How To Get Into Harvard?

Founded in 1636, Harvard stands as the oldest university in the United States and arguably the most prestigious. Situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard is renowned not only for its breathtaking campus but also for its exceptional learning environment, academic excellence, high reputation, and more!

In this article, we will discuss what does Harvard looks for. How can you make your application stand out and can mark your presence at Harvard Business School? Further, we will guide you through Harvard MBA Deadlines and their Acceptance Rate.

WHAT DOES HARVARD LOOK FOR?

While, for Harvard, there is no concept of a ‘Typical Harvard Student,’ they view all applicants as individuals with diverse goals, ideas, beliefs, and varying perspectives. Nevertheless, Harvard assesses its potential applicants based on the following parameters:

GROWTH AND POTENTIAL:

Do you have initiative?

 How have you used your time? 

Are you a self-starter? 

What motivates you? 

Where do you see yourself in 1, 5, or 25 years?

INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES:

What is the quality of your activities?

Do you appear to have a real commitment and leadership role?

What you have learned from your interests?

What excites you the most? 

PERSONAL CHARACTER:

Are you self-confident? How?

How open are you to new people and ideas?

What about your sense of humor, grace under pressure, concern for others?

What choices have you made for your future self?

CONTRIBUTION TO HARVARD’S COMMUNITY:

What diversity will you bring to Harvard’s community?

Will you be able to stand up to the pressures and freedoms of college life?

Will you benefit from your Harvard experience?

HOW TO GET INTO HARVARD AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT?

Showcase your academic excellence:

To distinguish yourself in the Harvard Business School’s MBA application, excelling in your GMAT/GRE test is crucial. While a high GMAT/GRE score doesn’t assure admission to Harvard, it does capture the attention of adcoms, showcasing you as a diligent individual with a stellar academic record. This, in turn, enhances your chances of acceptance to Harvard.

Average GMAT	Average GPA	Average Age	Average Work Expereince
730	3.7	27	4.7 Years

AMAZE THEM WITH YOUR ESSAYS:

As a renowned B-school, Harvard receives numerous applications with strong profiles. Therefore, leverage your essay as a platform to showcase your distinctive voice and strong character. Achieve this by crafting content that is uniquely yours.

Narrate a story that illustrates your persistence, work ethic, creativity, and even your mistakes, along with how you navigate through and overcome them.

WOW THEM WITH YOUR EXTRACURRICULARS:

Showcase excellence through your involvement in a club or activity of your interest. Instead of merely joining, highlight your leadership role, contributions, and the impact of your presence on the functioning of the club.

Prioritize quality over quantity. Harvard and other M7 institutions are not concerned with the number of activities you engage in. Instead, they seek to witness excellence and profound dedication in one or two fields that truly resonate with your passion.

GRAB THE VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY

 Volunteering in your community is always a smart way to show your generosity and good heart. It’s an effective way to make a positive impression and carve a place in the hearts of adcoms. Numerous volunteering opportunities exist in your local area, such as assisting children with reading and writing, cleaning an elderly or veteran’s home, or offering shelter to the homeless. The possibilities for community volunteering are abundant and can significantly enhance your application.

MAINTAIN A HIGH GPA:

Try to maintain a high GPA; this demonstrates to adcoms that you can handle the rigor of Harvard’s subjects. While a high GPA alone won’t guarantee admission to Harvard, it does keep you in contention for acceptance to the college.

FOCUS ON BRINGING DIVERSITY:

 The competition to secure a spot at Harvard is exceptionally fierce. To distinguish yourself and leave a lasting impression on adcoms, it’s crucial to convey through your application how your unique qualities and experiences will contribute to Harvard’s community. Clearly articulate the diversity you bring—be it in background, ideas, perspectives, intellect, etc.—and emphasize how your presence will enrich the school’s overall environment.

HARVARD ACCEPTANCE RATE: HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO GET INTO HARVARD?

Harvard, renowned as one of the most prestigious B-schools globally, upholds exceptionally rigorous admission standards encompassing academics, extracurriculars, and more. Competition to get into Harvard amazon students is fierce. 

Harvard’s latest 2020 acceptance report clearly showcases that Harvard is one of the most selective schools in the world, with an admission rate of 4.6%. i.e., out of 43,330 applicants last year, only 2,009 could make it to Harvard.

Harvard possesses several distinctive qualities that set it apart, including its high reputation, renowned faculty, and impressive employment reports. These standout features, as experienced by students, contribute to making a more informed decision about pursuing a Harvard MBA.

If you want to look into other M7, you can read this article which shares tips on how you can make a good application and stand out even if you belong to an over-represented group.