Would I ever have a chance at Harvard?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Should I bother applying?</p>

<p>White female from suburban Detroit; middle/high income; medium public HS (one of the top in MI)
Intended major: engineering or premed</p>

<p>ACT: 31, SAT: 2030 (reading is my downfall! still, I've improved, and I'm hoping to improve more so I can get a 34+ and a 2200+...say I get at least these scores by the time I apply; by the way, these were my only tries on both these tests)
SAT IIs: Math II and Physics (will take in June) - should ace</p>

<p>GPA: 3.71 UW (most rigorous courseload possible)
APs: 8 total - USH, Euro, Lang, Calc BC, Physics, Lit, Gov, French</p>

<p>ECs: 3 years Yearbook (2 years Editor-in-Chief), 3 years Varsity Forensics, 2 years FIRST Robotics, 4 years tennis, Interact/International Clubs
Honors/Awards: 2 years NHS, always on Principal's List, President's Service Award
Summer Activities: lots of volunteering, journalism camp at MSU 2 years</p>

<p>Volunteering: 250+ hours; notably extensive relief work in Detroit (leader) for 2 summers, camp counselor for 4 summers, hospitals, tutoring
Work: 6 years babysitting, 2 years lifeguarding</p>

<p>Essays: should be a highlight of my application (I'm a good writer)
Recs: Honors/AP Physics teacher, AP Lang teacher, Yearbook advisor = most likely good. Counselor = who knows? She just came to my school this year (junior year)</p>

<p>Thank you! I know it'd be a reach. :)</p>

2

<p>Come on people! Please!? Any input/advice is appreciated!!!</p>

3

<p>Who knows? Look, I just got waitlisted with a math SAT score that I thought would get my app automatically tossed in the reject pile. I don’t pretend to understand this process at all, but I would advise you to apply RD next year after making sure you get straight A’s your first semester. What’s your rank, btw? </p>

<p>Regardless, definitely bother applying, it can’t hurt!</p>

4

<p>Your SAT is higher than mine and I got waitlisted. Look, stats are important, but you’re still competitive. Apply.</p>

<p>The only 100% chance of not getting in is not to apply.</p>

5

<p>^Which SAT score is higher? My first one (2030) or the one I plan to study hard enough to get?</p>

<p>Thanks guys! I think I will. I’d probably spend a lot of time wondering if they would’ve seen something special in me if I don’t apply. My school doesn’t rank, but definitely top 25%, probably top 10%.</p>

6

<p>it’s interesting that you say you’re a good writer but not a good reader. I always thought they went hand in hand.
is it just reading on the SAT? or in general?</p>

7

<p>Ohh not at all. I’m amazing at spelling, grammar, and basically writing a good paper. And while I can read, I guess I’m just slower than most people. I probably could arrive at the correct answers if given extended time, but obviously that’s not the case. I always find myself getting it down to two possible answers (normally, one being the actual correct answer) and choosing the wrong one, especially when the questions about the text are subjective. I do fine in my Literature classes, so I guess it’s just SAT.</p>

8

<p>I also found the good writer/bad reader combo interesting.</p>

<p>As for chances- what will make your or break you are your essays and your recommendation letters (and I think this applies to nearly everyone). From the list above, your extra-curriculars do no look spectacular (don’t get me wrong, they’re more impressive than those of most people out there, but this is Harvard). However, it’s all about how you communicate your relationship with those activities. For example, someone who can write an incredible essay about why playing with his tiny indie rock band is the most important part of his life could end up being in a better position, admission wise, than someone who can write down “X Club Founder + President, Nation wide membership, raised $xxxxx.xx” and then ignore such achievements in his/her essays/prompts/whatever.</p>

<p>And, work on your stats.</p>

9

<p>The yearbook is state-awarded; I’m a state finalist for Forensics; and I started/am president of a club that mentors freshmen. I was gonna write my essay on helping Detroit and how humbling it can be, coming from a much more well-off background. I might do research this summer too…</p>