What's the Secret Sauce to Get Into Harvard?

Okay, so Harvard is basically my dream school. I know it's super competitive and they get like a ton of applications every year. But, what exactly are they looking for? I mean, besides excellent grades and SAT/ACT scores. Do they give preference to specific extracurricular activities, leadership roles, or fields of interest? Any advice is appreciated!

While it's tempting to search for a "secret sauce" to get into Harvard, the truth is, that no exact formula ensures admission at such a selective school. However, there are key facets of an application that tend to stand out. Let's focus on these:

1. Strong Academics: You've mentioned grades and SAT/ACT scores, and you're correct! Top-tier schools like Harvard are keen on students who have excelled in rigorous courses. Aim for a GPA that's as close to 4.0 as possible, in advanced courses like AP and IB, and high standardized test scores - at least 1500 on the SAT, or 34 on the ACT.

2. Exceptional Extracurriculars: Harvard looks for standout applicants who have shown exceptional achievement in their extracurricular pursuits. In the 4 Tiers of Extracurriculars, aim for Tier 1 or Tier 2 activities, which signify a high level of achievement or leadership at national or state levels. Depth of commitment and achievement in fewer activities stands out more than having many extracurriculars with minimal involvement.

To learn more about extracurricular tiers and how to categorize your own involvements, I'd check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/breaking-down-the-4-tiers-of-extracurricular-activities

3. Demonstrated Interest in a Field: They also appreciate students who have explored their academic interests outside of the classroom. For instance, if you're interested in Computer Science, conducting independent research, participating in coding competitions, and attending relevant internships could strengthen your application.

4. Impressive Essays: Use your essays to offer a perspective into who you are, beyond your credentials. Harvard's essay prompts are crafted to gauge your personality, values, commitment, and fit for this particular institution. Reflect on experiences that have influenced you and express your vision and aspirations authentically.

CollegeVine's blog contains detailed breakdowns of how to tackle both your personal statement and Harvard's school-specific supplemental essays:

- Personal statement: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-common-application-essays/

- Supplements: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-harvard-university-essays/

5. Impactful Letters of Recommendation: Your teachers and counselors can provide meaningful insights into your abilities and character. An impactful recommendation comes from someone who knows you well and can elaborate on your personality traits, passions, and growth over time, to provide additional context for the achievements you showcase elsewhere in your application.

Finally, the closest thing to a "secret sauce" is not necessarily checking every box, but rather creating a cohesive narrative around your passion and desire to contribute to both the Harvard community and society as a whole. Remember, college applications only allow you to share a relatively small amount of information about yourself, and the more cohesive of a picture you can paint for Harvard admissions officers, the better they'll understand exactly what you'd bring to their storied campus.

Good luck!