Be kinder if you want to get into Harvard, says new report
Focus more on ‘concern for others and the common good’
We all remember the days of trying to score a 2400 on the SATs and filling our schedules with all types of extracurriculars, but a new Harvard report could change the way we approach college admissions.
Making Caring Common, a project of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, made huge recommendations to overhaul the admissions process, namely to promote kindness instead of overachievement.
The report, which has already garnered support from over 80 colleges, recommends:
• Reducing emphasis on standardized testing
• Encouraging quality extracurriculars instead of quantity
• Including an essay that asks you about your contribution to family and others
Senior Lecturer Richard Weissbourd said: “Too often, today’s culture sends young people messages that emphasize personal success rather than concern for others and the common good.
“As a rite of passage, college admissions plays a powerful role in shaping student attitudes and behaviors.
“Admissions deans are stepping up collectively to underscore the importance of meaningful engagement in communities and greater equity for economically diverse students.”
Other top tips
• Avoid overloading on AP/IB courses
• Discourage “overcoaching”
• Reduce pressure on SAT and ACT tests
• Think about other top schools
• Assess your daily awareness and contribution to others
• Take on community service that “deepens your appreciate of diversity”