What's going on with Harvard this year?
I'm a rising senior and feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the news and rumors about Harvard right now. Is it actually getting harder to get in, or is that just the usual panic in the forums every year?
I've been following all the admissions drama—Supreme Court stuff, changes in essays, maybe even something about legacy admissions? I'm just trying to figure out if Harvard is going to change how they review applicants like me. My school's college counselor isn't even sure what to tell us at this point.
If anyone has insight or is applying themselves, what does the application actually look like this year? Are there brand new essay prompts? Any special advice or things to watch out for that might not have been an issue before?
I've been following all the admissions drama—Supreme Court stuff, changes in essays, maybe even something about legacy admissions? I'm just trying to figure out if Harvard is going to change how they review applicants like me. My school's college counselor isn't even sure what to tell us at this point.
If anyone has insight or is applying themselves, what does the application actually look like this year? Are there brand new essay prompts? Any special advice or things to watch out for that might not have been an issue before?
4 months ago
•
45 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Harvard really is going through some significant shifts this year, so your confusion is understandable. Here’s what’s changed and what to keep in mind as a 2025-2026 applicant:
First, after the Supreme Court decision banning race-conscious admissions, Harvard and other selective schools had to quickly adapt. This doesn’t mean they can’t value diverse experiences or backgrounds, but the process for doing so is different now and may rely more on what applicants share in essays or activities. If you feel your background, culture, or perspective shapes how you’d contribute on campus, it’s all the more important to discuss that in a personal—and not generic—way in your essays.
There have also been major discussions about legacy admissions. Harvard has faced new scrutiny and lawsuits about whether to continue considering legacy status (children of alumni) and recruited athlete status. There's a real possibility that these advantages will be reduced or eliminated for the upcoming cycle, but as of now, legacy consideration isn’t officially gone. That said, the school has been moving toward more holistic and equitable reviews, so these edges may not matter as much anymore.
First, after the Supreme Court decision banning race-conscious admissions, Harvard and other selective schools had to quickly adapt. This doesn’t mean they can’t value diverse experiences or backgrounds, but the process for doing so is different now and may rely more on what applicants share in essays or activities. If you feel your background, culture, or perspective shapes how you’d contribute on campus, it’s all the more important to discuss that in a personal—and not generic—way in your essays.
There have also been major discussions about legacy admissions. Harvard has faced new scrutiny and lawsuits about whether to continue considering legacy status (children of alumni) and recruited athlete status. There's a real possibility that these advantages will be reduced or eliminated for the upcoming cycle, but as of now, legacy consideration isn’t officially gone. That said, the school has been moving toward more holistic and equitable reviews, so these edges may not matter as much anymore.
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years