What Does Harvard University Look For? Requirements + Tips

Applying to Harvard might feel like a lot, but knowing what admissions officers actually want can make things much simpler. What does Harvard look for in an applicant?

The answer includes strong academics, compelling extracurriculars, and an authentic story that showcases your unique strengths. Let’s dive into the key aspects of building a successful Harvard application.

• Harvard Admission Requirements
• Academic Excellence: GPA, Standardized Tests, and Course Rigor
• Holistic Admissions: Character and Personal Qualities
• Bringing It All Together: Personal Essays and Extracurriculars
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

Harvard Admission Requirements

If you’re dreaming of Harvard, the first step is submitting your application through the Common Application or the Coalition Application. Once you hit submit, you’ll gain access to Harvard’s application portal, where you can monitor your materials and even update your application if necessary.

Harvard takes a holistic approach to admissions, meaning they don’t just focus on grades and test scores. Instead, they look at everything that makes you unique. Here’s a breakdown of what Harvard specifically considers:

1. Academic records

Your transcript is one of the most critical pieces of your application. Harvard will review your GPA, grades, and the rigor of your coursework to evaluate your academic performance. Did you challenge yourself with AP, IB, or honors classes? Taking difficult courses shows Harvard you’re ready for a demanding college curriculum.

2. Letters of recommendation

Harvard requires three letters: two from teachers and one from your school counselor. These letters help Harvard see you through the eyes of educators who know your academic and personal strengths.

3. Standardized test scores

Harvard has reinstated its requirement for standardized test scores beginning with the class of 2029, meaning applicants must now submit SAT or ACT results as part of their application. According to Harvard Magazine, the university believes these scores provide a more comprehensive evaluation of academic readiness. If your scores reflect your abilities, submitting strong results can significantly strengthen your overall application.

4. Essays

This is your chance to stand out. Harvard requires a personal statement (the main Common App essay or Coalition essay) and five short supplemental essays, each 150 words or fewer. Use these essays to share your story, values, and experiences—Harvard wants to get to know the real you.

5. Extracurricular activities

Harvard values students who are passionate and committed to activities outside the classroom. Whether it’s leadership roles, artistic achievements, sports, or community service, Harvard wants to see what excites you and where you’ve made an impact.

6. Interview (optional)

Some applicants are offered interviews through Harvard alumni, but don’t stress if you don’t receive one. Interviews are a bonus opportunity for Harvard to learn more about you but aren’t a requirement for admission.

What else does Harvard consider?

Harvard doesn’t just focus on grades or test scores when evaluating applicants; they dig deeper to see the full picture of who you are. The admissions team considers a variety of factors that highlight your strengths, experiences, and potential contributions to their community:

• For starters, they’ll look at how rigorous your high school coursework was—challenging classes like AP or IB show you’re not afraid to push yourself academically.
• Beyond academics, Harvard pays attention to your talents and abilities, whether it’s a unique skill, an award-winning achievement, or a standout talent that sets you apart. They’re also very interested in your character—traits like leadership, resilience, and integrity hold a lot of weight because Harvard values students who will positively impact campus and beyond.
• If you’re a first-generation college student, that’s a meaningful part of your story and can strengthen your application. Similarly, having a parent or family member who attended Harvard won’t guarantee you a spot, but it can offer a slight advantage. 
• Harvard also prioritizes building a diverse community, so where you’re from—whether it’s a small town, a big city, or a country halfway around the world—adds value to your application.
• Finally, any work experience or volunteer efforts demonstrating your commitment, impact, and dedication can help you stand out as someone who takes initiative and contributes to the world around you.

Harvard’s review process is thorough, but that’s because they’re looking for students who bring more than just strong academics—they want individuals who will enrich their campus and thrive in a challenging, dynamic environment.

What doesn’t Harvard consider?

Harvard doesn’t weigh factors like class rank, state residency, religious affiliation, or demonstrated interest in the school. That means you don’t have to worry about visiting campus or emailing admissions to “prove” your interest—they care more about who you are.

Recommended high school courses

While Harvard doesn’t have strict course requirements, they do recommend a strong high school foundation to prepare you for their rigorous academics. Here’s what they suggest:

• 4 years of English
• 4 years of Mathematics
• 4 years of Science
• 4 years of Foreign Language
• 3 years of Social Studies
• 2 years of History

Harvard’s admissions process is competitive, but showcasing your academic strengths, extracurricular passions, and personal story will give you the best shot at standing out. Remember, Harvard wants students who will bring unique perspectives and make a lasting impact.

Academic Excellence: GPA, Standardized Tests, and Course Rigor

Getting into Harvard University is simply tough. With an acceptance rate sitting at just 3.6% for the Class of 2028, competition is intense. Still, it’s not impossible if you know what you’re doing and take the right steps to stand out.

Harvard admissions require top academic performance:

Successful applicants typically:

• Maintain a high GPA. The average GPA for admitted students is 4.2 on a 4.0 scale, reflecting nearly perfect grades and a history of excelling in challenging courses.
• Excel in standardized tests. Admitted students often score around 1500-1580 on the SAT or 34-36 on the ACT.
• Challenge themselves with rigorous coursework. Enroll in Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or other honors-level classes to demonstrate academic curiosity and drive.

In addition to these factors, admissions officers evaluate trends in your academic performance. Consistent excellence is impressive, but so is an upward trajectory that shows improvement and resilience.

For instance, if you faced challenges during your freshman year but improved significantly in later years, that demonstrates growth and perseverance.

Holistic Admissions: Character and Personal Qualities

At Harvard, who you are matters just as much as your grades. Your personal essay and extracurricular activities are your chance to bring those qualities to life and show Harvard the real you. It’s not about doing everything perfectly—it’s about telling a story of who you are and what makes you tick.

Here’s what Harvard wants to see:

• Resilience. Share a story about a challenge you faced and how you pushed through. Maybe you bounced back from a tough class, supported your family during a difficult time, or led a big project against all odds. Show how these moments shaped you.
• Curiosity. Highlight your love for learning and exploration. Did you dive into a topic because you were fascinated? Maybe you taught yourself coding, spent hours on a research project, or explored something outside the school curriculum.
• Leadership. Talk about the times you stepped up to lead. Did you run a club, organize a community event, or inspire your team during a tough season? It doesn’t have to be big—even small moments of leadership matter.
• Integrity. Reflect on moments when you stood by your values, even when it wasn’t easy. Did you resolve conflicts fairly, make a hard choice, or stand up for what you believed in?
• Collaboration. Share experiences where you worked with others to make something happen. Did you contribute to a group project, join forces to solve a community issue, or help classmates succeed?

Bringing It All Together: Personal Essays and Extracurriculars

Your personal essay and extracurriculars go hand-in-hand. Together, they tell Harvard who you are beyond your test scores and transcripts. Think of your extracurriculars as the ‘what’—the experiences, roles, and projects you took on—and your essay as the ‘why’—the stories and reflections behind those experiences.

Extracurricular activities

Extracurriculars are the story of your life outside the classroom—and Harvard loves a great story. Instead of spreading yourself thin, focus on what you truly care about. Harvard doesn’t need a laundry list of activities; they want to see depth, passion, and impact.

Successful applicants often:

• Hold leadership positions. Were you a club president, team captain, or project leader? Talk about the difference you made in those roles.
• Pursue passions deeply. Did you stick with something and grow from it? Whether it’s mastering an instrument, competing in science fairs, or advocating for a cause, show what kept you going.
• Take initiative. Did you see a problem and step up to solve it? Starting a fundraiser, launching a campaign, or creating a program shows creativity and drive.

Once you’ve identified your most meaningful extracurriculars, it’s time to showcase them in a way that highlights your passion, dedication, and growth. These experiences can significantly impact your application, especially for top schools like Harvard.

Here’s how to present them effectively:

Essays

Harvard’s 2024-2025 cycle application process includes five supplemental essays, each with a maximum of 100 words, in addition to the Common Application essay. These supplemental essays provide an opportunity to showcase various aspects of your experiences and character.

When discussing your extracurricular activities in these essays, it’s essential to go beyond merely listing them. Instead, bring them to life by sharing the stories behind them. Here’s how to structure your responses:

• Start with your challenges. Describe any obstacles you faced, such as balancing team dynamics, securing funding, or overcoming personal doubts.
• Highlight your actions and impact. Explain what you did to address these challenges and the outcomes of your efforts, such as organizing a successful fundraiser, initiating a community service project, or mentoring peers.
• Reflect on the experience. Discuss what these experiences taught you about leadership, teamwork, or resilience. Harvard is interested in understanding how these activities have shaped you as a person.

By following this approach, you can provide a concise yet compelling narrative demonstrating your personal growth and readiness for the challenges at Harvard.

College resume

Your college resume should present your extracurriculars in a polished, easy-to-read format. Admissions officers should immediately understand what you did, why it mattered, and what results you achieved.

You can submit a resume as supplemental material to Harvard College if you have exceptional talents or achievements to highlight. While Harvard’s standard application is usually sufficient, optional materials like resumes, artwork, music recordings, or academic work samples can showcase your unique skills. 

Resumes should be concise (1–2 pages) and tailored to the opportunity. For other materials, file size limits apply (e.g., 5 MB for images, 10 MB for PDFs). Media can also be linked via platforms like YouTube or SoundCloud. Transfer applicants with artistic talents may use Slideroom. 

Follow this resume structure:

• Titles and roles. Be specific about your position and responsibility. For example, instead of saying “Member, Robotics Club,” you could write “President, Robotics Club,” or “Lead Programmer, Robotics Competition Team.”
• Key achievements. Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible. Did you grow club membership by 30%, raise $5,000 for a cause, or win a regional competition? Numbers help illustrate your success clearly and make your contributions stand out.
• Time commitment. Show your dedication by including both the weekly hours you spent and the duration of your involvement (e.g., 10 hours/week, 2 years). This communicates the time and energy you invested.
• Impact and growth. Highlight not just what you accomplished but also what you learned and how you grew. Did you become a stronger leader, develop better organizational skills, or gain confidence? Showing personal growth alongside measurable achievements makes your extracurriculars even more compelling.

Thoughtfully sharing your extracurriculars in both your essay and resume can present a well-rounded, authentic picture of who you are. Remember, it’s not just about the activities you’ve participated in but about the meaning behind them and how they’ve shaped your story.

Letters of recommendation and optional interviews

Strong recommendation letters are required, and Harvard wants two letters from teachers plus one from your counselor. These letters can make a big impact by showcasing both your academic abilities and your character.

Here are some tips for getting the best recommendations:

• Choose the right teachers. Pick teachers who know you well and can share specific examples of your strengths. Teachers from junior or senior year—especially those who taught core subjects like English, math, or science—are ideal.
• Help them help you. Give your recommenders a short resume or outline of your achievements and goals. Remind them of key moments where you excelled or made an impact.
• Make it personal. Let your recommenders know what Harvard means to you and what you hope to bring to the university. This can help them tailor the letter to align with your goals and showcase how you’re a great fit.
• Be grateful and timely. Request your recommendations well in advance—at least a month before the deadline—and express your gratitude. A thoughtful thank-you note can go a long way in showing appreciation.
• Follow up. If deadlines are approaching, politely follow up with your recommenders to ensure everything is on track. Most teachers balance many requests, so a gentle reminder can be helpful.

Optional interviews:

While interviews are optional, they present an excellent opportunity to connect with an alum and share your story. Not everyone is offered an interview, but treat it as a conversation if you are. Here are some suggestions:

• Discuss your experiences, goals, and why Harvard excites you.
• Be yourself and let your personality shine through.
• Prepare questions to ask your interviewer about their Harvard experience or advice.
• Practice common interview questions to feel confident and articulate.
• Dress appropriately to make a good impression while staying comfortable.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What do colleges look for in applicants?

Colleges look for strong academics, meaningful extracurriculars, and personal qualities that set you apart. They want passionate, driven students who will positively contribute to their campus.

2. Do colleges care about freshman year?

Yes, but they focus more on your overall high school performance and improvement over time. A rough freshman year won’t hurt you if you show growth in later years.

3. How hard is it to get into Harvard?

Harvard is extremely competitive, with an acceptance rate of 3.6% for the Class of 2028. You need stellar academics, impressive extracurricular achievements, and a compelling story to stand out.

4. How important are extracurricular activities in college admissions?

Extracurriculars are crucial because they show who you are beyond academics. Colleges value depth, impact, and leadership over simply being involved in many activities.

5. Should I take challenging courses, even if it might lower my GPA?

Yes, colleges prefer to see you challenge yourself with rigorous courses. A slightly lower GPA in tough classes shows effort, ambition, and preparation for college-level work.

Takeaways

• To increase your chances of getting into Harvard, submit strong academic records with a target GPA of 4.2 (weighted on a 4.0 scale), and an SAT score between 1500 and 1580 or an ACT score between 34 and 36.
• Show leadership, initiative, and passion through extracurriculars.
• Write compelling, authentic essays that reveal your story. Be prepared to write five supplemental essays alongside your Common App essay.
• Build strong relationships for detailed recommendations. Harvard requires three letters: two from teachers and one from your school counselor.
• Need help getting into Harvard? Try asking a college admissions counselor for advice.