Guidance for getting into Harvard University

Hello all! Yes, I'm one of those students dreaming of Harvard. It's been my dream school since forever. Does anyone have any advice on what I should do to increase my chances of getting admitted into Harvard University?

Firstly, it's great to see such determination! Here are some steps that might help increase your chances at Harvard:

1. Academics: Harvard places a significant emphasis on academic prowess. With an average admitted student GPA of around 4.18 and an average ACT / SAT score in the 34-36 and 1480-1580 range (mandatory for 2024-2025 application cycle), aiming for a similar or superior profile would be beneficial. A rigorous course load with many APs or IB (if available) could potentially distinguish you.

2. Extracurriculars: Harvard, like several other top universities, tends to favor students with a highly developed specialty (or 'spike') in an area. Involvement in a few extracurricular activities and demonstrating significant achievement or leadership in these areas is desirable. Activities that fall into Tier 1 or Tier 2 of the 4 Tiers of Extracurriculars have more value - winning national level competitions, becoming a student body president, or a top ranked sportsperson in the state, for instance.

3. Essays: Harvard accepts the Common App, so you'll need to write the essay on the application as well as an additional Harvard-specific essay. Make sure your essays truly reflect your personality, show intellectual curiosity, and speak volumes about your character. Keep it personal and unique to you - generic topics or experiences should be avoided.

4. Recommendations: Having strong letters of recommendation can be beneficial. These should ideally be from teachers who know you well and can write about your strengths and experiences at a granular level.

5. Interview: Doing well in your interview can help. Harvard uses this mostly as a means to clarify any grey areas in your application and discover more about your character.

Remember, no one can guarantee admission to schools as selective as Harvard, even if you do everything right. However, focusing on these areas will help strengthen your application overall. Best of luck!