How can I get into Harvard?

Harvard: “I want to get in so bad!”

It’s application season. You’re a high school student looking to go to your dream college. Your stats? Straight A’s. 10 clubs. Leadership. Guess what? You still might not be good enough for Harvard.

Why?

It’s answer every students wants to know.

What are they looking for?

Harvard prefers diversity. Nowadays, any institution or corporation has an obligation to uphold a diverse work space. If they don’t, it reflects poorly on them.

Contributors. The alumni mothers and fathers of prospective students.

Say you don’t have straight A’s. You’ve gotten a few B’s along the way. But… you killed the ACT. You don’t have as many clubs and resume checkboxes as the previous student, but you’re an athlete, a musician, a something.

And you’re incredible at what you do.

But here is the thing: almost everyone who gets accepted to Harvard is incredible at multiple things. 

So in this age of statistics and checkboxes, what is the only source that is subjective, the only thing that goes outside of an excel sheet?

Your admission essay. And it can answer something no other part of your application can.

Who are you?

Committees want to get a feel for your personality, how you think, how you grew up, what intrigues you.

How do you view the world? What do you hope to contribute to it?

Those are the fundamental questions that we should be able to answer by the time we’re done reading your essay.

So what are some personal statement/admission essay tips?

– The committees can catch it if you’re faking it. If you can’t come up with a personal statement with a great theme and storyline, then seek out someone who can help you.
– Your essay is one of the only things that can make your application, as most other things are objective.
– I’ll tell you the same thing you’ve been hearing since 3rd grade. Don’t tell, show. Be visual with your writing. Attack the page.
– Do several drafts before submitting.
– The best stories are intellectual and emotional.
– Don’t state any qualifications or make declarations about yourself. I.e. I’m a quick learner, hardworking, etc.
– Read great personal statements/admissions essays.
– Ensure that the narrative experiences/journeys in the essay are linked to what the student wants to study.

Reach out to PrimeStatement if you need an honest critique of your work.