What kinds of questions are usually asked in a Harvard admissions interview?

Harvard interviews are usually fairly open-ended and conversational, but most fall into a few predictable categories.

You should expect questions about you, your interests, and how you spend your time. Common ones include tell me about yourself, what are your academic interests, what do you do outside class, what activity matters most to you, and what have you been reading, researching, or thinking about lately.

They often ask why Harvard, but usually in a more natural way than a strict prompt. That might sound like what draws you to Harvard, what you hope to study there, or what kind of college environment you want.

Interviewers also tend to ask about your high school experience and how you think. You might get questions like what class has challenged you most, what issue do you care about, what accomplishment are you proud of, what would your friends or teachers say about you, or how have your interests changed over time.

Some interviewers ask behavioral or reflective questions. For example, tell me about a setback, a time you changed your mind, a meaningful conversation, or something you wish more people understood about you.

You may also get broader conversation starters, especially if the interviewer wants to see how you engage intellectually. These can include current events, a book you liked, or a project you pursued on your own.

At the end, they almost always ask if you have questions for them.