College Essay Tips + Writing your Best College Essay | Real Advice from Harvard Admissions

Got questions about writing your essay? Contact the Harvard Undergraduate Admissions Council ▼

Writing college admissions essays is an intimidating challenge for students of all background - including many who currently attend Harvard. What should you write about? How do you know when your essay is ready to submit? Andrea and her fellow student coordinators at the Harvard Undergraduate Admissions Council have all navigated these challenges and are now here to help you do the same.

Follow our socials -

#College #Essay #Tips

[sam_isnt_real]

wish me luck!! i just submitted my application today! :D

UPDATE: i got accepted and i'll be going to montclair this fall!! thank you for this video!!

[admissionsgames]

Helpful brainstorming technique is to think through the experiences you have in your day that are unique to you. I didn't get this until we all ready stories about what family dinner looked like in AP Lang -- completely different across the different students.

[raouf]

I'm gonna start writing my essay this summer !

[Ssssst]

I am international student and I am writing my essays to apply for Harvard and Cornell. Wish me luck!!

[fillahbanda]

All steps are important you can't skip any of them. Will use these next year when writing my essays

[yasamanraeisi]

I'm applying in two months wish me luck :)

[bryiannamorris]

they ask such simple questions i still feel like i have to put so much into it like omg

[Yankslife]

Good video! Starting to write my college essay. Going into senior year in high school!

[Iman-zbvc]

I have already applied to Harvard for REA, I definitely did exactly what she said.

[sahilkarki]

Thanks for real advice Harvard and Harvard community.

[hizkiapermata]

Im currently writing a college essay for Harvard. Hope to get admitted.

[bereketbitew]

I'm gonna struggle! Wish me luck guys!!

[alondrie]

The essays have to always being a type of storyline? THe question I am writing of is "TELL US ABOUT WHO YOU ARE. HOW WOULD YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND/OR MEMBERS OF YOUR COMMUNITY DESCRIBE YOU? IF POSSIBLE, PLEASE INCLUDE SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF AND WHY." And currently I am just adding the description of my self as bullet points, with very specific descriptions and feelings but I am not really sharing any story. So... I am really worried

[khefhod]

Happiness and pride then free associate

[thebosstex]

Question for anyone: I have a strength of writing pretty well. I’m no author though, nor in any profession I could use it for. I also feel like I could hone it more. What major in college should I go for that could potentially lead to a career that pays thrivable or even lucrative income?

[xabibakarimova]

I have a question. If all students have to write their own essays, how will you determine if that particular student wrote it? I mean, if the student's essay is written by another person. After all, the writing of that student himself is not checked, is it not?

[ymggkiy]

A question to anybody out there reading these comments. Obviously it would be unethical to have an AI tool write your essay. Would it be ethical to have one proofread your work? Thanks for your input.

[ioqxymd]

I am really concerned about how can i inform the university that i am the right student that will benefit them behind . is it by showing my personality and my leader service commitments

[emmaluo]

One of my classmates got into Harvard. I asked how she got in and it was no surprise to how much work she had put in. Not going to be rude, but I'm deadass going to describe her. She's always been that one kid with very minimal friends. Always talked to herself and walk in circles. You never know what's going on in her head. She'd always get straight As and participated in a lot of climate change protests. She would trade her entire summer to volunteer ever since grade 9 and joined almost every club in the school. Even clubs that were at the verge of extinction. Honestly I don't think she achieved anything super big like inventing something new to get into Harvard. All she did was prove that she's actively participating and connecting with the world.

[mssalejandro]

IM APPLYING IN 22 DAYS, WISH ME LOOK :)