It doesn’t matter whether you are a math whiz or a dedicated volunteer; your application should tell the story of intellectual curiosity and resilience. This is what matters the most to Harvard admissions officers. 

However, getting into Harvard College from India is a high-stakes process. Despite having the right profile, some undergraduate students bungle their applications, ending up in the rejection pile. To help you navigate this precarious process of making it to Harvard, avoid these mistakes at all costs.

7 Don’ts of Applying to Harvard

If you are aiming for the Class of 2030 (applying in the 2025–2026 cycle), here is your definitive guide on what not to do in your Harvard application.

Applying to Harvard is less about “checking boxes” and more about demonstrating a unique intellectual and personal “spike.” With an acceptance rate typically hovering around 3-4%, the difference between a rejection and an acceptance often comes down to small, avoidable mistakes.

Read Also: How to Get into Cambridge University From India in 2026

1. Don’t Be ‘Jack of All Trades’

It’s a common misconception that Harvard is seeking students who are “well-rounded.” So students end up doing a lot of things to seem like all-rounders – playing three sports, volunteering at 10 different charities with no common factor, and joining multiple debate clubs.

Instead, focus on depth. Show that you spent four years mastering a single sport instead of showing how you dabbled in three. Harvard seeks students who have demonstrated mastery in one or two specific areas and are devoted to certain causes. 

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2. Don’t Write What You Think They Want to Hear

Admissions officers are experienced professionals who read thousands of essays every year. With this kind of experience comes an acumen for sensing who is sincere and who isn’t. If you write a generic essay about how travelling to Europe changed your perspective on art history, expect to end up in the rejection pile.

Avoid formal, overly academic or stiff tone, just because it is an educational institution. And do not use cliches that have no depth, like “wanting to change the world,” or “eradicating suffering.”

Instead, be sincere and honest about your aspirations. Write like you are talking to a mentor. Harvard’s supplemental prompts for 2025–2026—especially the one about intellectual disagreements—are designed to see how you think, not how “perfect” your opinions are.

3. Don’t Optimise for the ‘Easy A’

Harvard looks at your grades based on what your school offers. If your school offers 15 AP classes and you take only three to maintain a perfect GPA, it may suggest you are not prepared for Harvard’s academic challenges.

Avoiding tough classes like Calculus, Physics, or advanced languages just to keep your grades perfect is not a good idea.

Instead, take the most challenging courses your school offers. Harvard says Calculus is not required, but they do want to see you push yourself in core math and science classes.

4. Don’t Ignore Supplemental Essays

Harvard’s supplemental questions are equally important as the Common App Main Essay. For the 2025–26 cycle, Harvard uses several short-answer prompts (around 150 words each).

Avoid repeating information already found in your honours or activities list. Don’t write “Why Harvard” responses that could apply to any Ivy League school (e.g., “The prestige” or “The famous professors”).

Don’t recycle Common App content. Your Harvard supplements should include fresh insights without any repetition. 

5. Don’t Chase ‘VIP’ Recommenders

Students think that a famous, successful person is the right one to endorse them, even if they don’t know them personally. It’s a huge risk because these recommenders don’t know the student personally, and their LORs may sound lukewarm and insincere. 

Avoid choosing recommenders based on their titles. Pick someone who knows your academic history and can vouch for your candidature glowingly. 

Instead of a VIP, ask a teacher who knows how you progressively got better at math or how you used your ingenuity to solve a common classroom problem. 

6. Don’t Wing the Alumni Interview

The Harvard alumni interview provides context for your candidature, offering deeper insights into your passions and research. It is evaluative rather than transformative. In most cases, the student has already been considered for admission during this round. While it is not a make-or-break factor, a bad interview can definitely nick your chances of getting into Harvard. Showing up for one without preparation can put you in the spotlight, and not the good kind. 

Do not wing the alumni interview, give arrogant answers or appear insincere. Treat it with respect. 

Research into Harvard and be ready to discuss whatever you are reading in your area of interest. Treat it like a conversation between two intelligent and curious people. 

7. Don’t Ignore the ‘Roommate’ Prompt

Historically, the “Roommate Essay” was the signature prompt for Stanford. But starting in the 2023–2024 cycle and continuing into the 2025–2026 cycle, Harvard College added a specific short-answer prompt that is nearly identical: “Please list three things your future roommates would be happy to know about you. (150 words).” Many students don’t understand the intention of this prompt.  

Don’t use this space to talk about your candidature, your GPA or your work ethic. Instead, show your human side. Talk about your daily habits: whether you are a night owl or an early bird; whether you like your eggs scrambled or sunny side up; and whether you are a cat person or a dog person. This is essentially a likeability test. So treat it that way. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to stand out in Harvard applications?

To stand out in your Harvard applications, make sure you have deep, sustained excellence in one specific area instead of focusing on being “well-rounded.” Provide evidence of your excellence by highlighting your achievements, such as awards, published research or community leadership. Craft your essays in your authentic voice, showcase your challenges and how you overcame them, highlight your rigorous academic achievements and present strong yet sincere recommendations.

What looks good on a Harvard application?

Rigorous academics, excellent GPAs, top SAT and ACT scores, and deep involvement in 2-3 extracurricular activities look good on your Harvard application.

Is IIT harder than Harvard?

IIT and Harvard admissions can’t be compared. The IIT entrance exam (IIT JEE) is among the toughest in the world, requiring years of preparation in math, physics, chemistry, and other subjects. Harvard has a more holistic approach towards admissions, favouring extracurricular excellence, personal essays and letters of recommendation. Many students who crack the IIT JEE don’t get into Harvard; similarly, many who fail the JEE get into Harvard. 

How do I increase my chances of getting into Harvard College?

To get into Harvard College at an undergraduate level, aim for a SAT score of 1580+ as a baseline, but also build on 2-3 extracurriculars that you are passionate about and have devoted a lot of time to.

What is the lowest GPA Harvard will accept?

There is no minimum GPA that Harvard officially requires, but a base score of 3.7 is what is ideal. Majority of Harvard College admits have entered the institution with a GPA of 3.7 or higher.