Gunning for Harvard: what should I do to increase my chances?

I'm a high school junior with my heart set on Harvard. What should I do in terms of academics, extracurriculars, and other aspects of my application to improve my chances of getting accepted?

To increase your chances of being admitted to Harvard, it's vital to excel academically, participate in meaningful extracurricular activities, and craft a strong application. Here are some tips to help you improve each area:

1. Academics:

- Take the most challenging courses available at your school, such as AP or IB classes, and maintain a high GPA. Even if a course isn't directly relevant to your intended major, you should still challenge yourself, as Harvard wants to accept students who love learning just for the sake of knowledge.

- Prepare well for standardized tests like the SAT or ACT. Although Harvard has adopted a test-optional policy, strong test scores can enhance your application.

2. Extracurriculars:

- Focus on quality over quantity. Most successful applicants to top colleges have 8-10 extracurriculars, but they are highly involved and/or accomplished in a smaller subset of those.

- Develop a "spike," or a specific area of expertise. Top colleges, including Harvard, prefer applicants with a well-developed specialty, as that gives them a clearer sense of what you have to offer that another applicant doesn't.

- Aim for leadership positions and significant achievements in your chosen activities. This could include working your way up to club president, achieving regional or national recognition, or initiating a significant community project.

- Pursue activities that demonstrate your passion and dedication. Tier 1 and Tier 2 extracurricular activities will be particularly impressive to Harvard admissions. If you want to learn more about extracurricular tiers, check out CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/breaking-down-the-4-tiers-of-extracurricular-activities

3. Application:

- Request strong letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, or mentors who can speak to your character, academic abilities, and personal growth, and add crucial context to the person you are, not just your numerical achievements like GPA or SAT score.

- Write a compelling personal statement that showcases your unique story, voice, and perspective. Be authentic, reflective, and avoid cliché topics. Once you have a solid draft, remember that CollegeVine offers both free peer essay reviews and paid reviews by expert college admissions advisors, if you want to get a second set of eyes on your writing.

- Craft engaging supplemental essays that demonstrate your fit with Harvard and how you can contribute to its community. While Harvard's prompts may change next year when you're applying, you can start getting a sense of what they're looking for by reading over CollegeVine's breakdown of this year's prompts: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-harvard-university-essays/

- Make sure your application is cohesive, meaning that all components (essays, extracurriculars, academics) support and complement each other. This will help create a clear picture of who you are as an applicant.

4. Additional suggestions:

- Research and visit the campus (if possible) to gain a better understanding of Harvard's culture, opportunities, and programs. This knowledge can be useful when writing the supplemental essays and displaying genuine interest.

- If Harvard is your first choice and you're confident in your application, consider applying Restrictive Early Action. This can slightly boost your chances of admission, and is a non-binding commitment.

- Seek feedback on your essays and application from trusted mentors, teachers, or CollegeVine advisors. Constructive criticism can help you refine your application further.

Remember that while following these guidelines can help you maximize your chances of admission, Harvard remains a highly competitive institution. Stay focused and work diligently towards your goals, but also consider applying to a variety of other top-tier colleges to ensure you'll have options. Good luck!