Introduction

Hey! I'm Khoi Nguyen, one of the co-founders of Kolly and a current Harvard student!

Venturing into the world of university applications can often feel like stepping into uncharted territory, filled with mysterious acronyms, daunting essays, and high-stakes interviews. When it comes to gaining admission to Harvard University, the challenge seems to grow exponentially. I'll shed light on the mysteries of this rigorous admission process and offer you insights that will help pave your path to this school. The practices used at Harvard are similar to those used at every top school in the nation.

Thus - remember this - what we learn here will be useful no matter which top school you're aiming for. The tips and strategies you'll find here are not just Harvard-specific. They're useful for anyone aiming to get into a top-tier university. So, whether you're dreaming of Harvard or another prestigious university, this blog should help you navigate your application journey.

Quick Numbers

The acceptance rate at Harvard is 3.4%. For every 100 applicants, only 3 are admitted.

The average SAT score at Harvard is a 1494. (Harvard Crimson)

The average ACT score at Harvard is a 34. (Harvard Crimson)

A Look Into Harvard's World-Class Standards

Harvard University, founded in 1636, is a beacon of academic excellence, celebrated globally for its distinguished faculty, robust research opportunities, and the dynamic, diverse community it fosters. Nestled in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard has been my home away from home, providing me an unparalleled platform to cultivate my intellectual curiosity, engage in groundbreaking research, and collaborate with an exceptional cohort of students and scholars from all corners of the world.

At the heart of the application process lies the admissions office, a team dedicated to sculpting each incoming class. They work tirelessly, sifting through thousands of applications to identify promising individuals who demonstrate not just exceptional academic prowess, but also unique personal qualities, leadership potential, and an unwavering commitment to their communities.

A balanced combination of these aspects forms the crux of Harvard's holistic approach to admissions. Rather than merely focusing on academic records, Harvard's process allows applicants to showcase their multi-dimensional identities, thus fostering a diverse, inclusive student body rich with varied perspectives and experiences. However, a recent lawsuit against Harvard University unveiled specific components of the evaluation process, indicating that the institution assesses applicants on four criteria: academic, extracurricular, athletic, and personal, each scored on a scale of 1 to 6. A score of 1 is exceptional and a 6 is poor, with variations in between. To best understand these elements, let's take a closer look at each of these domains.

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Academic Evaluation: Your Intellectual Pursuits

What is it?

The academic evaluation is a cornerstone of your college application. It measures your educational prowess by evaluating your grades, the complexity of your coursework, and standardized test scores. This is not a simple numbers game; colleges like Harvard are looking for intellectual passion and potential future contributions to academia and society. According to the Harvard lawsuit, here's how Harvard ranks academic ability.

1. An academic rating of 1 indicates summa cum laude potential, a genuine scholar, and near-perfect scores and grades (in most cases) combined with unusual creativity and possible evidence of original scholarship.

2. An academic rating of 2 indicates magna cum laude potential, superb grades, and mid- to high-700 SAT scores or a score above 33 on the ACT.

3. An academic rating of 3 indicates cum laude potential, excellent grades, and mid-600 to low-700 SAT scores or an ACT score of 29 to 32.

4. An academic 4 indicates adequate preparation, respectable grades, and low- to mid-600 SAT scores or an ACT score of 26 to 29.

How did I do?

I threw myself into my studies and took on a maximum academic courseload. I completed 14 AP classes and 18 Dual Enrollment courses at a nearby university, earning straight A's. I ended up exceeding the max GPA allowed in my county, finishing with a 5.086. I was somehow only rank 3 at my high school, but that didn't matter. Not only did this demonstrate my academic competency, but it also showcased my ability to handle challenging courses and my enthusiasm for learning.

While still finding my footing as a freshman, my first foray into standardized testing was the SAT, where I scored a respectable 1400. As someone who traditionally didn't excel in test environments, this score felt like a victory, but it wasn't good enough when considering the average SAT score of admitted students. During my sophomore year, I revisited the SAT and saw my score climb to 1490. At the time, test prep projected that I would have obtained at least a 1550 (and I had spent way too much time preparing), so this was underwhelming. On taking the ACT, I discovered a more fitting test and I got a 35. It was the only test score I submitted during my application process.

In addition to maintaining excellent grades, I actively pursued my interest in computer science by participating in regional science fairs for three years. I even secured the 4th at the International Science and Engineering Fair. I sought out research internships to further enhance my understanding of computer science. I had the opportunity to intern at George Mason University, where I gained invaluable research experience on web-scraping and knowledge discovery on big data. The combination of my heavy coursework, science fair achievements, and practical experience through internships demonstrated my intense intellectual curiosity and commitment.

I got a 2+.

What can you do?

1. Embrace Rigorous Coursework: Pursue the most challenging courses available to you, such as AP or DE classes. Colleges want to see that you've pushed your intellectual boundaries and have taken advantage of the opportunities available to you.

2. Follow Your Passion: If you have an academic subject you're passionate about, delve deeper. Participate in science fairs, math competitions, or any other academic contests related to your field of interest.

3. Seek Practical Experience: Try to secure internships or work on projects that are related to your academic interests. This shows initiative and demonstrates your dedication beyond the classroom.

4. Achieve High Grades and Scores: While your passion and extracurricular engagements are important, they should not come at the cost of your grades or standardized test scores. Strive to excel in your academic performance as it plays a significant role in your evaluation.

   
   

   
   

Extracurricular Evaluation: Your Impact Beyond the Classroom

What is it?

Here, the admissions committee seeks to understand your involvement and achievements outside the academic sphere. They are interested in your dedication to and leadership in activities, your influence within these contexts, and how these experiences have shaped you. According to the Harvard lawsuit, here's how Harvard ranks extracurricular ability.

1. An extracurricular rating of 1 indicates national-level, professional or other truly unusual achievement that suggests an applicant may be a major contributor at Harvard.

2. An extracurricular rating of 2 indicates strong contributions to an applicant’s high school in one or more areas, such as being class president or achieving recognition for extracurricular accomplishments on a local or regional level.

3. An extracurricular rating of 3 indicates solid participation but without special distinction.

4. An extracurricular rating of 4 indicates little or no participation.

How did I do?

Immersing myself fully in the "Free and Accessible Technology Initiative," a non-profit endeavor I launched, I raised $50k+ (as of now, that number sits at around $375k) in tech resources to battle the digital divide during the COVID pandemic. This project was both a personal mission and a passionate response to urgent societal needs, a convergence of my childhood experiences in a financially disadvantaged community and my deep-rooted fascination with computer technology. The result? Hundreds of families across the United States and beyond received refurbished technology, a testament to the far-reaching change possible when passion meets necessity.

Catching the eye of the Virginia Department of Education’s Secretary, our project spread its wings further, cementing my ability to cultivate powerful collaborations and expand our societal impact. This journey of triumphant advocacy and innovative problem-solving catapulted our initiative into the national limelight with appearances on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, The Today Show, and Vice News.

Broadcasting to millions was not only a chance to spread our mission further but also an unforgettable moment when my Harvard admissions officers spotted me on TV, witnessing my dedication and impact firsthand. This uniquely personal, large-scale initiative reflects my potential to contribute significantly to Harvard's diverse community and demonstrates the transformative projects I'm capable of spearheading on even grander stages.

Before doing all of this, I was president of multiple clubs and heavily involved in math team and robotics. I loved doing them, but I abandoned them all when I realized I was so much more engaged in working on my organization.

Harvard wants people who have a desire to change the world at large. There's always hard work and passion, but what will help you stand out is authentic and unusual achievement.

I got a 2.

What can you do?

1. Follow Your Passion and Take Initiative: Choose activities that genuinely interest you and fill gaps in your community or school, displaying dedication, leadership, and creativity.

2. Aim for Distinctive Achievements: Strive for notable accomplishments in your activities, including leadership roles, awards, or significant positive impacts on your community.

3. Maintain Consistency and Balance: Engage in your chosen activities over a significant period, showing commitment and growth, but balance these pursuits with academic performance and personal well-being.

4. Document Impact and Personal Connection: Keep a record of your achievements and demonstrate their significance. Reflect on why these activities were personally meaningful and how they contributed to your growth.

Athletic Evaluation: Your Physical Skills and Contributions

What is it?

The athletic evaluation focuses on your accomplishments in sports, your potential to contribute to Harvard's athletic teams, and the character traits like discipline, teamwork, and resilience that often come with athletic involvement. According to the Harvard lawsuit, here's how Harvard ranks athletic ability.

1. An athletic rating of 1 indicates that an applicant is a recruited athlete.

2. An athletic rating of 2 indicates strong high school contribution and possibly leadership roles in athletics.

3. An athletic rating of 3 indicates active participation.

4. An athletic rating of 4 indicates little or no participation in athletics.

How did I do?

I wasn't a star athlete. In fact, I wasn't any athlete in my application.

I got a 4.

What can you do?

Don't ask me.

Just kidding. With athletes, it's cookie-cutter what you need to do, but it isn't easy at all. If you want to guarantee getting in, get recruited. If you want a respectable evaluation, be one of the best at what you do (regional or state achievement) and be a team captain.

Personal Evaluation: Your Character and Personality

What is it?

This crucial component provides the committee with a sense of who you are as a person. Your personal qualities, the strength of your character, and your potential to enrich the Harvard community play a significant role. Here, your essays and recommendation letters can offer powerful insights. According to the Harvard lawsuit, here's how Harvard ranks personal attributes.

1. A personal rating of 1 meant “outstanding.”

2. A personal rating of 2 meant “very strong.”

3. A personal rating of 3 meant “generally positive.”

4. A personal rating of 4 meant “bland or somewhat negative or immature.”

Yeah it's not very descriptive.

How did I do?

In my college admissions essay, I chose to go into my experiences growing up in the vibrant ecosystem of my mom's restaurant. I wrote about how her indomitable spirit amidst adversity, and her unwavering desire to uplift those around her, served as my guiding light.

I described witnessing firsthand her resilience against countless challenges. This perspective helped me uncover my life's mission - to inspire others. Her unyielding spirit not only propelled me forward but also kindled within me an intense desire to empower those around me. This aspiration, deeply rooted in the strength and resilience I admired in my mother, has profoundly shaped my character.

Thus, within the confines of my essay, I portrayed my growth within the microcosm of my mom's restaurant. I presented myself as a reflection of her tenacity and inspirational spirit, and as a beacon of enduring strength with an undying aspiration to uplift others. I refrained from discussing anything related to my achievements in my essay.

My interview also went amazing. Honestly, it was hardly an interview. I briefly discussed the basic details about myself (demographics, stats, etc.) for the interviewer to reference, but we quickly began just talking about our passions and our views on the world. The entire conversation was an exchange of joy, passion, and ideas.

As far as my recommendation letters are concerned, I got them from two math teachers, against the advice of getting LORs from multiple disciplines. They wrote about me in superlatives. Further, I got a recommendation from the Secretary of Education regarding my work helping families in Virginia.

What can you do?

1. Narrate Personal Experiences: When crafting your application essays, focus on sharing personal experiences and reflections rather than solely your career goals or academic achievements. Admissions committees are interested in getting to know you as a unique individual. Share stories that highlight your character, resilience, and personal growth. Your goal is to illustrate your personal qualities and how they've shaped your world view.

2. Aim for Superlative LORs: Recommendation letters can significantly influence your application. To ensure a compelling letter of recommendation, it's crucial to build meaningful relationships with those who could potentially endorse you. Instead of settling for a merely "good" recommendation, strive for superlative ones.

   Start by identifying teachers, mentors, or advisors who know you well, understand your capabilities, and can provide a personalized and insightful perspective on your character and potential. Spend time nurturing these relationships, letting them witness your growth, dedication, and resilience firsthand. Involve them in your academic pursuits, personal projects, and extracurricular activities as much as possible. Their firsthand account of your journey will enable them to provide a rich, nuanced recommendation, setting you apart as one of the best, if not the best, candidates they have encountered.

   Remember, the best recommendations often come from those who have engaged with you deeply and can provide detailed examples of your strengths and achievements. Therefore, prioritize establishing and maintaining meaningful connections with potential recommenders, and encourage them to provide as much detail as possible when they articulate their impressions of you.

3. Ace the Interview: The interview is a pivotal component of the Harvard application process, against the common advice that the interview isn't all that important. A negative impression can significantly derail your application, while a positive impression can strongly bolster it. Treat the interview as a conversation rather than a strict question-answer session. This will help create a natural flow, making it easier for you to express yourself and for the interviewer to understand you. Engage the interviewer with thoughtful questions and insightful comments, showing your genuine interest in Harvard and your chosen field of study. And don't forget to smile; it naturally enhances your charm, making you appear more personable and confident. Remember, the goal is to leave a lasting, positive impression on your interviewer, affirming your suitability for Harvard.

   PS: If you don't get an interview, relax - it's not a big deal - for those who have the opportunity, take advantage of it.

I got a 2.

Conclusion

In retrospect, my journey of applying to Harvard has been a whirlwind of anticipation, hard work, and ultimate triumph. My application earned an overall 2 rating, and let me get into the school via the Restricted Early Action program.

Getting into Harvard, or any Ivy League school, is undoubtedly challenging. However, with careful planning, genuine passion, strategic preparation, and perseverance, it is within your grasp. I hope my personal account provides a helpful perspective for those of you looking to navigate the complexities of such a competitive admissions process.

To those who are currently working on their applications or planning to do so, I'd highly recommend checking out Kolly. With Kolly's AI commands, you can work on your admissions file in a more organized and efficient manner. It's a remarkable tool that can significantly aid your preparation journey, providing you with intelligent insights and support along the way.

In the end, remember that every application journey is unique, and it's all about telling your personal story convincingly and authentically. And remember, the college application process is just one chapter in your life's book; irrespective of the outcome, you're just at the beginning of an exciting journey.

Good luck to all the aspirants out there! And remember, there's a place for every passionate learner in the world of higher education. Don't let numbers deter you; instead, let them inspire you to give your very best.