Harvard University Supplemental Essay Prompts & Writing Guide 2025-2026

With only 150 words, you need to act like every sentence is doing multiple jobs. Focus on one specific life experience that has genuinely shaped how you think or see the world; trying to cram multiple experiences will leave you sounding rushed and shallow. Pick something that clearly connects to an actual perspective or insight you bring to campus, whether that is rooted in your cultural background, your socioeconomic experience, your geographic location, or even a specific passion or way of thinking. Harvard knows that diversity means far more than just race or ethnicity, so if those don't feel authentic to your story, you can absolutely write about religious beliefs, gender identity, intellectual curiosity around a niche topic, or how your family's values shaped your worldview. The key is showing admissions officers that your experience has genuinely given you something distinct to offer, not just that you are different from others.

The second half of your essay is actually the harder part: showing how you will contribute this perspective to Harvard's community. Don't just say you will be a good friend or listen to people; instead, show Harvard where your specific viewpoint or experience will make a real difference. Maybe your background gives you insight into an issue nobody else in the room is thinking about, or maybe you have a set of values that will push your peers to think differently in a class discussion, a club meeting, or a dorm conversation. Admissions readers want to see that you are thinking concretely about how you will actually engage with Harvard's diverse community, not just coexist in it.

Keep your language specific and grounded in real examples rather than abstract ideals. Admissions officers read thousands of essays where students promise to "bring their unique perspective" or "celebrate differences," so those phrases register as generic. Instead, ground your thinking in a moment or a story that makes your perspective feel real and earned. Show, don't tell; let the admissions officer see your worldview through the details of your experience and understand naturally why you will enrich their community.

Harvard added this question specifically because it values intellectual vitality and civil discourse; this is not just another application requirement but a reflection of what the university wants to build on campus. The admissions committee is evaluating whether you can navigate substantive disagreement with respect, curiosity, and humility. Your story should demonstrate that you listen genuinely, articulate your own position clearly, and emerge from the conversation with growth (whether that means changing your mind, deepening your conviction, or gaining new understanding). With only 150 words, spend minimal time explaining the disagreement itself and instead focus on how you engaged and what you took away; avoid sounding self-righteous, condescending, or superior to the person you disagreed with.

Choose a disagreement that matters and has real substance. A debate about which song to perform at a talent show or where to eat dinner will likely fall flat. Instead, think about discussions you have had involving values, ideas, or issues that matter to you; the admissions officers want to see you grappling with the kinds of perspectives you will encounter in Harvard's diverse classrooms and residential spaces. If you changed your mind or saw merit in the other person's viewpoint, that is powerful material because it shows humility and intellectual flexibility. Even if you did not agree in the end, you can still write a strong essay if you can credibly show that you approached the conversation with an open mind and genuine curiosity about why the other person believed what they did.

Focus on demonstrating maturity and emotional intelligence in how you communicated. Did you listen? Did you ask questions before responding? Did you find common ground or acknowledge valid points in the other person's argument, even while maintaining your own position? Admissions readers want to envision how you will show up in their community; they are looking for evidence that you can engage across difference productively, not that you always win arguments. Avoid trash-talking the person you disagreed with or positioning yourself as morally or intellectually superior. Instead, convey respect for their perspective and genuine engagement with their reasoning, even when you ultimately did not agree. That restraint and perspective will make your essay stand out.

With just 150 words, your job is to show Harvard who you are through one meaningful experience, not to impress with accolades or highlight your resume. The admissions officers have already seen your activities list, so pick something that either isn't listed there or that lets you go deeper into what you actually learned from it. Whether it's an extracurricular, a job, a family responsibility, or a travel experience, the key is to explain why this activity mattered to you and what it revealed about your character. Focus less on what you did and more on what you became because of it.

Be specific and authentic to yourself. Avoid writing about something you think Harvard wants to hear; instead, choose an experience that genuinely shaped your values or perspective. If you've already explored a passion (like community service) in your main Common App essay, consider picking a different activity here so you can show Harvard a new dimension of who you are. Strong essays tell a brief story with concrete details, sensory language, or a specific moment that captures why the experience mattered. For example, rather than saying you learned leadership from debate team, describe a particular round where you had to pivot your argument and what that taught you about listening to opposing views and thinking on your feet.

Finally, use this 150-word space to hint at how this formative experience will shape how you engage with Harvard's community. If your experience involved working with diverse groups, serving others, or overcoming a personal challenge, mention briefly how those lessons will inform the way you contribute to campus. Harvard values students who arrive with not just skills but with reflection, humility, and genuine curiosity about the world. Show that you've thought critically about what shaped you and that you're excited to bring that growth mindset to your college experience.

With only 150 words, you need to pack intentionality and specificity into every sentence. The question asks how you'll use your Harvard education in the future, not why you want to attend, so focus on forward momentum rather than what Harvard offers. Admissions wants to see that you've thought deeply about your post-graduation trajectory and that you understand how a Harvard education connects to that vision. Avoid generic statements like "I hope to make a positive impact on society," which tell the committee nothing about who you actually are. Instead, identify a clear direction, major, or field that genuinely excites you right now, then research specific professors, courses, or programs at Harvard that align with it. For example, if you're interested in environmental policy, mention a professor's work on carbon emissions or a specific course like "Climate Policy Analysis" that you'd take. This signals that you've done your homework and see Harvard as a strategic stepping stone, not just a prestigious name.

Beyond naming specific academic resources, connect your current experience and accomplishments to this future vision. If you've already done relevant research, held internships, or tackled projects in your area of interest, briefly reference what you've learned and how Harvard will deepen that work. The goal is to show a believable trajectory; admissions officers need to see that your post-graduate goal is actually attainable through the path you're describing. Don't claim you'll revolutionize immunotherapy if you've never taken a biology class, and don't say you'll pursue law if you haven't explored what that actually means. Ground your vision in the work you've already done and show how Harvard, with its specific resources and community, will help you move to the next level. This demonstrates maturity and self-awareness, two qualities Harvard values highly.

Finally, consider including one or two concrete details about how you envision using your Harvard education, whether through student organizations, clubs, labs, or mentoring relationships. These specifics show that you're not just daydreaming but actually envisioning yourself as part of the community and leveraging what it offers. If you want to work in international development, mention your plan to connect with the Center for International Development or partner with student organizations focused on that work. If you're passionate about theater, explain how performing in Harvard's dramatic productions or studying under particular faculty will prepare you for a career directing Broadway shows. The admissions committee reads thousands of these essays, and the ones that stand out are those written by applicants who clearly understand both their own ambitions and how Harvard's particular strengths serve them.

For this Harvard roommate prompt, keep the tone light, casual, and conversational. The admissions committee wants to see you drop the formal application voice and reveal the quirks, habits, and day-to-day qualities that make you genuine and human. This is your opportunity to showcase personality traits that don't fit neatly into your transcript or activities list, like your music preferences, late-night snacking habits, or whether you're someone who prefers studying in silence or with background noise.

Stick strictly to three things. Harvard intentionally limits the prompt, and cramming in extra details turns your essay into a scattered list rather than a cohesive snapshot of who you are. Each of the three things you share should be specific and memorable (not vague statements like "I'm friendly" or "I work hard"). Think about the practical realities of living with someone: Do you binge-watch certain shows? Do you reorganize shared spaces compulsively? Are you a night owl or an early riser? Honest, concrete details create a vivid picture and help the reader imagine what it's actually like to live with you.

Consider using a creative format to make your essay stand out. Some successful Harvard applicants have used numbered lists, a "Dear Roommate" letter format, or even a playful, slightly humorous tone to convey their personality. Just make sure the format serves your content rather than overshadowing it. If you choose humor, keep it genuine and avoid forcing jokes. The goal is to sound like yourself on a good day, introducing yourself to someone you'll be sharing a space with for nine months. At 150 words, you have roughly 50 words per point, so be selective and make every sentence count.