I have to admit sort of a nerdy secret: I really want to attend Harvard.
In physics today, we all got into a discussion about college (because physics is easy shit) and when I mentioned that I wanted to do Harvard pre-law, all my friends looked at me like I had just said I wanted to pole dance with small rodents for a living.
Everyone immediately started saying things like:
"Harvard is really selective, don't they only accept geniuses?"
"You have to be perfect to get in!"
"How they hell do you think you could ever pay for that?"
"You should find a back-up school."
"You're not going to Harvard."
That bothers me. My GPA may not be a flawless 4.0, but it is definitely and fairly shiny 3.6 right now, which I plan to bring up during finals and next semester. I do tons of extra-carriculars, including stuff that serves the community. I'm on my school's debate team, for God's sake, Harvard is all over that kind of thing. Oh, and I scored a 32 on the ACT without studying before hand. I'm going to take it again, just to see if I can do better, but still. The average score is a 24.
I am not stupid, nor ill-qualified.
My mom went to Harvard when she was 16 (prodigal child much?), but she only had a 3.7 GPA and her parents were poverty levels of poor. I know times have changed and the admissions process is much more competitive, but I feel like I can do it.
And I looked at the Harvard website, if your family's combined income is less than $75,000 a year, which mine is (we're poor people), tuition is free. Straight up free, no financial aid packages or anything. You still have to pay for books and fees and housing, but tuition itself is completely covered by the university.
My life has revolved around Harvard ever since I was little. I know I might not get in, and I'm applying to several other universities, but my heart is set. I really want to go, because I know that Harvard is the right school for what I want to do with my life, and up to this point I've felt like it wouldn't be a huge issue to get accepted, but now...
I don't know... Am I deluding myself?
Julia
I admire you. Like, a lot.
ReplyDeleteI think it's awesome that you want to go to Harvard. Don't get bummed by people in your class that say stuff like that. You definitely have a chance.
Good luck.
:)
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ReplyDelete(The previous post was removed because I made a grammatical error.)
ReplyDeleteThey should shush their collective face.
Don't doubt yourself because of people in your class. It's your life, and you're wonderful. No matter what they say, you definitely have a chance - so put your all into that application!
Swag it up! (Yes, I just used the phrase "swag it up". My friend said it today and I stabbed her in the eye. Don't judge me.)
Go for it. I have no idea what the admission process is like, although I imagine it's just as tough as Oxford and Cambridge over here, if not worse, but you should definitely aim high. By the sound of it, you're more than capable of getting the grades.
ReplyDeleteOh and Harvard is an amazing University. Walking around, the place was buzzing. I am actually sitting here wearing my Harvard hoody as I type ;)x
Wow, free tuition for us lower middle class folk? I honestly had no idea about that! Perhaps I shall reconsider them as a possible school...
ReplyDeleteThere's no harm in trying is there? two of my best friends are twins and both applied for Oxford to do Psychology and Computer Science between them they had A* AAA each (which is more than Oxford wanted) but didn't get in, they're happy now at they're top 10 UK unis anyway, but it was an experience, try it anyway, you might get lucky ;)
ReplyDeletep.s I bet the interviews arent as crazy as Cambridge. they ask questions like would you rather be an apple or banana? and if you've never been to california how do you know it exists?
:)