Harvard First Year Application Tips?

Hey everyone! I'm about to start working on my Harvard first-year application and I'm feeling a bit nervous. Any suggestions or tips on what to focus on to make my application stand out? Thanks in advance!

Hi there! Applying to Harvard can definitely be intimidating, but don't worry—you've got this. Here are some tips to help you create a strong application:

1. High-Achievement: Maintain a high GPA in challenging courses, and consider investing time and energy into shooting for a high score on the SAT or ACT. While Harvard is officially test-optional, at such a selective school, you generally want to showcase your strengths in as many ways as possible - for context, 83% of students who were accepted to Harvard in the most recent application cycle submitted a test score. For further guidance on how to navigate test-optional policies, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/does-test-optional-mean-test-optional/.

2. Deepen Your Extracurricular Involvement: Harvard values deeply involved students with a specialty, rather than well-rounded ones. Focus on developing a "spike" in your area of interest, which can set you apart from even other talented applicants to Harvard, and participate in activities related to that field. Aim for Tier 1 or Tier 2 extracurriculars that demonstrate leadership, talent, and commitment - if you want to learn more about extracurricular tiers, you can find more information in this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/breaking-down-the-4-tiers-of-extracurricular-activities.

3. Showcase Your Intellectual Curiosity: Harvard loves students who are passionate about learning. Display your love for knowledge and show how you have pursued your academic interests outside the classroom (e.g., independent projects, online courses, or research).

4. Be Honest and Authentic: Harvard receives thousands of applications from high-achieving students, so standing out hinges on showcasing your unique personality, values, and experiences. Be genuine in your essays and other written materials, and avoid trying to be someone you think they want, as that will simply lead to you coming across as generic.

5. Tailor Your Supplemental Essays: Harvard's supplemental essays are an opportunity to highlight aspects of your life or experiences that aren't well-represented in the rest of your application. Choose topics that provide insight into your personal growth, values, or interests. These essays should complement—not repeat—your Common App or Coalition App essay, to provide a richer picture of who you are. If you want more detailed guidance on how to tackle Harvard's supplemental essays, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-harvard-university-essays/.

6. Request Strong Recommendation Letters: Select teachers who know you well and can write about your academic strengths, work ethic, and personal attributes. Make sure they provide specific examples to support their claims.

7. Demonstrate Interest: While Harvard does not directly consider demonstrated interest in their decision-making process, attending virtual tours or information sessions, connecting with current students or alumni, and researching the school's programs can help you gain valuable insights about the school that will allow you to better tailor your application to Harvard's values.

Remember, Harvard has a holistic review process, which means they consider all aspects of your application. So, you want to be sure each piece is as strong as possible, rather than putting all your eggs in one basket, at the expense of other important factor. By following these tips and staying true to yourself, you'll put together a strong application that sets you apart. Good luck!