What personal qualities does Harvard look for?
Asked by: Kaycee Volkman Sr. | Last update: August 7, 2025Score: 5/5 (26 votes)
Harvard values well-rounded individuals who have actively engaged in extracurricular activities, demonstrating leadership, initiative, and a commitment to their communities. The university looks for candidates who have made a positive impact in areas that align with their interests and passions.
What type of person is Harvard looking for?
There is no formula for gaining admission to Harvard. Academic accomplishment in high school is important, but the Admissions Committee also considers many other criteria, such as community involvement, leadership and distinction in extracurricular activities, and personal qualities and character.
What is Harvard's ideal student?
Sustained Excellence: In the competitive world of Harvard admissions, a top-notch GPA is crucial. But remember, it's not just about high grades, it's also about showcasing your academic consistency, without faltering over time. Embrace Rigorous Courses: Harvard appreciates students who challenge themselves.
What increases your chances of getting into Harvard?
To have the best shot of getting in, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1580 SAT or a 36 ACT. You should also have a 4.2 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score.
What is the lowest GPA Harvard will accept?
While there are always exceptions, students accepted into Harvard usually have a GPA of 3.9 or above (on a 4.0 scale), and often even closer to a perfect 4.0.
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Is a 4.7 GPA good for Harvard?
GPA requirements for Harvard
At Harvard, the standard GPA is 4.18. (While some schools publish an unweighted GPA, most utilize a weighted GPA out of 4.0.) Harvard needs you to be at the top of your class with a GPA of 4.18.
What is the hardest college to get into?
Harvard University
The Harvard acceptance rate is 3%, tied with Caltech for the #1 spot on our list of hardest colleges to get into. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard is a quintessential New England school globally recognized for its rigorous academic programs and influential alumni.
Does Harvard take AP credit?
Harvard College. Credit toward graduation is granted for Advanced Placement examinations only if the student activates Advanced Standing, but advanced placement work is acknowledged in a variety of other ways.
What kind of extracurriculars does Harvard look for?
Extracurricular activities can consist of community service, athletics, music, theater, or any other passions and commitments that students pursue outside of school. High school students who get into Harvard tend to have leadership positions when applicable.
What is the Z list at Harvard?
About 60 students earn admission to Harvard through the Z-List each year. Unlike typical admits, these students do not gain admission in the Early Action or Regular Decision rounds or earn a spot off the Harvard waitlist. Z-Listed students are neither accepted nor denied at the conclusion of both admission rounds.
What values does Harvard look for?
PERSONAL QUALITIES AND CHARACTER
The university places great emphasis on an applicant's personal qualities and character. Admissions officers are interested in individuals who possess strong moral character, resilience, integrity, and the ability to overcome challenges.
Does Harvard like athletes?
Harvard Admissions Officers Value Recruited Athletes
Unless a student-athlete is being recruited by a college athletic coach at the school to which they're applying, their participation in that sport will not serve their candidacy.
What classes does Harvard look for?
- Four years of English with a strong writing component.
- Four years of mathematics.
- Four years of science, including biology, chemistry, physics, and an advanced course.
- Three years of history, including European and U.S. history.
What is the lowest ACT score for Harvard?
While Harvard doesn't have a specific minimum ACT score for admission, the middle 50% of accepted students typically have scores between 33 and 35. This means that 25% of admitted students may have scores below this range, and 25% above this range.
What does Harvard actually look for?
Article. There is no formula for gaining admission to Harvard. Academic accomplishment in high school is important, but the Admissions Committee also considers many other criteria, such as community involvement, leadership and distinction in extracurricular activities, and personal qualities and character.
What extracurriculars do Ivy Leagues want?
An Ivy League extracurricular activity can be anything that adds to your application narrative and demonstrates leadership qualities. There is no set extracurricular activity that is exactly what Ivy League schools are looking for--they want to get to know you as an applicant!
What are Harvard pre-professional groups?
Academic & Pre-Professional
These extracurriculars serve as useful opportunities for students to get to know their peers in the same field of study. The “Pre-Professional” organizations' main goal is to provide students with practical, real-world skills that will translate effectively to their future careers.
Should I submit a 3 AP score to Harvard?
In short, all scores of 5 on AP exams should be reported to elite colleges. However, for scores of 4 or 3, submitting the scores is dependent on the student's coursework and other AP results. Scores of 2 or 1 should never be shared.
Is 9 APs enough for the Ivy League?
If you're looking for a specific number of APs that you should take, it will depend on your school's offerings, but a safe number for admission at Ivy League schools is usually between 7 and 12 AP classes throughout high school.
Does Harvard require SAT?
Harvard requires the SAT or ACT to meet its standardized testing requirement. In exceptional cases, when those are not accessible for a student, one of the following can meet the requirement: AP exam results. IB Actual or Predicted Scores.
Is Yale or Harvard harder to get into?
Yale has a slightly higher acceptance rate at 6.5%, compared to Harvard's 5.3%. Which university has a larger campus and student body? Harvard has a larger campus and student body.
What is the #1 university in the world?
Harvard University
United States|Cambridge (U.S.)
Can I get into brown with a 3.7 GPA?
While the suggested GPA range is between 3.9 and 4.0, students with slightly lower GPAs can still impress the admissions committee with other strengths like strong SAT/ACT scores, a compelling personal essay, or outstanding extracurricular involvement.