54th issue
September 2020
In this issue:
- How to register for Virtual USA College Day, Saturday 26 September, 1.00pm – 7.00pm
- The most frequently asked questions at the Harvard stand about:
- the academic program
- differences between Harvard and UK universities
- what Harvard looks for in its applicants
- the application timeline
- application components
- financial aid
- housing
- life outside the classroom
Every year, Harvard participates in the US/UK Fulbright Commission’s USA College Day, the largest US university fair in Europe. Due to social distancing restrictions, the fair will be held as a virtual event this year. See below for the link to the registration page.
Date: Saturday 26 September
Time: 1.00pm – 7.00pm BST
Location: Online (details to be sent to attendees by email ahead of the event)
Cost: Attendance is free, but you must register in advance
Register for USA College Day 2020
How can I prepare for College Day?
Sign up for the Fulbright Commission’s free webinar on Tuesday 22 September, 5-6pm
Areas covered:
- Introduction to undergraduate study in the US
- How to navigate the virtual fair
- Top tips on taking advantage of the offerings at Virtual USA College Day
You may also wish to read through the answers to the most frequently asked questions at the Harvard stand over the last few years (see below). For each topic, you will find a link to one or more slides that illustrate the answer to the question.
Frequently asked questions at the Harvard stand
“Anyone who is thinking of the next four years as a series of stepping stones to a predetermined outcome – be it an award, a concentration, a job, a specific career, or anything else – is a person who will miss the point of this place.” Harvard President Larry Bacow, addressing the incoming Class of 2023 last year
Academic Program
Question: I’m interested in studying [name of subject] in the USA. What is Harvard like for the study of this subject?
Answer: (click to see slide illustrations)
- Harvard is a world class institution for studying most subjects across the arts and sciences.
- When you apply to Harvard College, you don’t apply for a particular subject, you just apply to get in, and for the first 18 months, you can study whatever you like except for a small core curriculum that takes up 25% of your time. For the other 75% you can choose from 3,700 different courses across the arts and sciences.
- The idea is that you get to try out lots of different things before making a final decision about what will be your main study area, or ‘concentration’.
- When you choose your concentration (which other US colleges often call a ‘major’) there are 49 areas to choose from. If you don’t like any of the 49 areas, there is also a 50th: you are allowed to make up your own!
Differences between Harvard and UK universities
Question: I understand the main difference between Harvard and UK universities is a broad liberal arts & sciences degree (Harvard) versus a specialist degree (UK). But what are the other differences?
Answer: (click to see slide illustrations)
Compared with UK universities, Harvard differs in the following ways:
- The broad curriculum means that it takes 4 years to complete your bachelor’s degree, rather than 3 years.
- Financial aid is available to all admitted students who need it, and the amount you receive is means tested against your family’s income.
- There is more contact time with teachers and a greater emphasis on classroom teaching and discussion than the UK.
- There is more emphasis on continuous assessment, rather than end of year exams.
- Extracurricular activity is strongly encouraged, and there is an expectation that you will become fully engaged in the life of the College.
- Housing is guaranteed on campus for all 4 years.
- Admission based on ‘whole person’ review, not just academic ability.
- Professional degrees such as medicine and law are studied at post-graduate level in the US, although you can prepare for going on to medical school or law school while still an undergraduate.
What Harvard looks for in its applicants
Question: What is Harvard looking for in prospective students?
Answer: (click to see slide illustration)
- Admissions decisions are made through a ‘whole person’ review – we look at everything about you, not only your exam grades.
- Your extracurricular activities and personal qualities are just as important to us as high academic achievement.
- Admission to Harvard is not a reward for what you have done in the past – it is our investment in what we believe you are capable of doing in the future.
Application timeline
Question: When is the best time to apply?
Answer: (click to see slide illustration)
- Applying to US universities is a marathon, not a sprint, but is perfectly manageable provided you plan in advance and start early.
- Refer to the slide above for the specific tasks you need to undertake in each school year.
Application components
Questions: How do I go about applying to Harvard? What application materials do I need to submit?
Answer: (click to see slide illustration)
- Although there are two different types of application form, UK students will almost certainly use the Common Application Form (or ‘Common App’ as it is usually known), as it is accepted by the largest number of US colleges. It is an online form that goes live each year on 1st August, and UK students should complete as much of it as possible during the summer holidays at the end of Year 12 (England and Wales), S5 (Scotland), or Year 13 (Northern Ireland).
- The Common App includes a Student Essay, which is the American equivalent of the UCAS Personal Statement. But the style of the Student Essay is very different from the type of essay an applicant would write for UCAS, as it is all about the student as a person, not about the subjects he or she might study. So applicants should always read through the sample essays on our website before starting to draft their own.
- If you are particularly talented in music, dance, art or writing, it is fine to include videos of your performances, art portfolios and publications as part of your application.
- Standardised tests: Due to the disruption caused by COVID-19, the SAT and ACT standardised tests are optional for Harvard this year. This applies to students submitting their applications between November 2020 – January 2021 for entry the following autumn (graduating class of 2025).
- In a normal year, applicants must take either the SAT or the ACT. We accept both tests equally, so applicants should try one of the online practice tests in both exams and go with whichever one gives them the better score. Both the SAT and the ACT have optional writing tests, and in a normal year, they are recommended for Harvard, but not compulsory.
- Again, the SAT Subject Tests are optional at Harvard this year. Normally, we recommend that you also take two SAT Subject Tests in addition to the main exam.
- Teachers who are asked by students to provide references should look at the sample teacher references provided on the Harvard UK Admissions website. The references need to be different in style and content to the type of reference you would write for a UK university.
- Because an applicant’s personal qualities are an important part of the admissions process, every UK applicant is given an interview with a volunteer who already holds a degree from Harvard. It is very informal and usually takes place in a cafe – in fact, it is more of a wide ranging two-way conversation than an interview. It lasts about an hour, and allows students to talk about their interests, ambitions and challenges, and to find out more about what life is like at Harvard.
Financial aid
Questions: How much does it cost to go to Harvard?
Answer: (click to see slide illustrations)
- Harvard has a generous financial aid program, and international students are treated in the same way as US citizens. All admitted students have access to financial aid if they need it, and the amount of money each student is offered is means-tested against family income.
- For family incomes of £50,000 per year or less, the student will almost certainly pay nothing. The university will pay for tuition fees, food, housing, and also provide a book allowance and travel allowance. Additional funds are available for studying abroad in the summer holidays.
- For family incomes of between £50,000 and £120,000, the family will be expected to pay between 0% and 10% of their income towards university costs, depending on their other assets.
- In addition to the above, students on full financial aid will receive a $2,000 cash grant as soon as they arrive on campus, to pay for the equipment they will need to start their degree.
- Financial aid is given in the form of grants, not loans, so students do not have to pay them back after they graduate.
Housing
Question: Where will I live if I go to Harvard?
Answer: (click to see slide illustrations)
- All students are guaranteed housing on campus for all four years. Harvard is very keen on creating a thriving campus community.
- First year students all live in dorms on Harvard Yard – right in the hub of the university.
- In years 2, 3 and 4, students move to one of 12 residential houses. Each house has its own library, dining hall, gym, and social activities, and all of them are within walking distance of Harvard Yard.
Life outside the classroom
Question: What is Harvard like for extracurricular activity?
Answer: (click to see slide illustration)
- Students are expected to become fully involved in the life of the university, and there is a vast range of activities, including over 450 university recognised student clubs, 42 premier league sports teams, 60 student productions a year in drama and dance, a daily student newspaper (Harvard Crimson) and 80+ community service groups.
We look forward to seeing you at virtual USA College Day on 26 September!
