How can you get accepted to harvard

Students can demonstrate these qualities both in their supplemental essays and with the extracurricular activities they pursue. Intellectualism is a quality Harvard places a great deal of importance on, particularly in the social sciences and humanities.

Applicants with interesting academic backgrounds who have combined their academic passions with research, fieldwork, and other extracurricular involvement have a leg up over other candidates.

Our free chancing engine takes into account your history, background, test scores, and extracurricular activities to show you your real chances of admission—and how to improve them.

The best way to improve your chances of acceptance is to have extremely strong academics—and to complete the most challenging coursework available. Competitive candidates to a top-ten school like Harvard have often completed upward of 12 AP courses. This is a single score that represents the strength of your GPA, test scores, and class rank if your school ranks.

Harvard does not superscore standardized test scores but evaluates the highest test scores in each section across test dates. Due to the challenges presented by COVID, Harvard was test-optional for the admissions cycle and has extended its test-optional policy for the admissions cycle. CollegeVine recommends you take either the SAT or ACT if you can do so safely, as students who submit scores are accepted at higher rates than those who do not. Not sure if your standardized test score makes the grade?

You can get recommendations on whether or not to apply test-optional using our free chancing engine. While Harvard values GPA and test scores as a strong indicator of academic ability, it considers them among a host of other factors.

For instance, you can find a detailed list of the questions that the Harvard admissions committee will ask about your application on their What We Look For page. Beyond the scores and awards, there are a number of particular characteristics that Harvard is seeking in its future students. One very important factor is that successful applicants stand out. Showing off something special and interesting about yourself will pique and hold the interest of the admissions committee.

The ideal Harvard applicant, in the eyes of the admissions office, is someone who has not only succeeded in high school and maintained a high GPA, but has taken on challenges and risen to the occasion.

That applicant is someone who has potential for further growth as well as a strong history of achievement, intellectual curiosity, and dedication to their interests and goals.

The opportunities that Harvard offers are best suited to those who actively seek out new challenges, work well with others, and can manage the pressures and freedoms of college life successfully. In the end, Harvard wants to admit students who will actively continue the process of strengthening and building this venerable institution. Below, are a few tips that are particularly important to consider when applying to an intensely competitive school like Harvard:.

Start early and budget enough time. Being able to reread and edit your responses can lead to a much stronger application. For the Class of , While it was previously thought that the difference in acceptance rates was due to a more qualified early applicant pool, our data shows that applying early does increase your chances of acceptance, even while controlling for applicant strength.

This is not the time to downplay your accomplishments. Harvard will be better able to assess your personal qualities if they know why you took certain actions and how your experiences have changed you. If your teacher is also your athletic coach or club leader, he can add even more dimension to the recommendation.

Pick two teachers from two different subjects. Don't ask your sophomore and junior year English teachers to write recommendations, or it may look like you only excel in one subject. Pick someone who you know will write a knockout recommendation. Ask older students if they recommend a certain teacher, or if there's a teacher who has a reputation of being late with the recommendations or not writing anything too specific. You should not only pick a teacher or person who has a close connection to you, but someone who you know will write something detailed and positive.

Add supplementary materials if they are necessary. Though you should generally avoid making your application bulkier than it needs to be, if you really feel that you have an exceptional talent to show Harvard that does not fall into the traditional application, send it along. Remember to show discretion. Only share these materials if you feel that you are truly exceptional in some way. Add in why you are a good candidate for the school.

Explain how you want to help improve the world and how going to Harvard would help you achieve it. But try to keep the explanation brief. If you are an exceptional musician, you can send a tape of yourself playing music.

If you're an amazing actress, send along a tape of yourself in your latest school play. If you're an award-winning creative writer, send along a short story. Fill out the actual application in a thoughtful manner.

This is the place where you will provide information about your biography, your family, your extra-curricular activities and work experience, and your honors, activities, and work experience. Do this thoughtfully and in a way that shows you know how to follow directions. Be thorough. Fill out all of the space you are given without going over the limit.

Write neatly. If you're filling out your application by hand, demonstrate your diligence through good handwriting. Be impressive. Describe your activities and honors in the most impressive way possible.

You don't have to lie to make the most of your accomplishments. Make sure that all aspects of your application are completed before you put it in the mail. If you forget at item of the application, you will not be considered for candidacy. Keep a checklist of all the items you need before you mail your application in or submit it online.

Here's what you need: [8] X Research source The application. You should arrange to have the testing company send the scores directly to Harvard's admissions office.

Again, these should be sent to the admissions office by the testing company. Two teacher reports recommendations. The Harvard supplement. This is a short application that will provide more information about your academic and extra-curricular interests. Your financial aid application if you qualify. The school report and mid-year school report. Fill out the information on the top of these and hand them to your school guidance counselor.

The school report should be turned in by your counselor before your application is due, and your mid-year report should be turned in in early February.

Remember that if you are accepted to Harvard, your final school report will also be turned in, so you should maintain a record of excellence. Your application fee or application fee waver. Part 4. Turn your application in on time or early. The Harvard application process involves a series of steps accomplished over a period of several months. If you're applying for admission for a fall term early or for the regular admissions deadline, you need to turn in your application on time.

The application will be available by mid-August, and you should get a head start on it. Here are some important dates to remember: [10] X Research source Early Action candidates should apply by November 1 and will receive notice by December 13th. Harvard recommends that these candidates turn in their application by October 15th.

Regular Decision candidates should apply by January 1st and will receive notice by March 28th. Harvard recommends that these candidates turn in their application by December 15th. If you really want to go to Harvard, apply early. The decision is non-binding, so you'll have until May 1st to make your decision and to compare financial aid packages from colleges if they are necessary. Though Harvard states that you will not get an advantage for applying early, you should do so to show your commitment to Harvard.

You'll also feel more at ease if you know you've been accepted to Harvard early! If you apply Early Action, you won't be able to apply to any other colleges early. The only exception is if you also apply to your local public institution. Meet for an interview if you are selected to do so. Once you apply to Harvard, you may be asked to meet an alum for an interview in your local area. You should go to this meeting to show that you are truly interested.

It won't make or break your chances of getting in, but if you really want to go to Harvard, then you should do everything you possibly can to make your Harvard dream a reality. Be prompt, polite, courteous, and engaging if you do meet. Prepare a few questions to ask about the Harvard experience. Don't worry if you're not asked to have an interview. This could just be because it was difficult to arrange a meeting between you and someone in your area.

Wait for a decision. Once you've turned in your application, there's not much that you can do but wait for the decision. You can state whether you'd like your decision via email or an official letter on your application. In the meantime, here's what you can do: Maintain a record of excellence. Though you can relax a little bit , this is not the time to slack off, cut class, or stop being a stellar student.

Harvard will take your mid-year and if you're accepted final reports seriously. We do everything possible to make the best admissions decision for each student. Not sure how to fill out the admissions application to Harvard? Here are some helpful tips from our admissions committee. Here you'll find a detailed explanation of each requirement of the application, including teacher recommendations, test scores, and school reports.

Students who have completed at least one but not more than two continuous academic years in a full-time program may apply to transfer to Harvard. Skip to main content. Paying the admissions application fee is a hardship for my family. Can I get a waiver? Can I self-report my test scores? Breadcrumb Admissions Apply.

What We Look For. Overview There is no such thing as a "typical Harvard student" In our admissions process, we give careful, individual attention to each applicant. Growth and Potential. Have you reached your maximum academic and personal potential? Have you been stretching yourself? Have you been working to capacity in your academic pursuits, your full-time or part-time employment, or other areas?