Receiving an offer from Harvard

August 06, 2024

Today’s #howigotin.fyi brings to you Iyanu. He received an offer from Harvard University! Peek into Iyanu’s background, stats, and ECs to learn how he did it.

 🌆Background

  • Graduated from Dy Crown High School, a public school in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.

  • The school is not a feeder or a private school.

  • 60% of the school's students are low-income.

  • Only 50% of the school's graduates pursue higher education.

🔖GPA

  • Unweighted: 4.0

  • Weighted: 6.01 (on a 6.5 scale)

🪜Rank at School

Top 1% (ranked 5 out of 600, though the school did not officially rank students)

💯Test Scores

  • SAT: 1430 (710 Math, 720 Reading)

💐Academic Honors

  • AP Scholar with Distinction

  • College Board National African-American Recognition Award

  • Horatio Alger National Scholar

🏅Extracurricular Activities

  • Student Council: Executive Board, revamped council post-COVID, organized initiatives like "Presents for Perry" to donate presents to students

  • National Honor Society: President, led meetings, organized community service activities.

  • Psi Alpha: Psychology Honor Society, on executive board, organized mental health initiatives.

  • Track and Field: Leadership board, team captain, managed social media, set a school record for the 4x1 relay.

  • Work Experience: Worked at McDonald's, Walmart, a country club, and a steakhouse.

  • Girl Up: Feminist organization, promoted gender equality.

  • Environmental Club: Participated in environmental initiatives.

  • Music Production: Created music under the name "Yanu."

💭Advice

  1. Essays Matter: Personal statements and essays are crucial. Focus on a central theme that reflects personal growth and optimism.

  2. Use Adversity to Your Advantage: Discuss challenges and how they shaped you positively, but avoid excessive focus on trauma.

  3. Make the Most of Resources: Colleges look for students who maximize their given resources, regardless of the amount.

  4. Showcase Unique Aspects: Highlight creative projects or unique aspects of your background.

  5. Balanced Participation: Engage deeply in a few activities rather than spreading yourself too thin.

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