<p>What if I don't have one? Can the answer be philosophical or should it be just straightforward?</p>
<p>Most of the people whose advice you really want are the ones who’ve already applied successfully, not the ones who are applying with you. I don’t recall any question like that from when I applied, so it would be helpful if you could tell us what exactly it says/how many words it asks for, if it has a limit.</p>
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<p>This question really baffles me. :)</p>
<p>Oh good heavens. Is this a mandatory question? My first impulse would be to talk about personal growth, or skip it. (If it’s in the CommonApp, not the H supplement, it’s probably more intended for people who want their college major to be at least semi-vocational.)</p>
<p>It is in the supplement and specifically directed to international applicants</p>
<p>Well it also seems like an opportunity to talk about how you might go home and use what you’ve learned for the greater good of your country. It could be related to the specific major or you could emphasize what you would learn from your other peers at Harvard and from the United States in general. There’s no one right approach to questions like these. Be honest and hope for the best. </p>
<p>FWIW I attended Harvard eons ago and never had to answer a question like this. :)</p>