Harvard University

Essay Requirements

Overview

Academic Requirements

Essay Requirements

Costs & Scholarships

Successful Application

Essay Requirements

All first-year applicants will complete five Harvard-specific short answer questions.

Short Answer Questions

All questions have to be answered.

Slide 1 of 5

200 words
1.
Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a diverse student body. How will the life experiences that shape who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard?
200 words
2.
Briefly describe an intellectual experience that was important to you.
200 words
3.
Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are.
200 words
4.
How do you hope to use your Harvard education in the future?
200 words
5.
Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.

Helpful Resources

How To Answer The “Why This College” Essay Prompt

We’ll go over the best ways to approach the 'Why This College" essay and provide helpful tips to help you write an effective essay that impresses admission officers.

How To Format & Structure Your College Application Essay

Your essays are a chance for admissions officers to get to know you beyond your grades, test scores, and ECLs. But how do you craft essays that reflect who you are AND impress the admissions officers?

Everything You Need To Know About The Supplemental Essays

Supplemental essays are required by many highly selective institutions in addition to the personal essay included in your Common Application. You can learn all about what they are and why they’re important here.