<p>Note, I am not usually a negative person, nor do I say self demeaning things to get sympathy, I am trying to be clear headed.</p>
<p>After reading many CC threads, stats, Harvard publications, and everything else, I am finding it hard to understand why I applied in the first place. I know CC has high standards but that in no way dismisses the amazing achievements of almost every applicant. It completely blows away any standing I may have. </p>
<p>So I am trying to be realistic with myself and getting prepared for that letter. I would like to think I have a chance, but am happy to go to any of my colleges.
And I am in no way demeaning Harvard for whatever their choice may be, they know best.</p>
<p>Tell me there are others that feel this way. :)</p>
<p>I don't want this to be a chance me thread, but I'll give you the general stuff,
I also agree with you that I might never have known yes or no if I hadn't applied.</p>
<p>Well,
GPA 3.6/4 (rough Junior year, explained family issue in optional essay)
Rank 24/282 (Idk, there are people that have not taken half of my course load that are higher)
SAT: 710 CR, 750 W, 780 M
SAT II: 780 M2, 680 Chem, 640 Lit</p>
<p>ECs
Extracurriculars
- National Honor Society (3 years- the usual)
- Math Team (3 years- go figure)
- Model United Nations
---Page (1st year)
---Delegate for Saudi Arabia (2 years)
---Delegate for Pakistan (1 year)
-------Chair of the Geneva Convention Committee
- Capitol Forum, Watson Institute Debate, US Foreign Policy- I was on Nuclear Weapons
- Orchestra - Violin (6 years - never got any awards though)
- Vice President- Junior Year
- Kent County Hospital Intern
- URI Biotechnology Intern- studied switchgrass as an alternate fuel source
- Naval Undersea Warfare Center Intern, Division Newport
---Worked in and assisted Unmanned Surface Vehicle Department
- Sales Associate- Staples (summer and school)
- Invisible Children (provide aid to Ugandan Children)
- Visited and assisted orphanages in Kenya (summer)
- SAT Tutor
- Active and helpful member in my Islamic Center</p>
<p>My essays
- One on how I have coped with being a Muslim in the US
- One on how I love to problem solve, my passion I guess
- Another on my family history
- Another explaining family issues (Junior year)</p>
<p>Recs were solid, as was the interview</p>
<p>As you can see, (I overdid myself :)), I am not the usual 3.9-4 guy, with near perfect SATs, and top 5. I did take the most rigorous course load, and I had some interference last year.</p>
<p>I am hoping this doesn't turn into one of my famous self assurance threads, so I am just looking for opinions, and if other people feel this way.</p>
<p>You're right kwu, I think the excitement is well worth it. I guess when one applies they must acknowledge that they very well could be rejecting, and not be so assuming.</p>
<p>I know what your feeling, i applied to Harvard with confidence because i have always been the best amongst my classmates, but here on CC i see all of these other students stats who are just better that i am...i know that stats are not everything but they sure do help. My only advice is to make yourself fall in love with your second choice. (knowing that I am not getting accepted was buffered but the fact that Dartmouth is my first choice and I've already received my LL).</p>
<p>At least you're unique (Muslim/MUN/Kenya stuff). I think you have a better chance than me even though I have nearly perfect academics - nothing unique :(</p>
<p>I wish I had known before I came on to CC how much ECs and things you can't control (race, legacy, income etc) mattered. Ugh 5 more days till the rejection letter - I have so many regrets.</p>
<p>I wish I had applies to more schools that were matches. But expenses were a top priority so I applied to easy state schools, and of course the $35bn rich Harvard.</p>
<p>Flutterfly, thats makes me feel better, I know its unfair sometimes, like how some people have connections and all, but I really tried to sell that diversity thing to them.</p>
<p>My family, over the last 100 years, migrated from India/Pakistan, to Kenya/Uganda, to the US, so there has been a lot of cultural influence. I like how H gives the option of listing your languages. Harvard seems to be that kind of school that looks deeper into applicants. But thats no excuse for bad grades.</p>
<p>yeah expenses were a huge problem for me, but because my family income is so love i qualify for free tuition at all the ivies so in actuality harvard and dartmouth are the cheapest for me.</p>
<p>Yep. I'm pretty darn sure I'm not getting accepted. As a loyal Yale hopeful, I wasn't even going to apply to Harvard, but then I was like, Hey--I've got nothing to lose. Plus, I'd spend the rest of my life wondering whether I might have.</p>
<p>i also don't think i'll be getting that acceptance letter but i think we will all be surprised at some of the people that get in...all hope is not lost!</p>
<p>Whenever I see who got accepted in the class 0f 2011, it seems to me that below a certain GPA, SAT, Rank will bar you from acceptance. As if there has been no one with a 3.5 accepted, or no one not in the top five accepted, etc.</p>
<p>I think people overrate the regret: "If I didn't apply I would spend the rest of my life..."</p>
<p>Ehhh. Maybe. I personally think most of us would forget about Harvard as soon as we started college. </p>
<p>I mean, most of us will be doing more important things with our lives than wondering whether we got into Harvard.
That said, I was firmly against applying until my best fwend got in and is now going. She was supposed to go to Columbia!! What a plan ruiner.</p>