United States · 2026–27
Harvard supplemental essays
Harvard asks for five separate short answers alongside the main application essay. Together they cover perspective, disagreement, lived responsibilities, future use of a Harvard education, and what a roommate should know.
Writing format
Five required short answers, up to 150 words each
What to prepare
- 1Show a concrete experience behind the perspective you would bring to campus.
- 2Describe a real disagreement and how you engaged with the other person.
- 3Choose one activity, job, trip, or family responsibility that shaped you; explain its effect rather than listing duties.
- 4Connect a plausible future use of your education to an interest you already pursue.
- 5Use the roommate answer to reveal everyday personality that the rest of the application misses.
How to approach the writing
- Give each response a different job. Five versions of the same achievement leave less room to learn about you.
- At 150 words, start with the event or idea. Save broad introductions for the longer personal essay.
Before you submit
Harvard's QuestBridge supplement has a different writing path. Confirm the questions in the application route you use.
Read Harvard College application tips ↗Read Harvard QuestBridge instructions ↗Official source checked 2026-09-25.
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