Harvard University
The oldest institution of higher education in the United States, founded in 1636.
- Next deadline
- Not listedConfirm on the official admissions site
- Essays
- 5Prompts
- Supplement
- Required2025-2026 cycle
- Platform
- Common AppAccepted platform
- Selectivity
- 3.4%Most selective
- Enrollment
- 7,240Mid-size undergrad
Build your Harvard University application plan
Track the deadline, review every supplemental essay prompt, and shape each response around one clear admissions story.
Application deadlines
Supplemental essay prompts
- Supplement150 words2025-2026
Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a student body with a diversity of perspectives and experiences. How will the life experiences that shaped who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard?
- Supplement150 words2025-2026
Describe a time when you strongly disagreed with someone about an idea or issue. How did you communicate or engage with this person? What did you learn from this experience?
- Supplement150 words2025-2026
Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are.
- Supplement150 words2025-2026
How do you hope to use your Harvard education in the future?
- Short Answer150 words2025-2026
Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.
How to approach Harvard University's supplemental essays
Choose a role before you draft
Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.
Choose a role before you draft
Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.
Choose a role before you draft
Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.
Choose a role before you draft
Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.
Answer fast, then show texture
Start with the answer, then add one detail only you could write. Short answers get stronger when they sound observed instead of summarized.
Use this as a blank structure for a Harvard University supplement response, then replace every bracket with your own specifics.
- Open on [specific scene, object, problem, or conversation].
- Show what [choice/action/constraint] reveals about how you think.
- Connect that trait to [school program, community, lab, class, or value].
- End with the contribution you want to make at Harvard University, not a compliment.
Need more help with this application?
Use our guides to plan your supplement, sharpen your Why Us research, and review your draft before you submit.
Frequently asked questions
How many supplemental essays does Harvard University require?
Harvard University has 5 supplemental essays listed for the 2025-2026 application cycle, in addition to the shared application essay.
Does Harvard University accept the Common Application?
Yes — Harvard University accepts the Common Application.
What is Harvard University's acceptance rate?
Harvard University's most recently reported acceptance rate is 3.4%.
What is Harvard University's "Harvard has long recognized the importance…" prompt (#1, 150 words)?
Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a student body with a diversity of perspectives and experiences. How will the life experiences that shaped who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard?
What is Harvard University's "Describe a time when you strongly…" prompt (#2, 150 words)?
Describe a time when you strongly disagreed with someone about an idea or issue. How did you communicate or engage with this person? What did you learn from this experience?
What is Harvard University's "Briefly describe any of your extracurricular…" prompt (#3, 150 words)?
Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are.
What is Harvard University's "How do you hope to use…" prompt (#4, 150 words)?
How do you hope to use your Harvard education in the future?
What is Harvard University's "Top 3 things your roommates might…" prompt (#5, 150 words)?
Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.
Sources and verification
We prioritize Harvard University's official admissions pages for school-specific prompts and deadlines, then use application-platform and federal sources as cross-checks. This record was last verified on July 19, 2026 for the 2025-2026 cycle.
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