You’re probably staring at your computer screen, wondering about how successful Harvard applicants have crafted essays that worked. The Ivy League university has an acceptance rate of only 3.6%, and the essay is one thing that can help you stand out among other applicants.
Harvard requires all applicants to submit six essays: one personal essay through the Common Application, and five supplemental essays. The university highly suggests looking at it as a chance to write something that deeply resonates with you rather than simply spouting out what you think the admissions officers want to hear.
If you’re struggling to write your Harvard essays, we can offer some insights on essays that got into Harvard and give you tips on how to make your own successful Harvard essay.
- How to Write Harvard Personal Essays That Work
- Themes and Topics for Your Harvard Essay
- Harvard Supplemental Essays
- Why Harvard Essays Matter
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Takeaways
How to Write Harvard Personal Essays That Work
Every year, the university compiles 10 Harvard personal essay examples, along with professional reviews on why they worked. If you closely read these Harvard-accepted essays, you can find that they have some common traits that have helped convince the admissions officers that they can be worthy students of the university.
We’ve listed down these common traits for you, excerpts from Harvard-accepted essays, and tips on how to incorporate them into your own work.
1. Tell a compelling story.
Harvard essays that worked tell a compelling story.
Regardless of whether it’s a small, meaningful moment or a transformative experience, the narrative keeps readers engaged while revealing the applicant’s character and growth. These essays use vivid language, strong imagery, and engaging anecdotes to draw the reader in.
For example, below is an excerpt from one of the Harvard essays that worked, entitled “I, Too, Can Dance”:
“As the world sleeps, I lose myself in the cathartic cadences of fresh ink, bursting with stories to be told and melting into parched paper. I cobble together phrases until they spring off my tongue, as if the Sugar Plum Fairy herself has transformed the staccato rumblings of my brain into something legato and sweet.”
Storytelling is all about character development. This essay is filled with ballet terms and imagery to show the author’s transition from wanting to be a ballerina to discovering that they’re better at “dancing” on the page as she writes words.
Harvard wants students who can communicate effectively and engage others. Having a well-written narrative shows that you have strong writing skills and the ability to talk about complex ideas in a compelling way.
2. Offer a unique perspective.
Successful Harvard essays have fresh and insightful viewpoints on common topics or experiences. They show your unique perspective by avoiding clichés and generic statements. The uniqueness may come from your personal circumstances, cultural background, or simply creative thinking.
Harvard essays that worked also talk about the “why” behind your experiences. Instead of just describing events, you should analyze why they’re important and how they shaped your outlook or goals.
Here is an excerpt from another Harvard essay that worked:
“Over the years, I have learned to adapt when situations take an unexpected turn, and, similar to that time at the skatepark, I have been able to step out of my comfort zone more often.”
In the essay, the writer talks about being intimidated by the highest part of a skatepark and eventually overcoming it—which is something a lot of kids will relate to. However, the writer later connects it to how he also learns to step out of more comfort zones, such as being okay when things don’t go as planned.
Admissions officers look for diversity in thought and experience. A unique perspective shows intellectual curiosity by being able to talk about a seemingly normal experience and presenting it in a different light.
3. Show self-reflection and authenticity.
The most impactful essays talk about challenges, setbacks, or personal struggles and how the writer overcomes them. This demonstrates resilience, self-awareness, and the ability to learn from adversity.
Harvard essays that worked are also genuine and authentic, reflecting the applicant’s true personality, values, and passions. The writing style should be natural and engaging, letting your voice shine through.
Below is an example:
“There’s something human, empathetic, even redemptive about both art and biology. While they helped me reconcile with English and my new home, their power to connect and heal people is much bigger than my example alone. In college and beyond, I want to pay them forward, whether by dedicating myself to scientific research, performing in benefit concerts, or simply sharing the beauty of the arts.”
Her essay talks about the applicant’s experience as an immigrant student who had to learn English, how art and biology helped them understand and be understood, and how they want to contribute to any of those fields as well.
Harvard likes introspective students who can understand themselves, show personal growth, and articulate their learning process. Harvard-accepted essays are rich in self-reflection, revealing maturity and depth.
4. Be concise and impactful.
Harvard’s personal essays are 650 words long, while supplemental essays are 150 words each.
In order to keep your essay within the word count limit, maintain a clear focus, avoid tangents, and flow naturally from one idea to the next. Harvard essays that worked have depth without unnecessary elaboration, leaving a lasting impression.
Have a strong first sentence to hook the readers immediately. One of the Harvard essays that worked starts with just one line as its first paragraph:
“I’ve been alone for three years now.”
Then the applicant writes about their experience of being alone at home since their mother took on a job as a live-in caregiver. Their ending is also powerful, and connects to the first line:
“She always says that everything she’s doing now is for me and that when she gets old it’ll be my turn. Except when my turn comes, she will never have to be alone.”
Admissions officers like essays that are concise but impactful, showing that you can communicate your story powerfully within constraints.
5. Align it with Harvard’s values.
Harvard’s mission is to educate future leaders who have intellectual curiosity and are committed to service. Harvard essays that worked subtly demonstrate alignment with the university’s values, showing admissions officers how applicants are naturally a good fit for Harvard’s community and mission.
For example:
“I whisk, I sift, I stir, I pre-heat the oven again, but each batch has its flaws, either too sweet, burnt edges, grainy, or underdone. Though the cookies were born of boredom, their erratic nature continues to fascinate me. Each time my efforts yield an imperfect result, I develop resilience to return the following week with a fresh apron, ready to try again. I am mesmerized by the quirks of each trial. It isn’t enough to just mix and eat—I must understand.”
Through the simple hobby of baking and their determination to completely understand how different measurements and ingredients affect cookies, admissions officers can see how the applicant thinks, solves problems, and perseveres—all of which are important to Harvard.
Themes and Topics for Your Harvard Essay
Harvard essays that worked have a primary overarching theme or topic. If you’re still brainstorming what to write about to show your most authentic self, we’ve listed some ideas you can consider below.
Remember that these are only general themes, and presenting them from unique angles can help you stand out from other applicants who chose the same topic as you.
1. Overcoming adversity
Successful Harvard essays often explore challenges such as academic struggles, personal hardships, family problems, or societal obstacles and how the applicant grew stronger or learned valuable lessons.
A unique take on this theme is focusing on a seemingly small but meaningful challenge that shaped your character. Did you lose your beloved dog, spend the next days out of the house looking for him, and eventually find him? Maybe that made you realize how you don’t give up when you really want something.
Harvard essays that worked can also reflect on internal struggles rather than external circumstances. For instance, how did you deal (or still deal) with self-doubt or perfectionism?
If appropriate, you can still inject a bit of humor into your narrative to show resilience and a positive outlook.
2. Cultural identity and heritage
Some Harvard essays that worked explore how cultural background or traditions have shaped the applicant’s perspective or values.
Highlight an unexpected aspect of your culture or identity that has influenced you, or discuss how you’ve navigated the intersection of multiple cultural identities. If you are an Asian American, how did you handle the feeling of not being entirely Asian but not being entirely American either? How did that affect your experiences?
You can also show how your cultural experiences have inspired specific actions or goals. For example, if you are an African American born in the US who occasionally visits your family in Algeria, you might want to feel closer to your roots—which is why you’re applying for Harvard’s African and African American Studies program.
Harvard is committed to admitting diverse students. In fact, 45.9% of Harvard College identify as belonging to minority groups. Because of that, the admissions officers would definitely be interested in hearing about your cultural identity and heritage.
3. Leadership and community impact
Essays that showcase leadership experiences or contributions to the community tend to resonate well with admissions officers. One idea is to discuss how you inspired change or solved a problem in your community.
You might have a soft spot for strays, especially since your neighborhood has so many of them. Did you advocate for change by starting to give food and water to the strays near your house? Or maybe you went straight to your HOA and pitched a project that would benefit all the strays in your community?
Some Harvard essays that worked also reflect on leadership in non-traditional settings, such as family dynamics or informal group settings. Are you the eldest who took charge of your younger siblings while your parents were away for work? Are you the “parent” of your friend group who spearheaded planning for trips or defused arguments?
Regardless of your experience with leadership and community impact, emphasize what you learned about yourself and others through that work.
4. Personal passions and hobbies
Harvard essays that worked that were about a personal passion or hobby show individuality and commitment.
One idea is to focus on how your passion has evolved over time. For example, do you love photography? How have your skills improved since you first got into it? Or maybe you shifted from capturing moments with a camera to painting them down instead.
You can also share an unusual hobby, like teaching your rabbits the same tricks as dogs. Or, maybe you have a unique way of engaging with a common interest, such as trying to browse the internet in a target language you’re learning.
5. Vision for the future
Some Harvard essays that worked talk about an applicant’s aspirations and how Harvard fits into their long-term goals, which can be very compelling if done right.
Link your goals to a unique experience or insight from your life. Maybe you’re an advocate for women or the LGBTQ after going through some tough times yourself. You can talk about that experience and why you believe Harvard’s Women, Gender, and Sexuality program will help you reach that goal.
You can also describe a vivid moment when your vision for the future crystallized. Did you go on the campus tour and just immediately see yourself as a student? Or maybe someone who made a huge impact on you went to Harvard and you wanted to walk in their footsteps to make an impact on other people as well.
Regardless of the experience you’d like to write about, explain how your vision aligns with Harvard’s resources or mission.
Harvard Supplemental Essays
Aside from the personal essay (or personal statement), Harvard also requires you to submit five supplemental essays, whose prompts haven’t changed in the past few years.
Below are the Harvard supplemental essay prompts you should answer:
- Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a diverse student body. How will the life experiences that shape who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard?
- Briefly describe an intellectual experience that was important to you.
- Briefly describe any extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities shaping your identity.
- How do you hope to use your Harvard education in the future?
- Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.
If looking at all that exhausts you, don’t worry—the Harvard supplemental essays only have a limit of 150 words each.
The personal statement tells a comprehensive story that defines who you are, which is usually tied to personal growth, challenges, or aspirations. Meanwhile, supplemental essays let you be more in-depth on specific topics, values, or interests, so Harvard gains a more nuanced understanding of you.
When dealing with Harvard supplemental essays, you should generally have the same mindset as the personal essay. Read and understand the prompt well to choose the right story to present. Showcase personal growth, intellectual curiosity, and your unique perspective while staying authentic.
Why Harvard Essays Matter
Both personal and supplemental essays are important in the Harvard application since the university has a holistic admissions process—meaning they evaluate applicants beyond grades, test scores, and extracurricular achievements.
This approach aims to understand the applicant as the “whole person” so they can build a diverse and dynamic student body that can contribute to the university’s mission of intellectual growth, leadership, and service.
The admissions officers can do this through letters of recommendation, which tell them about your ethics, personality, and ambitions through a third person’s point of view. Another way is through essays, which are a window straight into the writer’s personality.
Harvard essays that work reveal your unique traits, such as curiosity, resilience, humor, and self-awareness, which may not be evident in other parts of the application. By exploring meaningful experiences, essays also highlight what you stand for, your ethics, and your priorities.
Essays even show how applicants think, solve problems, and learn from experiences. They usually reveal growth, leadership, and the ability to make impactful contributions to Harvard and society.
In highly competitive admissions pools, well-written essays can be the deciding factor. A great essay can distinguish you from others and reveal qualities that go beyond grades and test scores. They bring depth and emotion to an application, reminding admissions officers that they are evaluating people, not just numbers.
Essays can also explain contexts behind inconsistencies, such as dips in academic performance or gaps in extracurriculars, showing resilience and determination.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What kind of essays does Harvard like?
Harvard likes essays that talk about what the applicant genuinely cares about, such as their experiences, inspiration, and goals.
2. Can a good essay get you into Harvard?
Yes, a good essay can get you into Harvard. A strong essay can bridge the gap between qualifications and potential, meaning you can even be admitted despite not meeting the average GPA and SAT scores of Harvard applicants, as long as you have convinced admissions officers that you have the potential. However, remember that you will still be evaluated in other aspects, such as extracurriculars.
3. How many Harvard essays are there?
There are six Harvard essays: one personal statement and five supplemental essays.
Takeaways
Harvard essays that worked tell their writer’s unique story, demonstrate their character, and convince the admissions committee that they are a strong fit for the Harvard community.
- Harvard essays that worked have several common traits—such as strong storytelling, offering unique perspectives, being concise but impactful, and aligning with Harvard’s values.
- You can choose from several overarching themes and topics for your personal statement, but Harvard essays that worked have their writers’ own unique perspectives on it. Some general themes include overcoming adversity, cultural identity and heritage, and personal passions and hobbies.
- Harvard supplemental essays are also important, letting you go more in-depth about specific topics and values.
- Ready to write your Harvard essay? Our private consulting program offers deep editing on college essays, helping you refine your draft.
