🍦What is Harvard looking for? (Nov 20)

Good morning folks! Here’s what we have today:

1. Link Lounge Refresh: Hump Day—resources to get you over that hump!

2. Daily Deep Dive: Harvard College

3. Essay of the Week: Harvard’s ‘Disagreement’ Essay and how to approach it

FUN FACT OF THE DAY
Did you know…

🤥 Harvard’s Statue of 3 Lies: The John Harvard statue is a mainstay of Harvard Yard, but it’s also known as the “Statue of 3 Lies” because of these inaccuracies:

1. It states that John Harvard was the founder but he was the first major benefactor

2. It states that it was founded in 1638 but it was founded in 1636

3. The statue is not of John Harvard but a random student model used by the sculptor

Read more about the three lies of Harvard here!

LINK LOUNGE
Hump Day, here’s some resources to get you over that hump!

(NEW) Collegevine Chancing - Get a rough estimate of your real acceptance rate based on GPA, test scores, and EC’s

(NEW) Harvard Tips for Applying to College - quick and short 9 bullet points of tips to definitely read before applying

GE–Reagan Foundation Scholarship - Merit-based scholarship run by the Reagan Foundation

KapAdvisor - AI college counselor built on 80+ years of knowledge in the counseling space

DAILY DEEP DIVE
Harvard College

What vibe are they looking for?

Harvard University is a haven for intellectual pioneers and world-changers, where curiosity, leadership, and a commitment to service define the community. Harvard seeks students who are not only brilliant in their fields but also deeply reflective and eager to make an impact on a global scale. This isn’t just about academic excellence—it’s about using your talents to address complex challenges and drive societal progress.

What sets Harvard apart is its emphasis on leadership, interdisciplinary exploration, and a global mindset. With unparalleled resources, such as its House system fostering close-knit communities, a robust focus on undergraduate research, and connections to world-class institutions, Harvard is designed for students who think beyond their disciplines and seek to engage with the world at large. The university values bold thinkers and compassionate leaders who are collaborative, ambitious, and motivated to pursue their passions while uplifting others.

Harvard doesn’t look for students who merely follow a traditional path of achievement. It’s a place for those who ask hard questions, challenge norms, and bring a sense of purpose to everything they do. The admissions team is looking for students who can articulate not only what drives them but also how they plan to leverage Harvard’s unique ecosystem to amplify their impact.

What the essays are looking for

Harvard’s essays are an opportunity to showcase your individuality, intellectual vitality, and sense of purpose. They want to understand how your experiences, perspectives, and ambitions align with Harvard’s mission to “educate citizens and citizen-leaders for our society.”

Main Essay (Personal Statement):

Your Common App essay is critical for Harvard, as the admissions committee uses it to evaluate your values, character, and intellectual depth. The best essays:

• Tell a compelling personal story: Use specific moments or experiences to illustrate your growth, resilience, or a turning point in your life. Whether it’s a challenge you overcame or a passion you pursued, let your personality shine through.

• Showcase intellectual curiosity: Harvard loves students who are naturally inquisitive. Reflect on how you approach learning or how an experience sparked your love for a field or idea.

• Connect to Harvard’s values: Show how your goals align with Harvard’s focus on leadership, collaboration, and service.

Supplemental Essays:

Harvard’s short-answer prompts are deceptively simple but offer rich opportunities to reveal more about who you are. Here’s how to approach them:

• The “intellectual experience” prompt: Discuss a book, research project, or idea that captivated you. Be specific—mention why it inspired you and how it shaped your thinking. For example, instead of saying you loved a book, explain how it challenged your worldview or sparked a question you’re eager to explore at Harvard.

• The “personal qualities” prompt: Highlight traits like resilience, empathy, or creativity through an anecdote. For example, discuss a time you collaborated with a diverse group or led an initiative that reflects Harvard’s mission.

• Optional essay: If you choose to write this, make it count. Use it to explain an aspect of your identity, experiences, or aspirations not covered elsewhere. This is your chance to highlight something that sets you apart, such as a unique cultural background or a transformative experience.

Overall Essay Strategy:

1. Be introspective: Harvard values self-awareness. Reflect deeply on why your experiences matter to you and how they’ve shaped your goals.

2. Tie to Harvard’s offerings: Be specific about how Harvard’s resources, culture, or opportunities fit into your journey. Mention professors, research programs, or unique aspects of the community like the First-Year Outdoor Program or the Institute of Politics.

3. Emphasize leadership and impact: Highlight times when you’ve taken initiative, led a group, or contributed to a cause. Harvard seeks students who inspire others and drive change.

What you can do RIGHT NOW to stand out

1. Refine your narrative: Ensure your personal essay tells a clear, compelling story. Ask yourself: Does it show who you are and why Harvard is the perfect place for your growth?

2. Dive deep into Harvard’s offerings: Research professors, clubs, or initiatives that align with your interests. Mention these in your essays to show genuine interest and alignment.

3. Focus on leadership and service: Revise your essays to emphasize moments where you’ve taken initiative or made an impact.

4. Highlight intellectual vitality: Reflect on an academic or creative experience that showcases your love of learning and connect it to opportunities at Harvard.

5. Be authentic: Avoid clichés or trying to fit a mold. Harvard values individuality—let your essays reflect your unique personality and aspirations.

By demonstrating curiosity, leadership, and alignment with Harvard’s values, your application can stand out as a testament to why you belong in its community of changemakers.

INFO ZONE
ICYMI: Check out some info sessions we dropped yesterday!

Here’s some upcoming school virtual information sessions. These are great opportunities to learn more about school’s programs to determine if the school is a right fit for you. It’s also great to learn more about the school’s vibe and possibly what admissions officers are looking for. All the times listed are below are already converted into Pacific.

UCSB College of Engineering Session - Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 4:00 PM until 4:45 PM

UCLA Virtual Information Session - Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 4:00 PM until 4:45 PM

Discover UCSD Session - Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 3:00 PM until 3:45 PM

(NEW) UC Berkeley Admissions Presentation (FIRST-YEAR) - Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 3:00 PM until 4:00 PM

(NEW) McKelvey School of Engineering Virtual Information Session - Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM

ESSAY OF THE WEEK
Harvard’s ‘Disagreement’ Essay and how to approach it

Following our Daily Deep Dive into Harvard College, we figured it would be fun to make this week’s Essay of the Week one of Harvard’s more fun and engaging essays, their “disagreement essay.” Here’s the prompt, an example response, and our analysis of the example response.

Prompt: Describe a time when you strongly disagreed with someone about an idea or issue. How did you communicate or engage with this person? What did you learn from this experience? (150 words)

Our Thoughts

This student starts off with a scenario that’s fun and relatable—debating over music choices for a talent show. It pulls you in because, let’s face it, we’ve all been there: stuck in a group where everyone’s ideas clash. But here’s where the essay gets interesting—they don’t just leave us in the middle of an argument. Instead, they show how they used creativity and collaboration to turn the debate into something that worked for everyone. That’s a huge win because Harvard isn’t just looking for people who are good at standing up for themselves—they want students who can work well with others in diverse, high-pressure environments.

That said, this essay could’ve gone a step further. The disagreement itself—pop versus rock—feels a bit light. Sure, it’s relatable, but it’s not the kind of story that screams, this person is ready for a heated classroom debate about politics, ethics, or global challenges. It would’ve been even stronger if the writer showed how this lesson helped them tackle a bigger disagreement later on, maybe in a leadership role or when navigating a conflict tied to their values.

What this essay nails is the positive tone. The writer makes sure not to trash-talk their classmates or paint themselves as the only reasonable one in the room. That’s key because, as the advice points out, coming off as overly confrontational or self-righteous can make a disagreement essay fall flat. Instead, we see someone who listens, adapts, and finds a solution everyone can get behind.

The takeaway—learning about the power of compromise and creative problem-solving—is solid, but it could’ve been sharper. Instead of wrapping up with a general statement, they could’ve tied it to how they’ll approach future challenges at Harvard. Something like, “This experience taught me that finding the best solution often means blending different perspectives—something I’m eager to continue doing in Harvard’s diverse classrooms.”

Overall, this essay does a great job of being approachable and showing off the writer’s collaborative skills. But with a more substantive disagreement and a stronger connection to the bigger picture, it could go from good to great.

DAILY DEADLINE UPDATES
Take a break you deserve it! UC’s are almost here though!

In the Daily Deadlines section, we will keep you updated on upcoming deadlines in the college admissions world. Remember to not procrastinate and stay ahead of these deadlines!

UC Deadline: December 2
December SAT: December 7

THE ARCHIVE
Looking for past mailings?

You can view all our previous posts at our website at https://scholarscoops.beehiiv.com

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