Harvard, Princeton, etc...?

Question

Hi! I'm looking into colleges (I'm a high school Junior), and I wanted to know if I really had a chance at NYU, Harvard, Wellesley, etc.
I'm ranked 1st out of about 500 people, involved in Forensics, Key Club (secretary for two years), National Honor Society, and on the newspaper staff as a news reporter and columnist. I have a 3.85 unweighted GPA with a 4.5 weighted GPA (based on last year), and I'm taking five AP classes (one of them online). I also write for an online newspaper and am bilingual (working on my Spanish as a third language by taking it as an AP class). Last summer, I took a law course, and hopefully, this summer I'll be planning a Model UN club for my school while volunteering.
Anywho, could you please make some suggestions as far as extracurriculars and such? My counselor said that my income level would make me eligible for a free ride through Harvard or Yale, so money is not my main issue (especially since I'm working on scholarships).

I really want to major in political science or English.

Answer 1

It seems as though you are an excellent, all around student and individual and would have a good shot of getting into any of these schools. Therefore, what is the best school for you?

There are a many questions that you'll need to ask yourself:
1. What subject do you want to major in when in college? Are there a few? - Make sure that any university that you attend has all of the different majors that you are interested in. That way, if you try one out and find out that you do not like it, you have the other options. Also, is the major a good program at the schools that you want to attend?

2. Do you want a big or small university? Many times small university are look down upon because they may not have the name of a Harvard or Yale. However, big and small university are great. The biggest question is... do you want and/or need attention from your professors? Bigger university professors may not be able to give students individual attention that so many students need. Smaller universities are able to give a lot of personal attention, allowing students to contact professors any time with questions and/or advice.

3. Location, location, location! Will you like the location that the university is in? City versus College town? Weather... do you want warm weather where it never snows or are you okay at a university that it snows much of winter?

4. Does the school have the extracurricular activities that you are interested in? Academics is not all that you are at a university for... college is all about the experience as well. Will you have the opportunity to get involved and are the activities that you want to participate in available on the campus?

5. Do you like the campus and university? This you'll never know until you walk onto that particular campus. If you can, try to visit any school that you are really interested in. College admissions representatives are paid to tell you have great the university will be. In addition, all of the papers and viewbooks that you get from the universities will show nothing but pretty pictures. However, you'll never know if it is the right place for you until you step on the campus. You'll probably know within the first 5 minutes of being on the campus if you'll like it or not! All colleges and universities do campus tours - just call the admissions office and they'll set it up for you.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Looking at your stats, I think you stand a pretty good chance of getting in into any of the colleges you mentioned above.

There are mainly a few things colleges look at and here it is, in no particular order

1) Excellent academics
2) Active in extracurriculars (try passionate in a few rather than touching the surface of a dozen)
3) Standardized tests (SAT 2100+, ACT)
4) Essay (so so very important, you may even want to start working on it now, have a rough idea of what you want to write about)
5) Recommendations from teachers
6) Volunteer activities (big one with the colleges)
7) And of course, interviews.

You asked for what sort of extracurriculars? Well, do what you feel passionate about.

Good luck! And kudos to you for starting your college search so soon!

Answer 3

Pros: You can say I went to Harvard, and all the Harvard **ores will say "oooooo." Just kidding, but you might have an easer time getting into the graduate school of your choice and an easier time finding the job you want. Everyone has heard of those schools and they're respected. Lots of school spirit, lots of good programs, facilities, sport teams, and student activities. More networking opportunities. Classes taught by celebrity professors. Cons: The cost. If your parents aren't helping you , I would be hesitate to attend one of these schools. You classmates will be mostly White and upper-class and more competitive than at other schools. Truthfully, you'll probably get a comparable education at less expensive schools. You should really consider what you want to study. A program at a less well-known school might appeal to you more than what those colleges offer.

Answer 4

You sound as if you have a decent shot at all the schools you mention, though I would think that NYU is an easier call than the other two. I'd say you are doing everything you need to do. Just make sure that tou get enough sleep and a little recreation too. Good luck.

Answer 5

I think that you are on an excellent path to a great university. Depending on where your location is, you may want to look at your profile and school demographics.
I am an independent college counselor and work with students in the Southern California area.
E-mail me at [e-mail]
If you have specific questions.

Answer 6

Look into ideas on how to complete your applications to the colleges. Your interviews/applications will be looked at extensively, so the essay questions on the applications are important. (you can also get youself some Kudos by having some letters of recommendation from important people: other Ivy league grads like doctors, politicians, etc.).

You are halfway there with the grades and being involved, but there are other important issues as well. REMEMBER how important those essays and interviews are.

Answer 7

What do you want to major in? Harvard is a good school, but not the best in every subject. If you've narrowed it down at all, you may want to look at other schools as well.

Answer 8

The University of Minnesota.

Answer 9

harvard is better

Answer 10

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/
This website will answer any questions you could possibly have.