Spike/Hook or not?

Yes, yes, I know, the application is all about being myself, but from those who were admitted to Harvard, does having a spike/hook make you better or well rounded is the way to go?

Harvard wants a well-rounded class. In each class of ~1660, some will be well-rounded, others will have spikes. At this point, you can’t be something you’re not, so it is what it is. All you can do is put together the best application package you can.

@skieurope I understand that although, I can fashion my application both ways, to present myself well-roundedly and as a spike applicant. As someone applying using SCEA, is either preferred?

You should present yourself as you are. Which is likely how your recommenders will also write about you. It’s not like the AOs are reading the applications and then putting into the spike pile or the well-rounded pile. You’re over thinking this.

First of all, you’re hooked or you’re not. Too late to manufacture that.

They don’t look at the app and think “hmmm, this kid has a spike…this kid is well-rounded.” Neither is preferred. What’s preferred is genuine interest in what a student pursues. They also prefer applicants who deliver what they are looking for. They prefer essays that show and not just tell how a student will fit with what Harvard is looking for. They prefer a student who “gets it.”

In other words, there is no formula for getting in SCEA or RD. You’ll either be able to show them you are right for them, or you won’t.

@Lindagaf @skieurope I see… Thanks!

I think the worst thing you can do is to try to construct a narrative for yourself of a person you are not to try to game some advantage. More likely than not, to portray yourself with some kind of spike will ring hollow if you don’t have the accomplishments to back it up or what you thought of as a “spike” is really a “bump” when compared to applicants with real spikes and you had gone all in with that one attribute. Conversely, to portray yourself as “rounded” with a plethora of EC’s more likely makes you look shallow.

Maybe a good place to start is with your GC, if he/she knows you well, and the teachers that are writing your LoR’s. They should have an opinion of what makes you special/worth noting that are not colored by the rose colored tints that you and your parents may have. Sell yourself based on that.

Rather than thinking of being well-rounded or spikey, I prefer to think of “branding” which IMHO is the actual key to success in the college application process. Mind you, I’m NOT talking about making anything up, or stretching facts . . . but rather DELETING extraneous information that distracts from the overall presentation or messaging of your application.

Let’s say that during your freshman, sophomore and junior year you pursued 8-10 different extracurricular activities that you were genuinely interested in. However, nowhere in the application process does it mention you have to list everything you’ve done, or are attempting to do in your 4 years of high school. In fact, less is more. As such, if you can eliminate non-essential extracurricular activities (probably 3-5 of them) that will highlight what you are really good at, or are interested in pursuing during your college years – and it will elevate your application above the rest.

And . . . IMHO here’s the key — applicants need to think about presenting two (yes just two) contrasting interests — with maybe an additional two other minor interests. For example, if your major interest is theater, consider eliminating everything else – and that would create an aura of a "Brainy-theater kid” in your application. Ditto with a kid who loves sports and math — eliminating all other EC’s would highlight to an admissions staff that you are an athletic-math-minded kid. Admissions Directors, who are your biggest allies, are looking for “a selling point” to present you to the full Admissions Committee. And it’s the applicant’s job to present them with something they can easily sell – and that’s where most kids skid off the rails.

@gibby So just to check if what I’m understanding is what you’re saying. What you’re saying is that my application should be based on two themes which need to contrast. I’m applying to major in CS and have excellent ECs in that already, I just need to find a complementary background for CS and build my application around it?

On a side note, could you please PM me so I could discuss some of my EC questions if you have time? I can’t send PMs yet.

To be clear: The majority of high school students try to be all things to all people – and you can’t. IMHO, student’s need to stop using every space in the EC section as it just clutters your application and muddies who you are. While there isn’t a hard-and-fast rule, presenting yourself with two major contrasting EC’s (as opposed to 6-8 or even 12 smaller ones) focuses your application, gives an admissions officer a handle on who you and what you love to do, and elevates you from the crowds of students who are thinking the more I give them, the more they will like me.

Don’'t take the suggestion to focus on two contrasting interests too literally.

Honestly, you mentioned this somewhat sarcastically in your original post, but yes, just be yourself. Just do an application that reflects who you are, what your interests and goals are, in a natural way.

You do not need to strategize to this account.

If you have an intense area of interest, it probably isn’t a hook.

Just remember Harvard is assembling an interesting mix for the class. It really isn’t about the individual. They will need some people with narrow talents and some people with multiple interests.

No need to try to manipulate the process at all. So yes, “be yourself.”