I am thinking about going to Harvard?

Question

I am thinking about going to Harvard for college. I am a good student and am curious of what I am expected of, and/or should accomplish before graduation in four years before considering applying. All suggestions are welcomed. Thank you, and by the way I am entering 9th grade this coming fall if it helps. Thanks again!!

Answer 1

the easy part is high grades in honors/APA classes, very high SATs, plus a very hefty list of extra-curricular activities. Even some of the very best do not get accepted because Harvard gets so many applications. Your best bet is to get in touch with them and go for a campus visit in Sophomore year......... In the meantime, take those AP classes and get REALLY high grades!

Answer 2

You haven't even started highschool. Don't get ahead of yourself. Just make sure that you pick-up a lot of extracurriculars and advanced highschool courses in order to have a shot at Harvard. Everyone applying to Harvard has perfect stats, so be unique in your extracurriculars.

Answer 3

Harvard accepted only about 6 percent of applicants last year.  They turned down hundreds of students with perfect (4.0) GPAs, valedictorians, and perfect SAT scorers.  While having great grades and SAT scores are necessary to have even a 6 percent shot, it's not enough to really give you much of a chance.  You need to find some way to stick out - publish a novel, get a recording contract, do original, publishable scientific research, run for elected office (outside of school), start a business or non-profit, stuff along those lines.  Bonus points if it's in the area you want to major in.  Those bring up your chances to more like 10-20 percent.  Still not great.  Look around a bit - there are thousands of college in the US, and many of them are better than Harvard in some departments.

Answer 4

same here

Answer 5

It's a great thing to be ambitious, but when you are ambitious for Harvard it's important to keep in mind that 90% of qualified candidates get rejected. Kids from all over the world apply and the acceptance rate is 7%. Of the 7% accepted, half have an "in", they are kids of wealthy parents who went to Harvard themselves, athletes recruited to play on teams, kids of the profs there, etc. That means the acceptance rate for the unconnected is about 4% and most people who apply have the grades and scores.

so just tell yourself you want to go to a top college, get great grades and SAT scores, stand out in some activity outside of the classroom and go from there. You never know, you may be exceptional enough for Harvard.