How to Write the Harvard University Supplemental Essays

With this prompt, Harvard admissions officers are seeking to understand how your personal journey has shaped your worldview and how that perspective will enrich the Harvard community. Start by thinking about the life experiences that have shaped you and your perspective. Consider the moments, challenges, or situations that have had a significant impact on your perspective, values, and character. Which have been the most formative for you? How do you wish to continue these experiences in college? These experiences can be personal, academic, cultural, or social. In addition, research Harvard’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Understand the specific aspects of diversity that Harvard values and the ways in which the university believes a diverse student body enriches the academic community. Think and write about how your unique qualities align with these values.

During Spanish Mass, I look down from the altar—gloved hands crossed over my red altar boy tunic—and watch the parishioners as they come up to receive Communion. I see Martín accept the Body of Christ. Later today, we’ll watch RuPaul’s Drag Race and plan this week’s Gay Straight Alliance meeting. We’ll print “Gay Chicanidad” posters, decorated in red, white, and green, the colors of the Mexican flag.

Harvard won’t restrict me to dichotomies; it’s a place I’ll freely study the intersection of faith and the LGBTQ community. I’ll discuss the Gospels through the lens of liberation and radical love. At Memorial Church, I’ll deliver a student sermon on how La Virgen de Guadalupe’s arrival on Mount Tepeyac symbolized a call to end the racism, misogyny, and homophobia of the Old World. I’ll pursue these historical interventions, create new spaces, and fully involve myself in the college’s open and diverse environment.

In college, you will meet people from all over the world, many of whom do not share your culture, values, world view, or opinions. In asking this question, Harvard wants to know that you are able to have charitable conversations with those you do not agree with, no matter how different their perspectives or beliefs. When answering this question, bear in mind that the topic of the disagreement is less important than your description of how the conversation occurred. That being said, stay away from topics that are inane or trivial (debating the best icecream flavor is fun, but not the best use of this space). You should also stay away from topics that are stereotypical (such as a commonplace argument within the political sphere) unless you can offer a nuanced take on them.

Use this space to demonstrate your maturity, curiosity and respect for others. Were you able to agree to disagree respectfully? Did you approach the conversation with curiosity? Were you able to learn or grow from the conversation? Focus less on the nature of the two opposing arguments and more on the ways in which you found the conversation to be fruitful or enlightening.

While there are a multitude of ways to answer this question, you could begin this essay with a snippet of dialogue or another anecdote that highlights the core of your disagreement. Then, offer context for your reader. Continue your discussion with a description of how the conversation ensued: did your conversation partner make a new point that helped you understand their point of view? Did you end up finding common ground, or did you agree to disagree, walking away with a new perspective or understanding? Be sure to conclude your essay with a reflective statement demonstrating a positive meditation on the occurrence. Remember, you’re aiming to demonstrate that you can work through conflict positively, and learn and grow from those whose beliefs do not resemble yours!

“I believe our faith should adapt to the world we live in,” I said, cautiously.

It was the first time I had spoken about religion at the family table. My grandparents were expressing their disapproval at the growing progressive faction in the Catholic Church, and the words bubbled over before I realized I had spoken.

“Our beliefs are not meant to change with the times,” my grandmother responded firmly. “They are eternal.”

In that moment, I realized that our differences weren’t just about religious expression; they were about our ways of viewing the world. I needed to approach this conversation with empathy and respect, not with the goal of changing their minds.

Ultimately, there was no dramatic resolution. My family didn’t adopt my views, nor did I abandon mine. We reached a mutual understanding that our faith, though expressed differently, was rooted in a shared desire for goodness and truth.

The scope of this prompt is intentionally broad, allowing students to share about a variety of different types of experiences outside of the classroom. As you choose an experience to write about, authenticity is key. Don’t write about an extracurricular simply because you think Harvard will find it impressive! You should choose to share a story that allows you to showcase qualities, values, and experiences that are important to you. Explain what the activity or responsibility entails and why it holds significance for you. While you should aim to provide enough context to help the Harvard admissions committee understand the scope of your involvement, remember to focus primarily on the values and characteristics you developed as a result of the experience.

Once a month, the Students for Social Action take a bus down to a local asylum center in Nogales, Arizona. Every year, 2 million people pass through the border—roughly 5% are asylum seekers, waiting for a hearing to process their claims. Our group provides vital English-to-Spanish translation services, helping them navigate immigration centers, process documents, and gather necessary materials for their applications.

Some are fleeing gang violence, others economic destitution. Their stories are as expansive as they are heartbreaking. Listening to their stories, I’m reminded of how arbitrary borderlines can be, defining people as “Mexican” or “American.” Mere meters across the border can lead to a dramatically different life. Our antiquated immigration system only makes the situation worse. This experience reinforces my dedication to fighting for justice and helping immigrants achieve a better future. Specifically, I hope to lead an effort resulting in critical immigration reform. It’s long overdue.

This prompt necessitates thorough consideration of your future aspirations and a clear connection to what Harvard offers—it is crucial to think beyond the prestige of the degree to consider the tangible ways in which Harvard’s offerings align with your future aspirations. Note that specificity is key—your response should point to both clear goals for your future, as well as specific ways in which Harvard will help you achieve them.

Start by reflecting on your long-term goals. Where do you see yourself in ten years? What profession do you hope to be in? How do you hope to make an impact on the world around you? Then, research the specific programs, courses, faculty, and resources that Harvard offers in your field of interest. Is there a class, a professor, or research opportunity that will help you develop as a person and a scholar? Show a clear alignment between your goals and Harvard’s offerings. Explain how Harvard’s faculty, research opportunities, global network, or other resources will play a crucial role in your journey.

By concentrating in Government, I’ll use my Harvard education to affect meaningful immigration reform in the United States. I aim to join the Immigration Studies Center at the John F. Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics, where I can develop data-driven solutions to address the immigration challenges.

I’ll complement this work by participating in the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, which hosted a symposium on Ronald Reagan’s Immigration Reform and Control Act last year. I’ll continue DRCLAS’ important investigative work, taking courses such as “Comparative Politics in Latin America.” I hope to have Professor Steven Levistky serve as my thesis advisor, and work under him as a research assistant. I’ll also join the Latin American Student Association to build community and foster greater discussion.

I am committed to pursuing a bipartisan approach to find a solution to this issue; Harvard will be a crucial stepping stone along my journey.

This prompt stands out because it gives you the chance to present yourself in a more personal and less formal way. It’s not about your academic achievements or extracurricular activities, but rather about your personality, quirks, and how you might contribute to the living environment at Harvard. This is a chance to show Harvard who you are outside of the classroom and how you interact with others on a daily basis.

To answer this prompt effectively, consider what makes you unique, what you value, and how you connect with others. Because the prompt is intended to reveal more of your personality, get creative with both the qualities you choose to highlight and how you choose to present them. Additionally, be sure to choose qualities that you would share with a friend or roommate, rather than an admissions officer. Are you the type of person who loves late-night conversations, or do you prefer quiet time to recharge after a busy day? Do you wake up early every morning to go for a run? Do you collect vintage posters that you’ll hang around your side of the room?

While these elements of your personality may seem trivial, you should use your creativity and originality to underline how they reveal deeper aspects of who you are. Perhaps your sleepwalking is consistent with your reputation for being the first to raise your hand in class or speak up about a cause you’re passionate about. Perhaps your living conditions are a metaphor for how your brain works—though it looks like a mess to everyone else, you have a place for everything and know exactly where to find it. Be playful and original in your response, while still being thoughtful and strategic about showcasing your character to the admissions committee.

Dear Amigx,

First question: Democrat or Republican? — just kidding, let’s have a meal first and then discuss politics. But you must know, I’m a political junkie. As an aspiring government concentrator, I’m eager to explore the future of immigration policy in the United States. Born and raised in Arizona, a border state, it’s a major issue for my community.

I enjoy deep conversations at night, where we can compare Sartre’s existentialism with Camus’ absurdism. Or discuss how Latin American magical realism influences our contemporary culture. We can also zone out to Friends (spoilers: Rachel should’ve definitely ended up with Joey).

I’m an aficionado for TexMex; it reminds me of home. We can try out different restaurants; I’m also excited to cook a dish my mother would always make: Chimichangas. A true delicacy!
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Although it can simply be a coincidence computed by an algorithm, or whether you believe in fate over chance, out of 8 billion humans on Earth, we got matched. We’re destined to become friends. I cannot wait to meet you.

Saludos,
Josh