Here are examples of experiences you could talk about for this essay:


For more help with your Harvard supplemental essays, check out our 2020-2021 ! For more guidance on personal essays and the college application process in general,
You’ll want to offer a few specific ways that show how the experience/s you’re discussing in your essay will allow you to contribute to Harvard. The easiest way to do this is to do some “Why Us”-like research and find ways you’ll engage with and contribute to the Harvard community. Highlight a core identity. In the example essay, the applicant highlights their Jewish heritage and the profound impact it has had on their life choices and commitments. This is a great way to approach this prompt—think of communities/identities that you claim, pick one that Harvard isn’t seeing elsewhere, and show how that aspect of you + your experiences will allow you to contribute to the Harvard community. Similarly, for the Harvard prompt, ensure you shed light on the aspects of your background that have shaped your identity. This could be cultural, familial, or personal attributes that have molded you into the individual you are today. Provide concrete examples of impact. Just as the sample essay vividly narrates the applicant's journey in Jewish activism, so you’ll want to offer specific instances that exemplify the impact your background has had on your decisions and pursuits. Whether through personal experiences, engagements, or projects, share specific moments where your background has led you to initiate meaningful actions. In short, . Connect to Harvard's community. The sample essay could be stronger if the writer reflected even more on how they might continue to nurture their identity at Harvard. How can you do that? Address how your background, values, and commitments align with Harvard's vision and how you intend to extend these connections on campus to foster learning and shared growth. For example, perhaps you plan on joining (or creating?) relevant student clubs, volunteering at a local museum, or finding innovative ways to connect with students who share a similar background. You wouldn’t think an American Asian Affinity Space would be diverse, after all its whole premise is centered around one specific identity. However, members of the affinity space at my high school come from several different grades, genders and ethnicities. The group included a sophomore from China, a junior from Pakistan, and members from Korea, Japan, and even Israel. We each had unique stories of living as an Asian-American, yet, we had all chosen to come to this affinity group. As we spent time together, we were able to find shared experiences, like our parents preparing packed lunches for us from our country and being too embarrassed to bring them to school. Whether eating humbow or biryani, we all knew what it was like to feel out of place. Part—and really, a big part—of the college experience is being exposed to new people and perspectives. This prompt is the perfect springboard for showing your natural curiosity and interest in engaging in lively, productive discussions. “Productive” is key there—how have you learned to engage in ways that lead to understanding and growth (rather than, say, yelling), and how have you changed because of what you’ve learned from (or discussed with) others?

How to Write Harvard's Essays (with Real 2023 Harvard Essay Examples)

One of the most important parts of the college application process is the essay section. Especially when you’re looking at , or any of the Ivy League schools, your essays need to stand out. Looking at Harvard essays examples can help give you an idea of Harvard essays that worked and stood out to the team.

Intellectual Experience Duke University Essay Examples - Clastify

Many students find the Harvard essays, or any school’s essays, to be the most stressful part of applying. Reading plenty of Harvard essays examples can help to alleviate that stress. Understanding strong points of Harvard essays that worked will allow you to craft the most competitive application possible.

What do they mean by intellectual experience for an essay prompt?

Harvard requires applicants to complete a total of six essays: five supplemental essays and the . The personal statement prompt will be based on the application platform you are using, such as the Common Application or Coalition Application. Most students use the platform and complete the , choosing the prompt that most speaks to them.

Intellectual experience Harvard University Essay Examples - Clastify

In addition to the personal statement, students must also submit five short answer Harvard application essays. Each of these Harvard essays has a 200 word maximum. This article focuses on Harvard essays examples for those shorter essays.

Intellectual Curiosity — Essays that Won Entrance to Elite Colleges

What are supplemental essays supposed to look like when they ask you to describe something (for example, Harvard asks "briefly describe an intellectual experience that was important to you"). Are they expecting us to just straight out describe it (like an extended version of the activities section on the common app) or more like a narrative (like how the common app essays usually are)?