Harvard supplementary materials (research papers)

[Potato42]

The Harvard website says “Scholarly articles, research, creative writing or other documents of which you are the primary author should be submitted in the Upload Materials section of the Applicant Status Portal.”

Does this mean that, unlike most other schools, I should submit my whole research paper? If I have multiple, should I submit more than one or is this excessive? Or should I simply submit abstracts?

[gibby]

https://www.businessinsider.com/7-things-college-admissions-officers-wish-every-applicant-knew-2018-2

“As an admissions evaluator at Brown, we . . . were expected to read 5 applications per hour, which equates to twelve minutes per application. In those twelve minutes, I reviewed the application, standardized test scores, the transcript, the personal statement, and multiple supplemental essays—all while taking notes and making a decision on the admissibility of the applicant.”—Erica Curtis, Former Admissions Evaluator, Brown University

Take a minute (or twelve) to think about this. Knowing that admissions officers don’t have a lot of time to read your materials, you should construct your own application accordingly.

Harvard Admissions Officers are likewise pressed for time. The more material you submit does NOT mean a reader will spend more time with your file. What they will do is skim. Do you want your essays and teacher recommendations skimmed as you sent in multiple research papers???

I would submit an abstract, not longer than one paragraph describing the research paper and how you materially participated in the project. If Harvard wants to read the full research paper they will email you and request a copy. Remember the adage in college admissions: The thicker the file the thicker the kid. You don’t want to be known as “the thick kid.” Less is more!