How to Get accepted to Harvard University: Tips from Accepted Students

Harvard admission criteria

Besides average GPA, SAT scores, resumes and portfolios, Harvard looks for outstanding extracurricular records, creativity, leadership, and various personal qualities like resilience, a strong moral character and consistency that will distinguish you from other applicants.

Resilience and integrity

Admission officers look for someone with a strong moral character who can easily overcome challenges for your chosen subjects whether they are in humanities or STEM.

Rachel, a graduate from Harvard bachelor degree in physics says,

“In my Harvard personal statement, I highlighted my strong character and ability to overcome challenges, which drive my determination to excel.”

This underscores the importance of Resilience Harvard looks for in an applicant.

Passion and Purpose

Passion is a prevalent theme in Harvard applications; they are particularly concerned with how you convey it to the admissions counselor through your personal statement. A strong interest in your chosen job can be demonstrated by participating in a variety of volunteer and work experiences that provide you with a greater grasp of the path and the skills required for the field.

For example, Melony, a freshman at Harvard Medical School, emphasizes the necessity of demonstrating your dedication through work experience:

“I didn’t just highlight a list of work I’ve done throughout my journey but I focused on what I learnt from the experience.”

Leadership and initiative skills

Harvard values those individuals who have an active history of extracurricular activities, demonstrating leadership skills, Ambition and commitments to the betterment of the society.

Applicants should highlight more than just participation in extracurriculars. Harvard seeks applicants who have taken up leadership roles in decision making, team works and the ability to encourage and motivate others.

Harvard values commitment and growth rather than the quantity of extracurriculars you have taken part in so make sure to include the quality, depth and duration of your involvement in extracurriculars.

Academics

Although extracurricular activities and personal qualities are vital, academic excellence remains the most critical factor in the Harvard admissions process. These requirements are vital because students must be able to deal with the hardships encountered during their journey.

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Grade Point Average (GPA)

Although Harvard does not address the minimum GPA criterion, a high score can still make you an outstanding candidate if the other sections of the application reflect your intelligence.

It is a way of measuring academic excellence. It is a points-grading system with a scale from A-F; A being 4 points and F being 0.

Here are a few ways to improve your GPA:

• Regularly attend class
• Ask questions and seek academic help
• Use your time efficiently
• Create a study habit
• Use calendar
• Create extracurricular profiles and write stellar essays
• Increase course load

Standardized Tests

Again like GPA, SATs/GRE scores are not specified but it’s better a higher score is better.SATs ( scholastic amplitude test) are 3-hour long college exams composed of math, writing and reading. This gives the admission officers a rough measure of the students’ readiness.SATs happen seven times a year on the first Saturday of every month. Register it at Collegeboard, you’ll need to pay a fee of $60; a month in advance. Just like SATs, the GRE (Graduate Record Test) is also an entrance exam that assesses physics, psychology and math. It takes up to 3 hrs 45 mins, costs $206, and should be booked 2 days in advance at the GRE website.

Here is a guide to help you register:

• Simply register yourself,
• go to the home page and find test centers/ dates
• Select a date and test center
• Select a time and click “register”
• Review your information or add the GRE service
• Add any study material (optional)
• Review the order and pay the registration fee

Crafting a Compelling personal statement

A personal statement allows you to demonstrate your abilities, qualities, passion, and dedication to admissions officers. An eye-catching personal statement combines personal traits with academic excellence in a way it’s interesting to anyone reading it.

Here’s how to write a personal statement:

Compelling opening:

• Start the personal statement with an attention-grabbing sentence that will draw the reader in.

Have a clear focus and a theme:

• Your essay should revolve around a central theme that reflects an important aspect of your identity, experience and goals. At the end of every experience, passion or significant change, make sure to link it back to the purpose of the writing.

Personal Stories or Experience:

• Showcase what you have done so far and how you have contributed to society or personal growth. Demonstrate how your past experiences have shaped you for your future aspirations.

The tone of voice:

• Write in the voice you would speak in. Be genuine and don’t try to mimic what the admission officers want to hear. This piece of writing reflects your personality whether you are passionate, funny or introspective.

Strong structure and body

• Divide each quality into a paragraph, don’t overcrowd.

Originality

• Be original and don’t copy off someone else’s or produce it through AI. if you have copied it, your personal statement will be instantly discarded.

Authenticity

Your personal statement should be realistic. Although admission officers will not review records of the events described in your personal statement, they will be able to detect exaggerations.

Furthermore, your Personal Statement should be authored by you and original. You cannot copy or generate it using artificial intelligence. In addition, you should utilize formal language rather than words you don’t use in everyday life.

Instead of making strong and broad assertions in your personal statement, provide detailed explanations of what you have done and what you have learned from the experience. Once again, admission authorities value tiny and specific works above a list of generic experiences you’ve had without going into detail about them.

Get to know the university

There are several steps you should take before applying to Harvard University.
You’ll have to adopt its culture and traditions. They want to know why you want to attend this university and what about it appeals to you.

Research the University

Look into the community, culture and values at Harvard University

Ameilia, a Design student mentions;

“Harvard was an incredible experience, with its rich culture and values creating an inspiring environment. It’s a great place to meet so many talented people, and the friendly community makes it truly special.”

Know basic programs, majors, or opportunities that might interest you and be ready to discuss why they appeal to you during the interview.

Understand the campus culture, values and mission. Be familiar with why you would like to attend this university.Campus visits

Attending an open day is advantageous since it allows you to learn about several courses and identify the one that piques your interest.

You can interrogate senior citizens or professors. They give you a brief rundown of the course whilst walking you through the advantages and disadvantages of the university.

Preparing for interviews

If your application is successful, you will be invited for an interview.

Here are some topics you should consider:

• Your overall high school experience
• How you will contribute to the community
• Favorite high school class/ project
• Most meaningful extracurricular activities
• Your passion
• Hobbies
• What do you hope for in your college experience
• Academic interests in college
• Questions for your interviewer
• A scenario of a challenge and how you dealt with it

Remember you can talk about anything you want with your interview because they don’t have access to application/ personal statements so don’t be scared to repeat!

BE YOURSELF!

“Interviews are an opportunity to showcase your personality, so approach them like you’re talking to friends and speak with confidence. Be yourself, not a rehearsed version that you’ve practiced”.

Be well prepared to make the best impression on the interviewer

Dress up, but comfortably

It’s a big headache and students usually question what to wear for their interview. The dress code depends on the type of university and interview. But overall one should dress formally in decent clothing. If you have any piercings on your face that would cause distraction, please do remove them.

Make sure to avoid inappropriate clothing like tight jeans, shorts small skirts, and tops that reveal excessive skin. When in doubt, go for more of a formal than casual look.

Do mock interviews

Ask a friend to help you practice a few interview questions to stimulate
experience. Focus on confidence, fluency and language

When you have no one to help you, Record yourself using a cellphone or an iPad, rewatch the video and look for areas to improve.

Stay calm and positive

Go to the interview with a positive mindset and curiosity. Practice relaxation techniques to lower the adrenaline rush and stimulate the brain to work effectively
Be there early!

It’s always to get there 10 to 15 minutes before the interview starts just so you can get used to the environment and calm yourself down. It is also a way to show your enthusiasm and determination toward the interview and the university.

Make sure to use the restroom, drink a cup of water and take a few breaths to ease the nerves.

Ask questions

Make sure to ask some questions as this will show that you have done your homework and you are genuinely interested in the college, for example specific programs, research opportunities or Campus life.

Additionally, ask the interviewer about their personal experience with the college
Questions you could ask your interviewee

What advice would you give to a freshman like me?

• How did you pick your major? What were your favorite classes and why?
• What extracurricular activities were you involved in and how did it enrich your experience?
• How has Harvard’s culture and community influenced your personal or academic growth?
• How do you balance academics with social life at Harvard?

Prepare yourself to face rejection

Not every application will be accepted; even if your application was successful, they may not choose you. Don’t give up; instead, seek input from teachers and mentors and work on your weaknesses for future applications. Take it as a positive and do your best!

WHAT TO DO IF YOU DON’T GET INTO UNIVERSITY?

• Find out why you got rejected
• Stay positive
• Don’t take it personal
• Take it as a lesson and learn from it to avoid those mistakes in the future
• Think about other options or retry next year
• Enjoy yourself through traveling so when you come back you can start all fresh

Have a backup plan

It is always preferable to apply to numerous institutions at once so that you have a broader variety of alternatives. If not the same course, you might apply for a different course to ensure that you have other options if your first choice does not work out.
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Conclusion

It is quite difficult to get into Harvard University, but it is not impossible! Understanding Harvard’s culture, beliefs, and community will make it a better place. Additionally, academics, extracurricular activities, a great personal statement, interviews, an exceptional portfolio, and a lack of fear of rejection would all help your application

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Learning from other people’s experiences could be beneficial for you as well. Even though everyone is unique, you might be able to gain support from other people’s tips and methods, making your path much smoother.