Harvard Outreach Newsletter

117th Issue, May 2023

In this issue:

Reception for the Harvard Class of 2027

On 21st May the Harvard Club of the UK held a reception to welcome UK students admitted to the Harvard Class of 2027, who will begin their undergraduate studies in August. The reception was held in the President’s Room at the Queen’s (tennis) Club in West London, which provided a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere where the students could get to know their future classmates.

This year’s admits were soon chatting with each other excitedly and swapping stories and contact details. Friendships made at university always have a very special quality and it was heartening to observe the first social interactions between young people who will ultimately become lifelong friends. They will have no problem arranging their holidays for the next 30 years!

The parents who came along enjoyed chatting with each other just as much as their offspring, and appreciated the opportunity to compare notes with other parents who are supporting their children through their university years.

Achievements outside the classroom

Given that most applicants to Harvard are highly accomplished academically, what often tips the balance towards between being offered a place is what they have been doing outside the classroom. Some applicants are excellent musicians, actors or dancers, while others are playing sport at a national level. But there are a wide range of other pursuits that catch the attention of the Admissions Committee, as we found out when chatting to some of the admits at the reception.

Voluntary work:

I was on the Youth Board of the Mayor’s Fund for London [social mobility charity], giving input to the programme and moving it forward from the perspective of a young person.

Languages:

I won a competition on speaking Chinese.

Photography and writing:

My main interest is photography and writing about nature, wildlife and indigenous communities.

Teaching:

I taught robotics to under-served girls in Spain and across Europe.

Research:

I undertook research in philosophy and classics, and won a classics prize.

Website start-up:

I started up a comparative news website which compared media articles so that readers were exposed to different perspectives on topics.

A few minutes’ chat at the reception uncovered an impressive range of interests and talent in the Class of 2027. We wish them all well as they begin their Harvard journey.

Here are some photos taken at the event:

Admissions update for the 2023-26 application cycles (graduating classes of 2027-30)

For the Harvard College Classes of 2027-30, students will continue to be able to apply to Harvard without requiring SAT or ACT scores. Consistent with Harvard’s whole person application process, standardised tests will remain just one factor among many reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Accomplishments in and out of the classroom during the high school years – including extracurricular activities, community involvement, employment, and family responsibilities – will also be considered. Students who do not submit standardised test scores will not be disadvantaged in the application process. Applicants will be considered on the basis of what they have presented, and students will be encouraged to send whatever materials they believe would convey their accomplishments in secondary school and their promise for the future. Please read the Harvard College Application Requirements. before you start to put together your application. The main components are:

Application Form. The Common Application and the Coalition for College are both accepted, and are treated equally by the Admissions Committee. Harvard and many other colleges also require their own supplement to be completed in addition to the main application form.
School Reports and Teacher Recommendations – submitted with the application.
Student Essay – part of the application form.
Supplementary Materials – videos of music, dance or drama performances; art portfolios; examples of published writing – poetry, articles, short stories etc.
Standardised Test Scores (now optional at Harvard and many other colleges)
Informal alumni interview in the UK – these can be undertaken face to face or remotely by Zoom, WhatsApp or phone.

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