Harvard College and the Overlooking of Grades

[Opensecret]

<p>gibby wrote:

Aside from athletics, Harvard seeks students for their academic achievement, not their extracurricular activity.

</p>

<p>That’s misleading. Harvard does put a very high value on academic achievement, and being a recruited athlete puts you on a fast track to admission. But Harvard also values significant passion and achievement in extracurriculars of almost every sort. In the admissions office’s own words:

There is no formula for gaining admission to Harvard. Academic accomplishment in high school is important, but the Admissions Committee also considers many other criteria, such as community involvement, leadership and distinction in extracurricular activities, and work experience. The Admissions Committee does not use quotas of any kind. We rely on teachers, counselors, headmasters, and alumni/ae to share information with us about applicants’ strength of character, their ability to overcome adversity, and other personal qualities–all of which play a part in the Admissions Committee’s decisions.

</p>

<p>High academic achievement is essential. But, as admissions sorts through the thousands of academically superlative applicants, those other qualities make the difference.</p>