What Is Required to Get Into Harvard?

Application and Essay

• The first and most basic requirement to get into Harvard is completing the application forms and submitting a $75 fee. To apply online, download Harvard's application forms from their website (see Resources). The college application essay is also part of your application. The application essay is your chance to stand out from thousands of other applicants. Your essay should outline your ambition, interests and personality. HopelesstoHarvard.com suggests focusing on a compelling and entertaining life story.
  
  

High School Grades

• To be competitive, take the most rigorous secondary school curriculum available to you. On their website, Harvard suggests a four-year preparatory program including "four years of English, with extensive practice in writing; four years of math; four years of science: biology, chemistry, physics, and an advanced course in one of these subjects; three years of history, including American and European history; and four years of one foreign language." Whereas Harvard doesn't have rigid grade requirements, most students admitted to Harvard place in the top 10-15 percent of their graduating class.
  
  

SAT and ACT Scores

• All Harvard applicants must take the SAT or the ACT (with the writing component) to be considered for admission. All applicants are also required to submit scores for two SAT subject tests like chemistry, literature or world history. Harvard does not have minimum required scores, but the majority of admitted students' scores range from 600 to 800 on each section of the SAT Reasoning Test, as well as on the SAT Subject Tests.
  
  

The Interview

• The Admissions Committee won't disqualify you from entry without an interview, but an interview certainly puts you at an advantage over other applicants. Think of the interview as a friendly conversation with a Harvard alumnus. Be prepared to discuss anything and everything, depending on the interviewer. The Harvard interview is reputed to be more personal and less academic in nature than other college interviews. Harvard is interested in you as a person -- your character, personality and ambition. Bring a resume showing your accomplishments to guide the conversation. Talk about your favorite courses and extracurricular activities. An admissions interview is a good chance to demonstrate your passions. The interviewer will also likely ask, "Why Harvard?"
  
  

Recommendation Letters

• Harvard requires two evaluations/letters of recommendation from your teachers. Choose teachers you know well and vice versa. Harvard wants to know about your scholarly capabilities and personal character. A letter of recommendation also can be used to explain any weakness or lapse in your academic record in the event you suffered a family illness or financial hardship. Harvard wants to hear from people familiar with your life.
  
  

Extracurricular Activity

• Harvard accepts applicants based on the whole picture, not just grades. If you have special talents, extracurricular activities or academic achievements that stand out, include those in your application. If you were captain of the debate team, Harvard wants to know. Volunteer and work experience speak volumes about your character. If you spent a summer in Africa doing development work, include this in your application. Harvard likes to see that you contributed to the life of your school or community, demonstrating a well-rounded personality.