Question
Hey Jason,
I hope that the summer is going great for you. INeedAPencil.com is a great site and a great way for me to prepare for the SAT. I hope you don't mind but I have a few questions about Harvard admission.
Here is a list of few questions that I have about Harvard:
1. What are some of the extracirricular activities that you did to increase your chances of getting into Harvard?
2. What is the average SAT and ACT score that I need to get to increase my chances of getting into Harvard?
3. What is the average GPA that I should achieve?
4. What are some of the classes that I should take during summer that can help me out tremendously?
5. What are some of the classes that I should take during school that Harvard likes?
6. I am already on the tennis team, what else do you recommend that I should do?
Here are some of the questions that I have right now. I hope you won't mind answering them.
Thanks for your help,
Student XYZ
Answer
Dear Student XYZ,
Of course I don't mind. Here go my answers; do let me know if you need any more info or clarification on these responses.
1. The main one was Bridge Education. I started a test prep club to help less privileged kids. It showed initiative and a dedication to the community. If you can start something up, it's very impressive. I was a leader in Model UN, Key Club and Boy Scouts also.
2. I'd say getting an SAT above 2100 and 33 give you a good as chance as someone with a 2400 or 36, if you have other compelling points.
3. GPA should be a 3.7 or A- on an unweighted scale, if not higher.
4. You don't have to take summer classes and probably none will help that much. I did a summer program where I learned about business and entrepreneurship (it wasn't a summer class though), and used it for my application. It was an amazing experience, also, and more importantly. Check out the UPenn/Wharton program called LBW.
5. Harvard wants diversity and interesting people. So you could take anything as long as you enjoy it and excel. Maybe something creative, more than Advanced Calculus, would be helpful.
6. Tennis team is great. Many of my classmates played tennis, so that's great. Try some other activities that get you involved. Doing a sport, an interest club (like Model UN), an academic club (like Math Club) and service club (like Key Club) would round you out in all the great areas.
What do you think?
Best,
Jason
