How do people make it to Harvard?

Question

What are some important factors? What kind of activities should you do? Is GPA or SAT more important? Do colleges look at the ranking of your school?

Answer 1

For a school like Harvard, they really do look at the overall package as well as the things you do outside of school. I was placed on the waiting list at Brown University and I was involved in many school activities, as well as volunteer activities. I also had musical talent (no sports though) and my SAT scores werent' that high, although my GPA was. I also earned some brownie points because my essay was unique and I had submitted a historical fiction story that was going to be published. They also look at your personality, as you can do a college interview. Try to be as charismatic as possible. Grades matter for schools like this, but sometimes you can work your way around that if you have connections. It's not fair, but it happens. I say that you should study lots but also do activities in and out of school. You want to prove what an asset you can be to their university. Good luck!

Answer 2

GPA and SAT are a given. You have to do well in school. Beyond that the Ivies are looking to put together an interesting educational experience. That means accepting people with a particular talent--music, excelling in a sport, having published writing, ability to speak multiple languages, etc. They also go for some geographical balance, so someone from Wyoming might be more interesting to them than a student from Connecticut or Long Island (NY). It doesn't hurt to have rich parents who also went to Harvard. But remember there are many people who do not get an Ivy League education and go on to lead productive lives.

Answer 3

Both the GPA and SAT are very important. Generally, they are their school's valedictorian (#1).

Answer 4

A high IQ.