We get it: you’re nervous about your Harvard interview and probably need to figure out where to begin your preparations from. As usual, you expect the competition for admission spots to be tough; hence, your paranoia. But there’s no need to be afraid, especially when you can build confidence by preparing. What should you read? Everything you can lay your hands on. But most importantly, you should focus on past Harvard interview questions and answers to get a clue of what to expect. That said, here are Some popular Harvard interview questions and how to answer them.
Q1. Why are you interested in joining Harvard
Although it seems straightforward, this is a tricky question that admission officers use to determine your readiness for the challenge that Harvard brings. Here, you’re not only expected to explain the reason for your Harvard ambition. It’ll also be good to explain it in relation to how it’ll impact your immediate society. For example, while saying it’s an age-long dream, you can also say you intend to use the knowledge you’ll get from Harvard to impact your community positively. In addition to showing your readiness, this shows the admission officers that you’ll carry on the school’s objectives.
Q2. What do you want to study?
The admission committee already knows what you want to study since they obviously have your transcript on their table, but they still want to hear you say it. They want to see the passion with which you’ll talk about it since that translates to the level of work you’ll put in. Always seize this opportunity to market your readiness for the course. Don’t leave them second-guessing whether it’s the right course for your
Q3. With so many Ivy League Colleges worldwide offering this course, why Harvard
Admission officers want to know that you’re passionate about what their school offers. Whether it’s in terms of studies, leadership training, or extracurriculars. You can also use this opportunity to connect your passion to the school’s core values. Do your research about Harvard and its core values before the interview date. But how do you convey your enthusiasm? By proving to them that you’ve done your research about the institution. Show them your admiration for some achievements of their alums and how it spurs you to become better in your field.
Q4. What do you do outside classes?
Here’s an opportunity to let your personality shine. Our simple advice is, “be honest.” You’ve probably touched on this when answering the question about yourself, but the interviewers want to know more. They are curious about what you can bring to Harvard and whether you can fit in with other students. There’s no point going above and beyond here. Keep it simple and professional. Avoid talking about anything that could be a red flag. A good way to start is to think of your life-enriching passions and talk about them. Talk about how you intend to use your passion to help other students improve. Here are some hobbies that are appropriate to mention for such situations:
- Cooking
- Sports
- Reading
- Writing
- Volunteering
- Listening to podcasts
- Hiking
Whatever your choice, be sure it’s something you’re passionate about because you may get follow-up questions on the said hobbies.
Q5. What are your academic interests
Here’s a question often asked to know more about your intellectual passions. Admissions committee members typically ask this question to decipher the areas of academia that most excite you and why. You’re also expected to explain why you chose your chosen major. Before answering, think about how you chose your major in the first place. Forget about superficial reasons like money. Talk about how you’ve excelled in related topics in and out of the classroom. A good answer will not only explain why you’re interested in the major but also how the major helps you build a successful career.
Q6. What are your professional goals?
Along with questions about your qualifications, interviewers typically want to know more about your future goals. Thus, they’ll typically ask a question like this. They also want to assess your ambitions, expectations, and work ethic. If your professional goals can benefit the institution, you may be more likely to get into Harvard. However, you’d have to answer it well. Start by explaining your short-term and long-term goals. While short-term goals describe what you intend to achieve as a student or immediately after school, long-term goals describe objectives you’d want to achieve in a long time.
Q7. Where do you see yourself in X years?
While X years is a long time from now, you’ll most likely be asked where you see yourself. The question is an attempt to measure your future goals and how motivated you are to pursue them. Interviewers are looking to see what value you’ll bring to Harvard in your pursuit of future goals. Before answering the question, think about the type of job you want or the team you’d like to work with. Figure out how your stay at Harvard will help you reach this height. However, note that it’s still okay not to have it figured out yet. In this case, do some research about the career path you’ll follow to reach your professional goals.
Q8. What, in your opinion, are the most important qualities of a successful graduate student?
Despite being one of the most popular Harvard interview questions, students still often need clarification on this question. Here, the interviewers want to see how you’ll fare as a leader. They want to see your ability to think rationally and make decisions that affect other people. Before answering, think about all the best qualities you admire in students. Talk about how you intend to achieve the great things other students have achieved. Look up alum forums to understand what it means to be a successful graduate student. Use whatever knowledge you get to draft an excellent answer.
Conclusion
Getting into Harvard involves a tough process. You have to be ready for everything the process will throw at you. Here are some of the most popular Harvard questions you’ll encounter during your admission interview. Contact us to learn more about the Harvard interview and how to navigate it.
