With their single-digit acceptance rates, world-renowned programs, and distinguished faculty, Ivy League schools are some of the most desirable universities in the world. While many students and parents view these prestigious schools as a singular bloc, it is critical to recognize that each Ivy League institution has its own distinct culture, programs, offerings, and campuses—and likewise, different values in the admissions review process.
Ranked the #1 university in the world, Harvard is the most prestigious and competitive of the Ivy League schools—and frequently, the most misunderstood. Getting into Harvard requires more than just stellar grades and test scores—it demands a specific and clearly articulated intellectual passion, leadership, and a demonstrated sense of purpose. In order to help students and parents better understand what it takes to become a standout Harvard applicant, we sat down with Command Education Senior Mentor Jane Pritchard, whose expertise has helped numerous students on their path to Harvard.
What qualities or characteristics do you think Harvard looks for in applicants that set them apart from other top universities?
Jane: The Command Education approach emphasizes the importance of a student’s “hook”—the core passion that underlies every aspect of their application—and while this is a critical component for an application to any top college, nowhere is it more essential than at Harvard. Unlike other Ivy League schools like Brown, where more diverse interests are an asset to an application, Harvard seeks applicants who are specialists in their area of interest; they want students who will come in with a deep focus in their particular field of study.
Additionally, Harvard looks for tangible evidence of this passion in a student’s application materials. In my experience, the most successful students are those who demonstrate their specialization through self-directed projects that coalesce around a clear and distinct message. For instance, one student I worked with had an interest in robotics—she participated in the FIRST Robotics Competition, deepening her skill set through the competition. Noticing the gender gap in the field, she wrote an op-ed for a science journal calling for more gender diversity in robotics and began connecting with women scholars in STEM, which led her to start a lecture series at her high school showcasing the innovations of women in the discipline. Another student who was interested in public policy and had struggled for years with a hearing impairment started a local campaign to raise awareness for those with diverse auditory capabilities. She facilitated decibel testing at restaurants and other gathering places that were popular with students in her area to create a more accommodating environment for students with hearing impairments, and went on to campaign at her state’s legislature for more ADA requirements for hearing disabilities.
In both cases, what stood out to the admissions committee was the students’ dedication to their academic interest outside of the classroom, their leadership and initiative, and their desire to influence change through their passions.
What is the biggest misconception that students and parents have about Harvard admissions?
Jane: Many students underestimate how much legacy matters, as well as the influence of donor connections and trustee letters, but Harvard is old school when it comes to prioritizing connections within the Harvard network. This does not mean that non-legacy students don’t have a shot by any means—but it does mean that if a student can secure a recommendation letter from someone connected to the Harvard community, it will carry some weight with admissions officers.
Unfortunately, I can’t say that the prestige is misunderstood. Harvard really is as hard to get into as you think—maybe even harder. Students who want to attend must be incredibly serious about their academic pursuits and they absolutely must start building their admissions profile early in their high school careers—Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a standout Harvard application.
What distinguishes a good Harvard application from a great one?
Jane: Any valedictorian can put together a good Harvard application, but a great Harvard application goes beyond academic achievement to showcase a student’s leadership in their intended field outside of the classroom. This isn’t to say that you don’t need stellar grades—you do, and admissions officers want to see that you are prepared for the rigors of Harvard coursework. But even if a student has impeccable grades and test scores, without demonstrating initiative and individual effort in their extracurricular pursuits, their application will get lost in a sea of other academically impressive profiles. The ability to connect academic interests with real-world applications, and to do so independently, is what sets a great application apart.
How have you helped students level up their Harvard applications?
Jane: Because a singular hook is so important in Harvard admissions, I have coached students first and foremost to develop their hook. A truly standout hook at Harvard is one that is rooted in a student’s academic interests and goes above and beyond in its dedication to the subject. Some of the students I have worked with participated in lots of community service initiatives, activities, and summer programs—but they struggled to pull all of their many involvements together into a cohesive profile. I mentored these students to bring together their interests in an individual initiative related to their academic area of study—whether spearheading a data science initiative raising awareness for the higher threat of gambling addiction in rural areas, presenting a conference publication showcasing their research on implicit gender bias in grading, or drafting public policy initiatives combating gentrification in their area.
Students should keep in mind that executing impressive, high-level projects of this nature will likely require skill-building beyond the classroom—something that Harvard admissions officers look highly upon. Whether it’s learning to code, attending a prestigious summer program, taking an online course, mastering public speaking, or finding relevant conferences, I have worked with students to boost their practical skills in their field and acquire the means to execute their projects on their own. Once they launched their initiatives, we also worked together to gain local and national media attention for their work, as well as apply for grants, fellowships, and awards related to their work in order to elevate their admissions profiles.
How important are extracurricular activities, and what kind of activities have you found to be particularly compelling to Harvard admissions officers?
Jane: Extracurricular activities are crucial, particularly those that demonstrate academic excellence and community leadership. Harvard looks for students who have taken the initiative to pursue their interests independently outside of the classroom—whether by founding a club, conducting research, or developing a project on their own. Self-taught skills, grassroots efforts, and the ability to execute complex ideas through their own creativity and initiative are particularly compelling to Harvard admissions officers. With your extracurriculars, you should show the admissions committee that you are self-taught, immensely competent, and eager to go the extra mile both in and outside of the classroom.
What advice would you give to students who may feel overwhelmed by the prestige and competitiveness of applying to Harvard?
Jane: Harvard is exactly as prestigious as it sounds—if not more—and the competition is truly intense. But just because it is the #1 school in the nation doesn’t mean that it should be the #1 school on every student’s list. You could be an amazing student but not have the profile that Harvard is looking for—you may be incredibly smart and talented, but not pursuing your interests in exactly the kind of academically-minded way that Harvard prioritizes, for instance. Likewise, Harvard remains a traditional university, suited for traditional learners, with a strong focus on graduating students who will pursue law school or PhDs. If your interests align more with cutting-edge fields in tech, for example, Harvard might not be the best fit. Whether they have their heart set on Harvard or not, students should remember that the most important thing is not prestige, but finding a school that aligns with their interests and goals where they can flourish over the next four years.
Command Education Senior Mentors like Jane help students find their best-fit school, set and meet goals as they build standout admissions profiles, and ultimately earn acceptance to their dream institutions. If your student dreams of attending Harvard, schedule a free consultation today to learn how Command Education can help them level up their admissions profile and stand out to the Harvard admissions committee!
*Names and details have been changed to protect students’ privacy.
