What kind of person can get in to Harvard?
459135
I couldn't really tell you without more detail, but at least you have a variety of outside activities.  There's no real magic formula for Harvard, so you'll just have to apply and see what happens.  They look at other things like your GPA, essay, etc. also.\n\nThere are very few people who you can just say, "Yes, he/she will get in."  Possibly Intel STS winners/parents with millions in donations, etc.  Most are sort of on the borderline and they have to analyze the situation closely.\n\nGo down your list of accomplishments.  Ask yourself.  How many other people applying to Harvard will match or be better than this?  You need to distinguish yourself from others.  For example, 4.0 GPA.  I guess, it's 2350+ SAT now.  How many others have those?  Tons.  Same with a few of your other things, which I'm sure you can figure out.\n\nOn your writing, emphasize how you're different from other candidates.  I don't remember the topic, but usually you can write about one of your experiences that makes you special.  Maybe one where you were able to make a difference somewhere without sounding trite.  It's not easy, but it's not that hard either if you have the qualifications.
13248
His SAT score was 1206 (566 verbal, 640 math).\n\nHis cumulative undergraduate GPA at Yale was 2.35.\n\nGraduated from Yale University with a degree in history, and then earned an MBA from Harvard University.\n\nTraditionally, one has to have a 3.0 GPA to get a Master's degree.  I'm sure Harvard has that type of standard.
585849
Yes, there are scholarships available from Harvard, because our son turned one down. I believe in his case it was offered to him, because he had a 4.0 grade average throughout his highschool years.
928771
what kind of student would you are?
395694
I got into MIT this year, and I'll tell you the following. To get into ANY Ivy League or Elite College you will need the following.\n\n- Excellent Recommendations\n- Ranking: Top 5-10% of your class\n- SAT's- Awesome scores\n- One of the strongest High School Curriculums. \n- Write great essays\n- Do a great interview.\n\nRemember, most of the decision relies on how you look in the application. You might use the "College Matters Guide to Getting Into the Elite College of your Dreams". Is an awesome book and explains you step by step what to do. The writers of the book are actual students from Ivy League and Elite Colleges including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Stanford and Brown. Use it!
596679
First, fly to Logan Airport. Then you can take the blue line to the red (Alewife), and get off at Harvard Square...\n\nIf you want to get into Harvard, you'll need extremely good grades, very good SAT scores, extracurriculars with depth and breadth, good writing skills for the essays, and a little something extra. \n\nRemember, all students applying to Harvard have all of the above, so you need to be able to explain what is special about you - have you done something spectacular, or different? Are you extremely skilled at something? What sets you apart - and use the essays to talk to those things.
532895
College:  Harvard University\nPrep School:  Choate
1030796
It doesn't matter what school you go too.  You can go to harvard and still be stupid. Just strive to be the best at what you do.
1132589
There are many factors that affect admissions at Ivy League colleges such as Harvard and Princeton.  While GPA is one of the most important factors, it is NOT the most important one, let alone the one that determines whether an applicant is admitted or rejected.  College admissions officers at Ivy League schools consider many other factors, including SAT/ACT scores, SAT II scores, strength of high school curriculum, extracurricular involvement, awards, and financial/social background, to name a few.  (Incidentally, there is no “required” GPA.)\n\nOn the other hand, one can increase -- dramatically increase, in some cases -- his/her chances of being admitted to Ivy League schools by achieving a high GPA.  For instance, with a perfect 4.0 GPA, or 100, or the highest cumulative GPA in a graduating class, one has a much better chance of being admitted to Harvard or Princeton.  This is evidenced by the fact that, while Ivy League colleges do not admit all valedictorians, applicants with the best academic records from their respective high schools tend to be admitted at much more propitious rates than students who rank near the top of their classes but are not quite perfect academically.  \n\nAs I said before, though, GPA is not the only factor in college admissions.  If an applicant with a 3.6 GPA -- unweighted (which means "not accounting for honors/AP courses," which add extra ) -- scores extremely well on the ACT or SAT (for example, in the ranges of 34-36 and 2300-2400, respectively), his/her slightly lower GPA -- relatively, of course -- might be overlooked, provided he/she demonstrates evidence of superior abilities/talents, which I will discuss in the next section.\n\nAdmissions at Harvard, Princeton, and, in general, highly selective schools, is often misunderstood by the public.  Admissions officers at such schools are not hired to admit students with the best academic records, but those who have talents that few of their peers have.  They want teenagers who have achieved things that most people will not achieve in a lifetime -- winning national science competitions, publishing bestselling books, presiding over national youth forums, founding a nationwide organization for the betterment of humanity; the list goes on and on.  These students may not be perfect academically, but they are no doubt more appealing than students who get perfect 4.0s and 2400s, but have not a real achievement to their name.\n\nMy advice to you is to study hard, but not devote too much time to perfecting your GPA.  If you are Harvard material – anyone who dreams “it” can achieve “it,” so you probably are – I advise you to find a niche.  What are you good at?  Where can you shine?  Utilize your talents and you will achieve something BIG.  By then, being admitted to Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, or any other big-name school will merely be a byproduct of your true accomplishments.\n\nThere are many sites with advice on college admissions.  One favorite among students as well as parents is www.collegeconfidential.com, which provides college admissions-related information straight from experienced adults, as well as a forum for parents, counselors, and students to discuss all things related to college admissions (be wary of discouraging information, though!)  Good luck!\n\nJust a note: Many "normal" students are admitted to Harvard and Princeton...  You don't necessarily have to accomplish the things I mentioned.  For the most part, though, admissions is a "crapshoot" for normal students.
726909
Harvard accepts homeschooled kids each year. If you make your children's education and overall development your priority, then homeschooling will be great for them.\n\nHere's an article from 6 years ago: http://www.massnews.com/past_issues/2000/7_July/hschool.htm\n\nAnother article:\nhttp://www.thecrimson.harvard.edu/printerfriendly.aspx?ref=512786
460832
Unless you got a close relative who went to Harvard or Yale...its unlikely you will get into either...Go for Princeton..still a long shot...
1029689
Take the most difficult classes your school offers.  It is a big deal for students to use the resources that are available to them.  (If your school only has one AP class, for example, they don't fault you for that, but they want you to take it.)  \nIt is better to be very involved in a few extracurricular activities that you are passionate about than ten clubs that you are only sort of involved in and pay dues for.  \nThey want you to take initiative.  Start something new or add a new dimension to an existing cause or club.  Take a class at a local college through joint enrollment.  Take the SAT several times to achieve a good score if you have a low one.  Take an SAT prep class if you are not confident.\nThe bottom line is to differentiate yourself from other applicants.  They get thousands of applications from people with good grades and scores who joined the honor society and the community service club at school.  Go above and beyond.  Community service is more important than having a part time job by the way.\nThe hardest thing about Harvard is getting in.  Good luck!  .\n\nThis stuff applies to getting in to any school really.  Apply to more than one place!  College is what you make of it.  You can have a great experience at a lot of different places.
183255
You can get into the state level universities for your higher studies, if you do not have a work experience.\nOr either you should show an extra ordinary capabilities and achievements and an extravagant essay, if you want to get into ivy leagues(Harvard , cornell...etc)\n\nShow maturity , only then you would be able to get into. good GMAT scores give you a chance to waive ur bad undergraduate  university scores
796714
Last year I was tutoring two kids from high school who were taking college courses. They both went to Harvard. One was the highest and the other was 3rd in his class at a top high school. They each had over 2300 on the SAT. They each had won a national gold medal in a tough science competition. One was captain of the math team and a soloist in the school orchestra on two instruments, the other one was captain of the debate team and a champion cross country runner (4th in state). They both acted in the school plays, and both of them were active in their churches and were leaders in student groups that did charity work with homeless people. \n\nWhat great kids! But the real thing about them was they were passionate about everything they did. That is the kind of kid who gets accepted to Harvard, and that is the kind of kid who belongs there.
999773
The top 5: Harvard, Stanford, Penn, MIT, Northwestern, and Chicago.  The other top 45 B-Schools, according to US News & World report, can be found by using the link below.  \n\nAs for getting in, well...all programs have different strengths and weaknesses, but generally, having good "real world" work experience, a good academic background, and a drive that comes through in your app (I once knew someone who was waitlisted at the U of Michigan [#11 on the list], but requested an interview, which was not required of applicants, and therefore gained admission by showing drive, confidence, and determination).\n\nGood luck!
434777
A 3.5 GPA is probably way too low for most applicants to get in.  Remember, the average GPA and SAT numbers are generally lower than what is required for most applicants to have a realistic chance of getting in to these type of schools (unless you're in a special situation that offers some advantage).  The average GPA and SAT numbers for these schools is dragged down by athletes, legacies, those with connections, etc.  I would say for someone without any specific admission advantage, a 3.8 GPA and 1500 SAT or higher is more realistic to be competitive.  Class rank may be more applicable than GPA as well.  My brother had a 3.8 GPA, 1570 SAT's, and was a collegiate caliber track athlete and got rejected from MIT.
1077067
With a 4.03, 750/800/720 SAT, and two AP classes, you certainly have the scores to get in.  But Yale (and every other Ivy League college) is looking for something that sets YOU apart from everyone else that has such lofty scores.\n\nI got into Yale, my SAT scores and GPA were approximately the same as yours, I was 2/267.  That is NOT what got me in.  Everybody (almost) that applies to Yale, Harvard, etc. has these scores.  What makes you unique?  What will you bring to the class that others will not?  I think your extracurricular activities are excellent.  Editor of the school paper is a very nice feather in your cap; emphasize that.  Piano playing shows your breadth of interests.  If Math is your strong point, and you are an editor and a pianist, you are exactly the well-rounded individual they are looking for.  \n\nFurther, you show a human side by your community service.  In your essay, tell Yale what YOU will bring to the Yale community, and I think you will be very happy with the results.  Do not forget to interview not only with the admissions staff, but with any professors (if you can arrange it) in departments you are interested in as a major.  \n\nApplying to Harvard makes NO difference in whether you get into Yale or not.  You could not apply to Harvard and do Single Choice/Early Action anyway, so it is irrelevant.\n\nGo to their website, www.yale.edu, and look into their programs to see what interests you.\n\nIf you do not make the EA cut, and go through regular admissions and make the wait list instead of outright admission, visit the admissions people again (IN PERSON).  Show them that you are interested in attending; put a face to the mound of papers that they have to deal with every day.  That visit alone may get you in.  \n\nAll that said, after I was accepted at the colleges I was given admission to, I went back and visited them AGAIN.  I sat in on classes.  I wanted to make sure that the next four years would be at the university that was actually best for me, not the one I had pined for since I was 12 (which was Harvard, btw).  I picked Princeton over Harvard (and Yale), and the decision was one of the best that I ever made.  I'm not saying you should pick some other college over Yale; if you really have your heart set on Yale, and you get in, then by all means, you should go there.  But make SURE it is the college for you.  If Yale is your dream school, and you are sure of that, GO THERE.  You will never regret it.  \n\nGood luck, you certainly have the qualifications to go anywhere you want!