Harvard University

Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

for 2024-2025

Want to talk about your

Harvard University

essays?

Talk to a Prompt program specialist about what you’re thinking about writing.

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How do you apply to

Harvard University

?

You apply to
Harvard University
through their application portal through the Common App
or Apply Texas
or the UC App
or Questbridge
.
Apply Texas
Apply Texas
Apply Texas B
Apply Texas C
Common App
Common App
UC App
UC App
Questbridge
Questbridge

When are

Harvard University

applications due?

Early Action:
Early Action II:
Early Decision:
Early Decision II:
Restrictive Early Action:
November 1, 2024
Regular Decision:
January 1, 2025

How many essays are required to apply to

Harvard University

?

There's also
0
optional essay(s).
There are no optional essays.

Want to talk about your

Harvard University

essays?

Talk to a Prompt program specialist about what you’re thinking about writing.

Talk with us

Harvard University

Supplemental Essay Prompts

Extracurricular Activity

Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are.

Word count:
150 words
or less.
Requirement:
required

Diverse Student Body

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?

Word count:
150 words
or less.
Requirement:
required

Harvard: Why Us

How do you hope to use your Harvard education in the future?

Word count:
150 words
or less.
Requirement:
required

Roommate

Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.

Word count:
150 words
or less.
Requirement:
required

Conflict Resolution

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?

Word count:
150 words
or less.
Requirement:
required

Word count:
or less.
Requirement:

Word count:
or less.
Requirement:

Word count:
or less.
Requirement:

Tips for Writing Supplemental Essays

How to write the best supplemental essays.

Tip #1

Develop Your Personal Brand

Brainstorm all your experiences in high school that you believe will show that you will be successful in college and beyond. The strongest ones will be the foundation of your personal brand.

Tip #2

Highlight Your Strengths

Your essays should highlight one of the 5 traits: drive, intellectual curiosity, initiative, contribution, diversity of experiences

Tip #3

Add to Your Personal Score

Every essay counts to build the overall narrative. Increasing your personal score increases your chances by 10x.

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essay guidance?

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