<p>I've seen a couple people get in every year without stellar numbers, so what gets them in? Can applicants get in with a special hook, and are there situations where the essay overrides SAT/GPA?</p>
<p>Something truly unique.</p>
<p>Is the uniqueness innate or a result of skilled essay writing? Blaaaaaahh</p>
<p>Athletic recruitment and candidates who triumph over severely disadvantaged backgrounds account for some of the accepted students with lower numbers. My sense is that the vast majority of applicant have the academic credentials however, so Admissions doesn't generally have to trade academic qualifications for candidates with impressive hooks.</p>
<p>They look for students like me. A student who has triumphed despite a tremendous load of obstacles. They look for people who give back, not just because they want to get into college, but because they truly care. :)</p>
<p>Harvard only wants applicants with great skills.</p>
<p>Potential for leadership.</p>
<p>There's no way to say what Harvard is looking for in an applicant. I would imagine that they want a well rounded CLASS, not necessary a well rounded student. Imagine if all the applicants were leaders, they would have a class filled with chiefs but no indians. Just do what you love to do and don't focus on what you think a certain college wants. This is the best way for you to be successful in college and beyond. There are many many wonderful schools and not every school is perfect for every student. don't get hung up in a name. God created you with unique talents and abilities and not every college can tap into those talents and abilities. Be who you are!</p>
<p>FWIW</p>
<p>As a parent of an undergrad, from what I can glean - Harvard's basic attitude towards its students appears
to be to try to provide the most "target rich" environment possible and say "go find something you like ... and excel at it" (whatever the "it" may be).</p>
<p>... and it seems they seek students who they believe will take such an invitation and run with it in all sorts of directions.</p>
<p>I think if I were given the opportunity to go to Harvard I'd do whatever they wanted me to do haha, so now to find a way to put that into a 500 word essay..</p>
<p>The Harvard admission officers say specifically that they look for "roommate qualities" as well as for strong academic preparation.</p>
<p>......ppl who get into Harvard are leaders. If you know ppl who got in you would agree.</p>
<p>Also I see that ur name is bay-area.. are you from north califronia?</p>
<p>It's hard to say, really. I mean, I took a huge gamble with my optional essay, and it paid off bigtime. From my experience, getting accepted is all about differentiating yourself from the applicant pool in some way, shape, or form. If you are too cut-and-dry or run-of-the-mill you won't get in. Being three-dimensional and unique really does matter; it's not just talk.</p>
<p>I was quite unique, but I didn't get in last year. I think what Harvard's looking for is an applicant who has a strong and clear vision in mind.</p>
<p>Just be who God made you to be and if Harvard accepts you then that's great and if not, then that's not where you were supposed to be. Have faith and all will work out for the best. BE YOURSELF</p>
<p>intellect. you have to be smart and have the grades - URM, legacy, athlete or whatever. ur not gonna get in if you can't do the work.
passion. do what you do and do it well. let them know about that passion too.
something different. after you've written your essays, go back and ask yourself "could anybody else have written this essay?". if the answer is yes, you won't get in. re-write. be individual and different. don't say what you think they want to hear.</p>
<p>Come across as a future selfmade millionaire. Someone who has a low gpa because at home they manage their own stocks and make decent money... That type of stuff. Or you can do it with superoverachiever stats + luck. Basically you have to be a god at one thing, or very good
in everything.</p>