I am a freshman in highschool, and I was wondering my chances. I finished my 1st semester with honors. My grandfather, an alumini of Harvard, attended the school, and served on the admission board that lets students in. I hear having a family member that attended a university, especially Harvard, really helps. He told me he thinks he can help me get there. My family has enough money to get me in; it's the grades I'm worried about. What can I do to help me more to get there?
2007-02-08 09:14:40 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
There's no way to assess your chances until you have more grades. You're a freshmen. Just get great grades and a great SAT/ACT score. Make sure you do lots of extra currics. Try and really do something special in one of them. You know you should get great grades, so just study and get those grades. It's not rocket science.
Having family who went there helps, but don't rely on that solely. Just do what you need to do to become a possible candidate for them. Then, let the other factors (like family connections) be the tie breaker btw whether to let you in or not.
2007-02-08 10:12:05 · answer #1 · answered by Linkin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like someone else said, the GPA really counts. First off, try to never get anything but an A and if you get a B, then make sure that was your last. Take honors class for sure – they only ask for a little more homework each night. Try to take at least two or three AP classes while you’re in high school. Ivy League schools love to see devotion. Make sure you’re well rounded in all subjects. Don’t have three math credits and five or six English credits. Now that was just the academic section.
Join student body government. Even secretary is good. If you can’t do that, join a club or two and become president of one of those. Also, join a sport. Ivy League schools also like to see that you are well rounded and by joining a sport, even for just a semester, you’ll show that. Community service is very important, too! At least 150 hours.
Although you might have a better chance getting in with a relative, large schools like to change family trees. For an example, if you parents and grandparents and ancestors have never been to college, they like accepting you because it will change your entire family history.
Harvard also likes to accept a diversity of different people. So if you’re a white male, you’re going to have a harder time getting in than an Arabian female would. Hope I helped some!
2007-02-08 23:17:24 · answer #2 · answered by eksoderstrom 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You will need a 4.0. Actually, having higher than a 4.0 would be better(it's possible. It's called taking extra classes). On top of that, being involved in school government, as well as any other activies Harvard would respect would be a good idea.
And having your grandfather will help.
I'd like to emphasize the 4.0 aspect though.
2007-02-08 17:23:52 · answer #3 · answered by cylon_hunter 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well you need to make sure you study extra hard and make really good grades if you want to go to a college like harvard. and i am sure your grandfather can help you get in.
2007-02-08 17:22:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋