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Why Study at Harvard?

You have probably heard of Harvard College, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, but do you know how to prepare for and apply to our undergraduate liberal arts programme?

Your first question may be "What does liberal arts mean?" Liberal arts is an American term for an academic programme that recognises the need for both broad education across the spectrum of the arts and sciences and depth of education in one specific field. You do not apply to a specific programme, but instead just “apply to Harvard” and then choose your particular field of interest, or “concentration” during the second year of the four year programme. If you decide to study for a first degree in Computer Science, for example, you would take 32 classes: 12-14 in computer science and mathematics, 7 in the broad Core Curriculum (possibly West African Cultures, Justice, Art of Film, Darwinian Revolution, American Protest Literature, Surrealism, and Economics), Expository Writing, and the remaining 10-12 classes would be “electives” - any classes which pique your interest.

What are some other benefits of the American college experience?

Student diversity

You can expect to find classmates from all across the United States and around the world, coming from every conceivable socioeconomic, geographic, religious, ethnic, and political background. The diversity of experience and belief and the resulting exchange of ideas add to the lively mix of campus life, both in the classroom and outside. You may have the chance to travel out West to Colorado for Thanksgiving break, to the Maine seashore in New England for the summer or to invite your roommate from Chicago home to the UK for a holiday. After graduation, you’ll have friends and contacts all over the globe.

Extracurriculars

Most colleges in the US encourage a balance between your academic and extracurricular lives. Schoolwork is primary, but your outside interests are equally important. You may want to write for our college newspaper (the Harvard Crimson), or play with the Bach Society Orchestra; get a taste of home with the Harvard College British Club; work with the Environmental Action Committee, join the Expressions Dance Company, the Kuumba Singers, or play sport at anything from beginner to collegiate level. Make friends, practise organisational skills, learn the fine arts of teamwork, diplomacy, and compromise - all while having fun!

Residential life

Harvard, like many US colleges, provides on-campus housing for all students for all four years, which means that 24/7 you are surrounded by the social and academic life of the school. Need help with that Chemistry problem set? Just ask the Chemistry genius who lives down the hall!

Timeline: Start your search for information early!

There is a degree of forward planning involved in order to assemble all the required information in time for the deadlines, so it is helpful to think about this process as early in your Upper School career as you can, preferably in Year 11 or even before. You will find useful information about US colleges in general at the College Board website: www.collegeboard.com or in their International Student Handbook. The Fulbright Commission also has a useful website (www.fulbright.co.uk) with a step by step outline of how to prepare for and apply to US colleges. For Harvard, you will find general information about programmes and student life at www.college.harvard.edu and specific admissions information at www.admissions.college.harvard.edu. The application deadline is January 1st for entry the following September.

SAT Tests

Both the SAT1 Reasoning Test and the SAT2 Subject Tests must be taken by the January test date. The tests are given six times each year at several locations throughout the UK. To familiarise yourself with the format before you take the tests, check out the practice SAT test questions on the College Board website (www.collegeboard.com). Test prep books can be ordered through Amazon or might be found at libraries or the UK Fulbright Centers. You cannot sit both SAT1 and SAT2 on the same date and you need to register on-line for the tests about six weeks ahead of the test date. Don’t worry too much about the SAT’s – we will look at your scores with your educational background in mind. We know that the British system has a different curriculum that does not always match well with the SAT Subjects on offer, and that UK students do not normally prepare as extensively for the SAT as do the US students.

Other Elements of the Application

Grades

There are no set grade cut-offs for admission, but for the most selective colleges in the US, such as Harvard, usually GCSEs would be mostly A or A*, and predicted A-levels would be AAB or better. For IB Diploma scores, we would expect to see a total grade of high 30s or above.

Essays

You will need to write a few short essays as part of the application. These essays are different in nature from the Personal Statement you submit to UCAS as they are less academic and more about you as a person. Try to find a topic that is important and specific to you. What was the last thing that made you angry or happy or sad? What will you miss most about your family or hometown or country when you leave for college? What are your hopes and dreams and fears about your future? Write a few possible drafts of essays, share them with a close friend, parent, or teacher, and ask that person if your voice and personality come through in the writing. If so, you have a good essay!

Recommendations

Two teachers plus your headmaster or careers advisor should write letters of recommendation on your behalf. Again, their recommendations are meant to be as much about you as a person as they are about your academic potential. Ask them to include as many details and anecdotes as possible to help bring you alive to the reader. They should explain why you stand out in class, what contributions you have made to the classroom or school or community, how you would take advantage of the resources at Harvard, and how you would get along with your future classmates and roommates. Admissions officers are trying to understand the person beyond the grades and scores, and teachers who know you well can usually paint a vivid picture of that person.

Interview

You will have the chance to meet informally with a graduate of Harvard, usually someone local to your area, some time after you have submitted your application. The dual purpose is to let you ask questions of someone familiar with our campus and community, and for us to learn more about you in your own words.

Costs and Financial Aid

It’s true that Harvard is more expensive than uni in the UK, but in many cases financial assistance will be sufficient to make the “net price” affordable. Harvard is fortunate to be able to admit all students, even international students, without regard to whether they need financial assistance. We have a generous financial aid programme which awards bursaries based entirely on need and not merit, and takes into account all costs (tuition, fees, room, board, books, and travel.) We want to be sure that the best students, no matter what their economic background, are able to enroll at Harvard. More details about our financial aid programme can be found at www.fao.fas.harvard.edu.  Here are some typical Harvard financial aid awards for UK students, with Family A having income of £25,000, Family B having income of £50,000 and Family C having income of £75,000. Other factors such as assets, family size and unusual expenses also have an impact on family contribution:

Admissions Decisions

Admissions decisions are sent out at the end of March and you must reply by May 1^st. While it is true that admission to Harvard is quite competitive - this past year we admitted about 2,000 of the almost 23,000 applicants - it is also true that we are genuinely seeking the best students from the UK and elsewhere, regardless of their background. In recent years we have admitted 25-35 students from the UK in each first year class.

Remember, you won’t be admitted if you don’t apply! Do your research, prepare for and take the SATs, put your best effort into telling us about your background, accomplishments, and potential, and then keep your fingers crossed for the answer. Good luck!