<p>I just finished my roughly 15,000 character optional essay for Harvard, along with the rest of my application on the Common App web page. </p>
<p>I will undoubtedly be picked for an interview - what is it Harvard wants to see in an applicant? I understand high test scores and good grades are a given, so obviously I've got to figure out a way to make myself shine under their attention.</p>
<p>In the interest of privacy, I do not feel comfortable publicly releasing my resume and essay, however I do believe I'm in the running. Aside from all of the spectacular things on my resume, there are several things of which are quite impressive, a few things that very few incoming freshmen have done, and a couple very impressive things I know no incoming frosh have done.</p>
<p>I am neither a current Harvard student nor a Harvard alumnus, but I know this statement is not true. An interview (or a lack thereof) means zilch in terms of your chances of admission. In fact, Harvard offers interviews to candidates based on availability, not on the qualifications of the applicants. See this link: </p>
<p>This wasn’t part of the question, but 15,000 characters??? Isn’t that like 2,500 words? I don’t know if admissions officers would like an essay that long…</p>
<p>Yes, about 2,500 words. The essay prompt said a minimum of 250 words, and that I could effectively write about whatever I want. I know I’m paying these people $75 to read it, so I made a point of it being as capturing and interesting as possible, like a novel.</p>
<p>Let me be a little more clear. Most adcoms stress the importance of being short and concise in your essays. I know Harvard doesn’t say anything about this, but consider that they probably receive 30,000 applications per year, so a long essay may actually be a hindrance than a help to your application.</p>
<p>If you have the time, I would strongly recommend that you cut down the essay significantly.</p>
<p>No offense, but I don’t think adcoms will care how awesome the essay is; if they see it’s four pages, they will probably already be looking forward to being done with it.</p>
<p>I know when I get a reading packet the first thing I do is check the length. If it seems long, the packet is already on my bad side, no matter how well it’s written. I’d imagine this would evoke similar emotions.</p>
<p>We are only trying to help.
If you are an admissions officer reading thousands of essays a day, chances are you would not want to read a “novel”. Unless you wrote something extremely engaging and life-altering so much so that the admissions officer will not be able to put down your essay until he’s spent the full 20 minutes reading it, then you’re probably better off not submitting a four-page essay.
Consider trying to rephrase/cut some parts, there will undoubtedly be room for improvement and concision.</p>
<p>The essay prompt was very free, and there was no cap on word or character limit, only a minimum. So by these standards, it is fair and appropriate. ACTs in the 30s, high GPAs and lots of in school activities are a given - under their light I will have to stand out, and a good writing piece definitely helps. Even the most bearish teacher assistant would be blown away by a longer essay that captured their attention up front, inviting them to read to the last paragraph. After all, they are being paid $75 to review and discuss my application. That’s two hours of work for one well paying job. My application is submitted, and I would not cut down on what I wrote anyways. I pushed my writing as hard as I could, and I believe it’s among the best I’ve done. But I do sincerely appreciate the post. --also, they receive between 10,000-11,000 applications, and accept about 1,600 (roughly 7%). So my application (besides the typical high test scores and clubs) has to be better than one out of ten they see.
*edit: also, the read time is about six minutes (I did a run through). ~2,500 words including footnotes.</p>
<p>Also, consider that you are competing against the best of the best. I have no reason to doubt that your writing is stellar, but so are the majority of other applicants, and most of them will have short, concise essays that probably tell stories as remarkable as yours in a lot less space.</p>
<p>With that said, it is your essay, and you’re right when you say that Harvard has an extremely unrestrictive prompt. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>1) You are paying the school $75, not the adcoms. And the $75 is a one-time fee, so even if the money did go to the adcoms directly it would have to be distributed among them so it wouldn’t be a full $75 each.</p>
<p>2) There are 30,000+ applicants a year, as Tulowitzki says. (As I see now you noticed.)</p>
<p>3) You are being rather cocky and pretentious right now, which is a real turn-off. If you honestly want a chance at Harvard, I would recommend being the exact opposite of how you are now in your “for-certain” interview.</p>
<p>Sorry for my for-certain interview statement, I have an interview locked in and scheduled, that was the directed meaning toward that. Depending on who’s available around here to give interviews, they may or may not have openings.</p>
<p>Anyways, the application fee covers/helps cover the admissions officers and board review my app. The money goes to the school (obviously) but that’s what it’s there for. Not a volunteer job!</p>
<p>**Any Harvard grads, much appreciated if you comment! :D</p>
<p>You should knock the socks off your interviewer by being brutally honest. They get tons of applicants who claim to be passionate and care. You should mention your stunningly incredible grades, test scores, writing ability and flawless character, including humility, to impress the interviewer.</p>
<p>Spend the hour detailing your myriad accomplishments and I guarantee that no one will be surprised by your admissions result.</p>
<p>I already had my interview, so here are a few tips: </p>
<ol>
<li>Be sure to relate the stunning beauty and passionate grandeur of your essay. </li>
<li>Be sure to remember only around 10,000 applicants, and inform them of this.<br></li>
<li>Please inform them of your extreme humility, unsurpassed even by Mother Theresa. Really lay it on thick. They want to bask in your glow. </li>
</ol>
<p>I absolutely cannot wait to see a young person as possessed with such talent, passion, and above all, confidence, as you yourself so evidently are be accepted to the university that cannot but bow before you.</p>
<p>EDIT: I see Mentos already performed my role.</p>
</p>