Does anyone have advice on how to approach the Harvard College essay using tips from College Essay Guy?

As a Yale graduate and college admissions advisor with over 8 years of experience helping students craft successful Harvard essays, I can confirm that College Essay Guy’s strategies are popular for a reason—they help you dig deep, write authentically, and still impress admissions officers.

One of his most effective tools is the “values exercise,” where you list what matters most to you and reflect on why. For Harvard, think beyond generic traits like “leadership” and identify what you care about deeply. If you value curiosity, you might describe a moment when a big question led you somewhere unexpected—like emailing a professor after reading an intriguing article, which sparked ongoing conversations. Include vivid details: the initial question, what you discussed, and how it shaped your thinking.

Another helpful approach is the “montage structure,” which works well for Harvard’s open-ended prompt. Instead of a chronological story, you weave together short, connected vignettes that share a common theme. For example, if you love languages, you might include moments tutoring a friend, reading books in multiple tongues, and translating poetry—punctuating each scene with what it taught you or how it shifted your perspective.

Harvard isn’t looking for what you think sounds “Harvard-worthy.” They already know applicants have strong academics. Your advantage comes from your unique voice and specific stories. College Essay Guy emphasizes “show, not tell”—so instead of saying “I’m diligent and caring,” show yourself staying up late to handwrite thank-you notes after a fundraiser or finding creative ways to help your community.

In short: use the values exercise to clarify your core message, try a montage for variety, and focus on small, concrete moments that reveal who you are. An example could be a time you made an unexpected connection in a public library with someone from a different background—what you shared, what you learned, and how it deepened a value you hold.

Balancing authenticity with impressiveness means choosing moments that genuinely matter to you, not just ones that sound impressive. If you do that, your voice will shine—and that’s exactly what Harvard wants to hear.

Over the past 8 years, I’ve helped thousands of students craft essays and applications that stand out at the most selective schools. I’m currently offering free consultations for new Sundial families, where we can review your goals, brainstorm essay ideas, and outline a clear application strategy. You can book one directly through my profile—spots this month are limited.