Harvard supplementary materials - how important?

Hi everyone, I'm working on my Harvard app right now, and I'm curious about the role of supplementary materials (like a portfolio, research papers, etc.). How important are they for my application, and what are some examples of good supplements?

Supplementary materials can play a helpful role in your Harvard application, but they are not required nor crucial for the majority of applicants. These materials can showcase specific talents or interests that may not be fully represented in other parts of your application.

However, keep in mind that the admissions committee already evaluates your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities through your transcripts, standardized test scores (if submitted), recommendations, and essays. Supplementary materials are optional for a reason - you should only submit them if they add genuinely new information to your profile. Harvard has a lot of applications to read, and they won't appreciate being presented with redundant information.

That being said, there are certain cases when submitting a supplementary material can strengthen your application. For example:

1. Art or Music Portfolio: If you have a strong background in visual arts, music, dance, or theater, submitting a portfolio can highlight your skills and dedication to this field. Make sure the quality of your work is high.

2. Research Papers or Scientific Projects: If you have conducted significant research or completed substantial scientific projects under the guidance of a mentor, they can further demonstrate your intellectual curiosity, especially within a particular field, and commitment to academic research. Ensure your paper is well-written, concise, relevant to the subject matter, and ideally related to your intended major.

3. Awards or Certificates: If you have received prestigious awards or certificates that are not easily understood or recognized from the activities section of your application, you might include supplementary material that provides context and highlights the significance of the award.

As you decide whether to submit supplementary materials, make sure the content you provide is truly exceptional and adds value to your application. Submitting low-quality work or materials unrelated to your main interests could potentially dilute the overall strength of your application.

Ultimately, while supplementary materials can provide additional context and highlight your unique talents, it's essential to focus on the required components of your application first and foremost. Harvard admits plenty of students without supplementary materials, so use them thoughtfully and ensure they complement your overall application narrative.

Finally, if you want guidance on how to strengthen the "meat" of your application to Harvard, check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which breaks down how to tackle their school-specific supplemental essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-harvard-university-essays/. Even without any additional materials, the essays can be a great opportunity to show Harvard what you have to offer beyond your grades and other objective metrics.

Good luck!