My chances of getting accepted into Harvard?

Question

-A- average
-National Honors Society
-top 30% of class, but is steadily improving after poor performance in my freshman 2nd semester
-taking honors classes
-take part in debate team at high school
-legacy (grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle went to Harvard- grandfather has donated thousands to the school, served on admissions board, and was class leader)

Again, I just barely starting the second quarter of the first semester at the high school. I am trying harder than ever and I plan on participating in more extracurriculars and raising my GPA and class rank.

Answer 1

It is way too early to tell. You need to improve your rank in class. Keep gettins As and take AP and Honors classes to do that. You will need a high SAT score. Having ancestors who went there will give you an edge -- but you still need to be qualified.

Only about 15% of the qualified applicants actually get in.

Answer 2

You may change your mind as you go through high school, but join as many clubs as you can possibly handle. (Keep in mind you still have homework and studying to do on top of the clubs!) Join your school's Foreign Language Honor Society, student council (shows leadership), or orchestra / band / choir. Take AP classes in high school. Host bake sales for school fundraisers and charities. There are many other great colleges out there offering Japanese Studies, and make sure when the time comes to actually send in applications, apply at other schools in case you don't get accepted, you can go elsewhere. You have a lot of time to get this stuff done, and now is a great time to start. Good luck in the future! :)

Answer 3

you still have a long way to go, so it's probably too early to tell. However, make sure to get your grades up, do verrrrrrrry well on SATs, SAT IIs, and ACTs. Just as important are your extracurriculars - do tons of volunteering, of find something that you REALLY excel at, like a sport, an instrument, student government, an art form, or a subject in school, and pursue it like crazy - show that you're passionate about something. I stress volunteerism - ALL colleges love that. Harvard doesn't just want well-rounded students; they want a well rounded student body. So just as important as having smart students is having stellar musicians, athletes, debators, writers, and altruists. Show them that you'd add a unique element to their student body.

Answer 4

you need to kick behind on your standardized tests. if you do well there, then you have an excellent chance. they like families that donate money. you're already in their good graces due to your family legacy. if you do well in h.s. and on those tests, you should be golden, literally :)

Answer 5

Looks like a chance, but what are your standardized test scores?

Answer 6

I agree with Ranto's comments,
just here to cheer you on :)
You can do it and good luck on getting into Harvard