Harvard University which is in Cambridge, Massachusetts is one of the oldest and the most prestigious college in the United States and perhaps in the world. Many famous people including CEO’s of big corporations, U.S Presidents, Academy Award winners are all alumni of Harvard and thus it holds a significant place in the hearts of people. The process of getting into Harvard is rigorous and is highly competitive. Students who apply for undergraduate programs should have a strong academic background in addition to exceptional extracurricular capabilities as well as top grades in high-school. If you have ambitions of getting into this reputed college, these are the things you should do to get selected from the large pool of applicants who will be competing against you for the limited seats.

Have perfect grades: Having a close to perfect GPA is among the main criteria for getting admitted to this college, but it is not the only one. The Harvard applicants are usually in the top 10% of their class, so you should have excellent grades.

• Take honors by opting for the most challenging course.
• Have excellent grades in high-school
• Do well in all academic subjects
• Get good SAT or Aptitude test scores. It shows that you work hard and have excellent academic foundations too.
• Show improvement in your grades or be consistently good.
• Do extremely well in your chosen extra-curricular activity; it need not be something related to academics. It can be any sport like football, athletics, etc. or performing arts like dancing, singing, etc.

Stand out of the crowd: To pique the interest of the admission committee show them that you have something interesting and special that makes you stand out of the crowd. It creates an impression that you are dedicated to what interests you even if it is a time-consuming task to indulge in extra-curricular activities.

Become a volunteer: It is not only a good way to show that you care about your community and that you are a generous person, but it is also one of the ways to highlight your personality and impress the admission committee. There are many ways through which you can contribute, it can be through school clubs or through charities run locally.

Write a great application: This is one of the most important things in your college application. It is a topic that will enlighten the admission counselor about your entire life. A single essay will decide the chances of admission and is a differentiator between all those applicants that get rejected or get the acceptance letter. Ensure that you spend enough time writing a good one. Some of the things to remember are to be original, concise and compelling. Remember to proofread, check for grammar and other mistakes and get feedback on whether the essay is effective.

Harvard wants to induct students who are not only successful in high-school but those who are hardworking and can rise up to the challenges. The applicant should have great curiosity, dedication to achieve the intended goals and have a history of achievements. They look for students who can continue to carry on the legacy and further strengthen the reputation of the institution. It is for students who can handle pressure, is looking out for challenges and has enough motivation to make a difference to the world we live in!