I was wondering if Harvard or the other top schools tended to dislike people who were more quiet and more introverted. I’m a very quiet person and consider myself to be an introvert, but I’m still involved in clubs and school activities. I don’t know how much being quiet will affect me in interviews ect.
I wouldn’t worry about it. I don’t think that some students being introverts has anything to do with what has really caused the issues at Harvard or at other top US schools.
The Ivy League schools and equivalent are reaches for pretty nearly all students. Assuming that you are not the child of a popular non-controversial president or prime minister, you will want to apply to a range of schools including at least two safety schools. You also should pay attention to your budget in picking schools to apply to.
However, you should know that there are a lot of very smart and very studious introverts at pretty much any good university. Many of them are socially much happier once they get to university because they find that there are a lot more students who are like them.
They don’t care if you consider yourself introverted. They do care how you activate. Depth and breadth, stretch, how you see and go for opportunities (and needs) around you, that you commit. And your interpersonal attributes. Do read up on what your targets looks for, what they say and show. This is the big thing you can do now, so you understand how to prepare, what to show.
I would argue many students at Harvard are actual introverts.
I would say, however, Harvard tends to value having facility with social interactions. Agree with all the things @lookingforward mentioned, too.