Here is the fourth of our Harvard essays that worked:
We love this prompt — and you should have fun with it! Be playful. This is where they want to see you be a (responsible) fun teenager who will be a positive influence on the community, including your roommate. What night will be pasta night? What are you really good at making in a microwave? Is there a show you watch religiously? Or a hobby you’d love to share? Knitting stuffed animals, anyone? This prompt should be joyful, and possibly even silly — but don’t try to tell a joke. It’s hard to make humor land in a college application, so earnestness is always a better bet.
How to Answer it: The key to answering this prompt is to avoid focusing too much on the complement itself and instead focus on your response to receiving it and why it was so important to you. Note that this prompt is not an opportunity to brag about your achievements, but instead to showcase what truly matters to you. Select a compliment that truly speaks to who you are and what you value. It could be related to your character, work ethic, kindness, creativity, or any other quality that you hold in high regard. The compliment doesn’t have to be grand or come from someone with authority—it could be something small but significant that left a lasting impression on you, or it could have particular meaning for you because it came from someone you didn’t expect it to come from. Be brief in setting the stage and explaining the context of the compliment—what is most important is your reflection on its significance and how it shaped your understanding of yourself. Writing these essays may appear overwhelming, however, with an organized approach and meticulous attention to detail, they can serve as a boost to your overall application. This guide will equip you with proven techniques and insights to navigate the Harvard supplemental essays effectively. General Guidelines Besides your main essay for the Common or Coalition Application, Harvard University requires five supplemental essays, each a concise 200 words. Contrary to previous years, all the five essays are now compulsory. No need to panic, though! More essays present additional avenues to reveal your personality and aspirations to the admissions officers. The succinct word count should not add significantly to your overall writing burden. Meanwhile, drafting your response requires thoughtful planning to maximize the limited word allocation.
Consider your essays and application materials collectively as a narrative that offers a comprehensive picture of your identity and aspirations. In practical terms, this implies leveraging each essay to highlight distinct aspects of your personality and experiences. The objective is to exhibit an array of distinctive facets about yourself through your essays, avoiding redundancy and repetition. Each essay is a fresh canvas to illustrate a unique dimension of your persona.
As you pen down your essays, always stay true to yourself. If the question asks about particular experiences or activities that have made a profound impact, delve into its influence on your objectives, perceptions, and routines. Opt for subjects that genuinely resonate with you, rather than attempting to mold your narrative to meet perceived expectations. Authentic and heartfelt writing is powerful and the lack thereof is evident. Let your personality radiate through your words!
Now, let’s dig into the prompts in more detail. The Harvard admissions gatekeepers have the Herculean task of sifting through thousands of applications annually, with an acceptance rate hitting an all-time low of 3.41% for the 2022-2023 admission cycle. Outstanding academics and co-curricular prowess are staples in many applications, stressing the importance of the supplemental essays for candidates to distinguish themselves. At only 150 words, you don’t have much room to elaborate here. Remember from our guide that Harvard admissions officers are on the lookout for exceptional students who know how to take initiative. This essay prompt is one of your main opportunities to show that you’ve taken your education into your own hands and sought learning experiences outside the classroom. Meeting your first-year roommate has always been a suspense-filled rite of passage for new college students. At most universities around the country, students have the ability to take advantage of social networks and online platforms to select their own roommates. At Harvard, students do not get to choose. To assist in the matching process, incoming freshmen are asked to a First-Year Housing Questionnaire. Remember that many successful Harvard applicants have regional, national, or international achievements. If you have one, then you should probably write about it. If not, you might think about which activity was most meaningful to you or those around you—activities like caring for a grandparent, volunteering at a food bank, or working a summer job can demonstrate admirable values that your Harvard admissions officer will love.
Looking to make your Harvard supplemental essays stand out?
What Makes it Unique: This prompt is unique in both form and substance—first, you only have 150 words to write about all 3 things. Consider using a form other than a traditional essay or short answer response, such as a bullet list or short letter. Additionally, note that the things your roommate might like to learn about you do not necessarily overlap with the things you would traditionally share with an admissions committee. The aim of the prompt is to get to know your quirks and foibles—who are you as a person and a friend? What distinguishes you outside of academics and accolades?
So, no, the Harvard essay is not really optional.
Craft that reflect your own uniqueness and strengths, leveraging strategies and advice that will impress the admissions committees. My experience and techniques as a Harvard grad and will help you navigate your . Together, we can transform your essays into strong .
What are Harvard's Essay Prompts?
The Harvard supplement has five questions, and each allows for a response up to 200 words. Each of these supplements really matter, and need to be treated as mini-essays with stories, anecdotes, narrative arcs, and a lot of editing and spell-check. There is no excuse for sloppiness. You also need to be careful not to repeat anything in the supplements, or reiterate something that has already been said in the main Common App essay. New info only! Sometimes this requires creativity, because the “perfect” answer to two supplements may be the same story…but that doesn’t fly. Challenge yourself to present new information about yourself in each supp — again, no repeats!
How to Answer Harvard's Essay Prompts
How to Approach: This is a two-part question, so you need to address both components within the 200-word limit. Firstly, focus on your background, disparities, or unique aspects that shaped who you are today. It could be engrossing stories about your family,extraordinary experiences, or ground-breaking influences that forged your identity. Next, discuss how these experiences make you a worthy addition to Harvard's diverse student body. You ought to link your personal experiences to your prospective contribution.