Do I have a shot at getting into Harvard?
I’m a junior right now, and I just got my ACT back, but I haven’t gotten my SAT’s back yet.
GRADES/TEST SCORES
GPA:4.0
GPA (weighted):5.2
ACT:35 (36 Reading, 36 Math, 36 English, 34 Science, 11 writing)
Not sure about SAT’s yet
EXTRA CURRICULAR STUFF
Varsity Volleyball (7 years)
Varsity Chess (4 years)
Computer Gaming/Xbox Club (3 years)
Started the Wii Club – President
President of Peer Tutoring
Vice Class President
Spoke at State Capital about budget cuts
National Merit Scholar
Work at a food shelter in a bad neighborhood
President of Student Ambassadors
President of Conference Crew (we help at conferences)
Started the Fruit Appreciation club, but no one joined.
Gave speech to my school promoting dental hygiene
The some more stuff that isn’t important.
Do I have a shot?
6 Responses
tecualajuggernau
12 Mar 2010
USC Fight On!!!!
12 Mar 2010
I think you have a great chance(wow a 5.2 unweightened, great job girl), I want to go to Dartmouth so maybe we can both be ivy leagers one day lol
Lila
12 Mar 2010
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’d say you’re in.
matt c
12 Mar 2010
you will most likely get in unless u bombed the SAT’s which telling by the rest of your stuff, you did not, you probably did amazing
Alfred Sauce
12 Mar 2010
It sounds like you have a very good chance at Harvard. Your list of involvement in activities is impressive. But on your application you should emphasize a couple of those items above the rest. Maybe consider writing your personal statement about how (for example) your work at a food shelter or your involvement in state politics changed your perspective about society and your direction in life. Ultimately, I think what matters is the depth of your involvement in a few important activities, and how you put a positive spin on those. You certainly have many to choose from.
For reference, I had a similar weighted GPA in high school, as well as 1590 on my SAT (old SAT test, out of 1600), but my list of extracurricular accomplishments was meager compared to yours. I applied to Harvard and was waitlisted, and eventually dropped from the waitlist. The admissions process is strange, complicated, and not always rational or fair. But you have a great shot! Best of luck =) .
Ranto
12 Mar 2010
Yes — you have a shot. you seem like you are qualified to get in.
Not for the bad news:
Harvard only accepts 8% of students who apply. If we assume that half of those who apply are qualified (and I feel it is more), then they turn down 84% of the qualified students.
Being qualified and getting in are two very different things. You need to stand out. Lots of people think that activities will do that. But they are easy to pad and hard to verify. The way to stand out is through your admissions essay. It is critical.
Now the good news:
You may not get into Harvard — but you will get into some great schools.
Yes. Of course you have a shot. You’ve done all the right things…all the kinds of things a school like Harvard wants to see in their applicants. Of course, so did everyone else applying to Harvard.
When it comes time to write your essay, BE YOURSELF, and make them understand what sets you apart and how you will benefit more than others by attending Harvard.
Good luck.