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Hello, I'm a student at an Ohio school. I'm a senior ranked 2nd out of 535 students. My SAT I is 1540 and my SAT II's are Writing:780, Math IIC:800, Chem:800. Yet the only EC I have is Band (All-State Clarinet Player) and I'm hopeful of being inducted into the National Honor Society in the spring. I take 4 AP's, my school offers 10 (I take Eng, Span, Chem, Calc BC). I took Calc AB my 10th grade, Eng Lang, French, Bio, and Comp Sci A my 11th grade. I got 4's on all of them, except Calc AB and Eng Lang, which I got 5's. So am I a Harvard/MIT reject, or prospective undergrad???

By whateverhappenedtome on Sunday, October 27, 2002 - 10:32 pm: Edit

I've also won 1st place in the annual school science fair ever since 9th grade!

By Jesus on Monday, October 28, 2002 - 06:03 pm: Edit

I really don't think you have a prayer, they would dnever take anyone with just band as an EC. I don't care how great your grades and test scores are. Did you have a job or soemthing? DId you have to suport your family? Are you and URM? If none of those are the case, I say you might as well not apply. Unless....you turn in a clarinet tape with your app, and they music peepz love it. Then we could be talking.

By lovelylu on Monday, October 28, 2002 - 07:56 pm: Edit

Don't listen to jesus... haha, that sounds fun, although it's true however you look at it. Anyway, aside from my anti-religious views, I believe you have a good chance. I noticed that you have taken both Spanish and French AP, this is very impressive. Also, you come from Ohio, which I am sure is underrepresented at highly selective institutions. You didn't mention you GPA? I think if you write a really good essay that focuses on my band is so important to you, this will really help you case. Your interest in science is also well noted, this is all very good. Just out of interest why have you done so few ec's?

By Eddie on Sunday, November 03, 2002 - 12:47 am: Edit

yeah, jesus was pretty shocking, and I don't believe him anyway..... and even if band is your only EC, you could always write a killer essay to "make up" (not completely) for your lack of EC.

By Shawn on Monday, November 04, 2002 - 05:09 pm: Edit

Uhmm... Ohio is not underrepresented; Ohio sends top students to the Ivies every year. In addition, the ECs need to be improved; although an essay can increase your chances, you need to do something else other than band. In short, you're probably going to be rejected by both "Hahvahd" and MIT.

By sarahkaram on Sunday, December 15, 2002 - 05:26 pm: Edit

I'm a student from the UK who applied Early to Harvard. I have a 1360 SAT, 690 Math IIC, 710 French and 720 Writing. I have all A s at A-level in Pure Mathematics, Ancient History and Economics (you guys prob dont know what this means- UK national qualification). I am Head Girl of my school, play on the first field hockey, netball and tennis teams (tennis captain). I play first flute in band and was managing director of a Junior Enterprise company that won a Regional Award. In addition, every Sat morning I run the Information Desk at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and am a member of Mensa. I was deferred to Regular Decision. Do you think I have a shot? If not, is there anything I can do to convince the AdmiComit before April?

By Archmage on Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 12:22 am: Edit

ahah, I'm so screwed up for college. I have a 3.0 weighted GPA, no (conventional) extra-curriculars, but excellent test scores: 1550, 800 math2c and math1c, 800 physics, 770 writing, 760 literature. AP scores: 5 comp sci A, 5 AP calc AB, 4 AP CHem, 4 AP english Language. On my app, for work experience, I work with Sony...but only for about 20 weeks! CRAP... about 50 hours of volunteer work = crap too. But i did it because I wanted to...not for college...so that's ok.

The thing is: I never took ANY physics class or AP math class...I even got a "D" in "introductory calculus" because I really just despise my school's math department. I basically don't like half my teachers, so I self-study. My attendance is poor...

I had tennis and X-country in 9th grade, but injuries prevented continuing on somehow...so sad. I'm pretty good with tennis, just a bit above average for Varsity X-country (17:30 for 3 miles is decent)

I can't even qualify for AP physics this year, so I'm in CP (senior year) - but I know I'll get a 5 on the AP test, same with Calc BC - not in the class again but I'll ace that for sure. English this year will be a 3-5, Biology this year will be a 4-5.

I really blame my school for this...they hate me and I hate them. If only they'd adapt to my liberal personality...no way I'm changing my style. OH - my personal statement was definitely above average, of course it's subjective so I can't say for sure. Funny thing is that it was about extra-curricular activities - because my life comprises of mainly that! Just insane computer/car/audio/rocket/electronics experiments and competitions...I'm really good with all of those and I'll boast...too much time spent there not to say anything about it.

WHat say you men (and women)? Do I have a chance for anything remotely good ? ahah...I'm in california (southern) so I'm just hoping for UCLA, UCI, UCSD...one of those MAYBE...My bro went to UCLA, but he's ME + good GPA + full athletics + half conventional/unconventional extra-curriculars...darn - I'm so apathetic...as I type this, I'm really just laughing at myself... so funny...

By johnnie on Wednesday, December 25, 2002 - 04:25 pm: Edit

hi guys. The real thing is to care what school and what major u r applying 4. I want to go 2 Sloan or HBS for PHD. I have GPA 3 from BSC and 3,1 from MSc. I have 5 years of work experience (I have now my own startup company, I was project manager, quality ass. manager) and I have a dozen of honors (best thesis, overal in undergrad...). I forgot to tell you that I am only 24 years old. Yet I F&^%(#$D up the GMAT which is one of the single assesements and now I don't now whether I'll be able to pass outside those scholls. THose of u who want info may well write to me.

By Alma Pajova on Wednesday, December 25, 2002 - 10:00 pm: Edit

What are the requirements to get into Harvard?

By jon on Thursday, December 26, 2002 - 08:51 pm: Edit

i hav a 4.0 gpa, i am ranked 1 of 450 in my class, i have a 1570 SAT, SAT II: writing 800, math 2c 800, chemistry 800. i am a nationally qualified debater, student council president, national honor society county president, math club vice president, sci club president, i have taken 13 APs and gotten 5's on all of them. i am an intel and westinghouse finalist. think i can get in anywhere?

By jon on Thursday, December 26, 2002 - 08:53 pm: Edit

o and i have a part time job, and qualified for silver cord (350+ service hours) at my school.

just wanted to throw that in, in case u think itll put me over the edge to get into a community college.

By Hasanr (Hasanr) on Thursday, January 02, 2003 - 10:07 pm: Edit

What's up everybody? Im a 14 yr old Sophomore in High School. Ive taken this year's SAT and i got a 1440. I take mostly regular school courses, but I take an AP history course, and an honors english course. My overall average for all my classes combined is a 95. I hope by my senior year I'll have over a 1500 SAT score, at least 5 AP's, National Honors Society, and French Honors society. I'm on the track team and have many Varsity letters, I do volunteer work at a library, I hope to work at the Red Cross this summer, and particiapte in various clubs and activities, however these are just school related clubs, and don't really have a big impact on the community. Do you think i stand any chance in getting into Harvard?