name, then you’re focused on the wrong school for the wrong reasons. Why is it you want to go to Harvard so badly?</p>
<p>If you fail a class, even BC Calculus, realistically your chances will decrease significantly. If you’re recruited for athletics (I don’t know if Harvard recruits for sailing, I’d assume so) then you have very good chances. When you’re a junior, get into contact with the sailing/athletic coach and see what your chances of being recruited are. </p>
<p>As a note, top tier schools don’t only take the top two kids from each school. My school had about 8-10 kids get into ivy level schools early this past year and only two were in the top 5% or so of my school (I’m not sure if I was even in top 10%). Only one is a valedictorian.</p>
<p>Breathe…</p>
<p>Dont let your high school years go by with this kind of stress. Do the best you can while still enjoying your teen years. Study hard, play hard. The right University will come along.</p>
<p>You probably won’t get accepted to Harvard, because your credentials aren’t that great. However, it is incorrect for you to think that Harvard accepts applicants solely upon GPA and class rank. Do you have any idea why you want to go to Harvard? No? Try learning about some other universities that interest you for reasons beyond prestige.</p>