Harvard's admission criteria: what are they looking for?

Hey everyone! I've been researching Harvard, and I'm curious about what they look for in applicants. What are the most important aspects of an application for them?

Hi there! There is no simple formula for admission to Harvard, but there are some key aspects that the admissions office will consider when evaluating your application:

1. Academic Achievement: Harvard seeks academically talented students, so strong grades, challenging coursework, and high test scores (if submitted) are essential. However, there is no strict cutoff for GPA and test scores, as they consider the context of each student's situation and high school.

2. Extracurricular Involvement: Harvard values applicants who have demonstrated significant involvement, leadership, and dedication in their extracurricular activities. They appreciate students who can contribute to the campus and community in unique ways, so focus on quality and depth rather than quantity in your activities.

3. Intellectual Curiosity: Showcasing your passion and curiosity for learning outside the classroom can make a difference. This can be demonstrated through independent research, creating your own projects, in-depth exploration of a subject, or participating in academic competitions/programs.

4. Personal Qualities: The personality and characters of applicants are essential, too. Through your essays and recommendation letters, demonstrate qualities such as resilience, determination, empathy, and a willingness to collaborate or tackle challenging issues.

5. "Spike" or Specialty: Successful applicants often have a highly-developed specialty, also known as a "spike," in a particular field. This shows that they have the potential to keep excelling in their chosen field, contributing positively to Harvard's reputation.

6. Essays: Engaging and well-written essays that showcase your authentic voice, unique experiences, and perspectives are crucial. Avoid cliché topics and focus on what sets you apart from other applicants.

Of course, there is no definitive answer to what Harvard is looking for as they utilize a holistic admissions process. They aim to create a diverse, well-rounded class and will consider factors such as geographic, socio-economic, and cultural background as well. Demonstrating a fit with Harvard's mission and values is also crucial to increasing your chance of admission. Good luck with your application!