What are my chances of going to Harvard?

Question

My grandfather went to Harvard, and did very well there. He served on an admission board there. He has a lot of money and he thinks he can help me go there. I get A's and B's, and I do a lot of sports and activities after school, and I got a really good SAT score. What are my chances? I heard a family member helps a lot.

Answer 1

I think you have an okay chance of getting in, but the B's will hurt and you're still going to need a really great SAT score. If your grandfather still knows the people who are on the undergrad admissions board, that will be particularly helpful.

Just remember that Harvard has many, many applicants and inevitably has to reject people with nearly perfect credentials. Also remember that although it helps to have a family connection, it's not a guaranteed "in." (For example, I have a friend from high school who was rejected from a very, very good school although her father was the head of the university's medical school.)

Answer 2

Nobody really has a good "chance" of getting into Harvard because of the volume of highly qualified applicants who apply.

That said, you should focus on gettng those grades up if you want to go to Harvard. Additionally, without specifics about your SATs and extracurriculars, it's hard to judge. What about SAT Subject Tests? You'll need those. And are the A's and B's in honors and AP classes? If not, that will hurt you.

Then there's your essay, letters of recommendation, etc. These must be stellar.

Of course, it won't hurt that your grandfather went there and that he was active as an alumni. But it doesn't guarantee anything at all. I've heard many stories about people who went to a school, a prestigous school, and their children don't get in... even if they were well-qualified to do so. Sometimes it's just a roll of the dice.

Have some back-up schools in mind....then go for it!!!!

Good luck.

Answer 3

The B's will hurt, but if the rest of your application is superb (especially your essay) then you should be fine. If you have had an increasing academic record (like the Bs were when you were in 10th grade, and you have all As now) then you are sitting even better. Your grandfather going to and working at harvard will help but don't assume that it gives you an advantage.

Answer 4

Go for it. Having a Harvard alumni in your family *really* helps.
But Harvard does reject a perfect applicant. But it's worth a try. Your chances sound pretty good.

Answer 5

my dad got his masters from Harvard.. I had A's B's but that isn't all they look for ..

want a well rounded person..

lots.. extracurricular.. etc

got to think ... A's B's .. so what.. so does everyone else that is putting in an application


so your sports will help out..

You have a fairly good shot... just apply early

Answer 6

It looks like you have a really great chance of going to Harvard. Especially since you get A's and B's

Answer 7

To be thoroughly straightforward, 70% of the conflict is the tangibles in contact. The solidity of it, the grades, the incident comments, and the chilly puzzling data. yet that different thirty % is the position you'll shine in case you do what you're saying you do and stay on the right course. keep volunteering, keep doing great things, and at last those deeds will seize as a lot as you. convinced, you nevertheless have a shot.

Answer 8

Hey kid, the faster you realize it's a who you know world, the faster you'll be able to utilize that Harvard education that you're going to receive. Good luck.

Answer 9

A family member with a lot of money helps (lol). It's one of the hardest universities to get into (Princeton is now the number one most difficult), but you never know if you don't try.

Answer 10

You have a very good chance on getting in. =) But apply to a few other schools just in case, because you never know.