Does Harvard require any supplemental essays for their application?
I'm looking into applying to Harvard, and I know some schools have additional essays apart from the main Common App essay. I've searched their website but couldn't completely figure it out. Do they have required supplemental essays or are any optional?
If you've applied recently, what was your experience with the Harvard supplement like? I'm just trying to plan ahead because my fall schedule is really packed, and I want to start brainstorming topics if needed. Any advice or details about how many prompts there are and what the questions are like would be super helpful.
If you've applied recently, what was your experience with the Harvard supplement like? I'm just trying to plan ahead because my fall schedule is really packed, and I want to start brainstorming topics if needed. Any advice or details about how many prompts there are and what the questions are like would be super helpful.
4 months ago
•
40 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Harvard does require supplemental essays as part of their application, in addition to the Common App personal statement. Harvard's supplements typically include several short-answer questions and one longer, optional essay.
For the short answers, you’re typically asked to respond to prompts about your intellectual experiences and extracurricular activities in just a few sentences each (often capped at 200 words). For example, one prompt recently asked applicants to "Briefly describe an intellectual experience that was important to you." Another asked you to talk about an extracurricular activity or work experience that was especially meaningful.
After the short answers, Harvard provides space for an optional longer essay, with a very open-ended prompt: “You may wish to include an additional essay if you think that the college application forms do not provide sufficient opportunity to convey important information about yourself or your accomplishments.” This is truly optional, and you are not penalized if you don’t submit it—but it’s a chance to share something unique that hasn’t been captured elsewhere.
If you have a packed schedule during the fall, it’s definitely wise to start brainstorming now. For the short answers, focus on specific moments or passions that you can briefly describe. For example, instead of listing your favorite class, you might share a story about a project you worked on in biology that sparked your interest in neuroscience. For the optional essay, students often use it to highlight an aspect of their identity, family background, or a passion project.
It’s helpful to review the Harvard application portal or the Common App directly when the next cycle opens, as prompts can occasionally change, but the format typically remains similar. Starting early gives you more time to reflect and revise, so you’ll be less rushed when your schedule gets busy.
For the short answers, you’re typically asked to respond to prompts about your intellectual experiences and extracurricular activities in just a few sentences each (often capped at 200 words). For example, one prompt recently asked applicants to "Briefly describe an intellectual experience that was important to you." Another asked you to talk about an extracurricular activity or work experience that was especially meaningful.
After the short answers, Harvard provides space for an optional longer essay, with a very open-ended prompt: “You may wish to include an additional essay if you think that the college application forms do not provide sufficient opportunity to convey important information about yourself or your accomplishments.” This is truly optional, and you are not penalized if you don’t submit it—but it’s a chance to share something unique that hasn’t been captured elsewhere.
If you have a packed schedule during the fall, it’s definitely wise to start brainstorming now. For the short answers, focus on specific moments or passions that you can briefly describe. For example, instead of listing your favorite class, you might share a story about a project you worked on in biology that sparked your interest in neuroscience. For the optional essay, students often use it to highlight an aspect of their identity, family background, or a passion project.
It’s helpful to review the Harvard application portal or the Common App directly when the next cycle opens, as prompts can occasionally change, but the format typically remains similar. Starting early gives you more time to reflect and revise, so you’ll be less rushed when your schedule gets busy.
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years