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The highest-rated universities often have the most selective college admissions processes in the education industry. Over the years, the top US schools have trended towards holistic admissions processes—considering every aspect of a student's application when applying for college. Test scores, GPA, application profile, community involvement, and extracurricular activities are among the prominent aspects that college admissions officers at the top schools look into when evaluating a candidate. Extracurricular activities are an especially vital aspect of understanding a student's character and personality.  

For those looking to apply to Harvard University, Harvard admissions officers use a special scoring system to evaluate candidates' strengths in extracurricular activities. 

Harvard University's Extracurricular Admissions Guidelines 

Harvard's guidelines for rating students' extracurricular activities are simple yet comprehensive.  

Applicants are evaluated on a rating of 1 to 6, with six being the lowest and one being the highest. This range encompasses a wide variety of situations, but Harvard admissions officers always consider the context of these scores when evaluating applicants.  

The lowest-scoring students are those with special circumstances that limit their participation in extracurricular activities, such as a physical disability. This is similar for applicants who rate as a "five"—having little extracurricular involvement but special commitments such as family or work.  

Students who rate at the middle of the range are those who have little to no participation or have participated in activities but without any special distinction. These students read to admissions officers as "bland." They do not stand out among their peers and have little to distinguish them from other applicants or even others within their chosen activities. In some cases, students can have their rating modified, such as +2 or -3, if something about their involvement is particularly substantial. Students who have extensive involvement in a club for several years, are involved in a particular niche, or have exemplified positive qualities such as leadership can have their ratings modified favorably.  

However, modifications can also be applied negatively. A student involved in a very niche topic with large outreach efforts can have their score modified negatively if the participation was minimal or with very little impact. 

Students who rank the highest on the Harvard scale are those who have strong contributions to one or more activities, such as class president or newspaper editor, or display an unusual yet extraordinary strength in one or more areas. These can include a national-level achievement, professional experience, or involvement in a Harvard program—something that is truly unusual and stands out among the typical applicants.  

The Qualities that Admissions Officers Search For 

Extracurricular activities are not just a list of students' accomplishments. They are examples of students' character, their commitment to their field, and a display of passion and expertise.  

When evaluating applicants, Harvard admissions officers look for students who stand out among the general crowd of applicants who apply to the school each year. These are students who display qualities that are truly unique and that can contribute to the culture at Harvard. However, admissions officers know to regard students' achievements within context. Students who have other obligations or who cannot physically participate in extracurricular activities are given more leeway in the admissions process.  

Yet, admissions officers also value quality over quantity. Being a world-class performer in multiple fields will not earn a student that many more points than being a world-class performer in just one field. Generally, students with multiple interests should seek to define a common theme between all their interests that will unite their application and tell a clear narrative of their journey. This type of thematic approach to building an application is a solid technique that stands out in the minds of college admissions officers.  

Extracurriculars that Develop Good Qualities 

Students need to keep in mind that one of the necessary components of an extracurriculars list on a college application is to showcase a student's personality, character qualities, and fields of passion to college admissions officers. Students should seek to highlight their strongest qualities while minimizing any gaps in their application that may take away from admissions officers' consideration. 

Leadership is one of the foremost qualities that college admissions officers look for in applicants. Students should seek out leadership positions and opportunities within their extracurriculars to make an impact on the organization. Documented achievements, such as awards, the amount of funds raised for charity, or the number of people aided through outreach programs, are a solid way to show a student's impact in their extracurriculars. 

Involving others in your achievements and striving to make an impact on your community and peers Will be a great way for students to show leadership, initiative, and impact in their activities.  

Summer Programs for High School Students 

Summer is a great opportunity for high school students to seek new achievements and get ahead in their college admissions. Summer programs are plentiful during the vacation months, so high school students should make the most of the season while they have the time.  

Leadership initiatives, such as those provided by the Leadership and Innovation Lab, are great ways for students to pursue their interests and work on signature passion projects to present for their college applications.  

To learn more about summer programs and the opportunities that high school students can pursue during their off-season, take a look at the InGenius Prep Summer Programs list, where we have a program developed by educational experts in nearly every field and subject. Work with our expert team of former admissions officers to give your students the advantage they need for college applications. Click here to learn more!