50 Successful Harvard Application Essays, 5th Edition: What Worked for Them Can Help You Get into the College of Your Choice

by Staff of the Harvard Crimson

Fifty all-new essays that got their authors into Harvard - with updated statistics, analysis, and complete student profiles - showing what worked, what didn’t, and how you can do it, too.

With talented applicants coming from top high schools as well as the pressure to succeed from family and friends, it’s no wonder that writing college application essays is one of the most stressful tasks high schoolers face. To help, this completely new edition of 50 Successful Harvard Application Essays, edited by the staff of the Harvard Crimson, gives readers the most inspiring approaches, both conventional and creative, that won over admissions officers at Harvard University, the nation’s top-ranked college.

From chronicling personal achievements to detailing unique talents, the topics covered in these essays open applicants up to new techniques to put their best foot forward. It teaches students how

- Get started
- Stand out
- Structure the best possible essay
- Avoid common pitfalls

Each essay in this collection is from a Harvard student who made the cut, is accompanied by a student profile that includes SAT scores and grades, and is followed by a detailed analysis by the staff of the Harvard Crimson that shows readers how they can approach their own stories and ultimately write their own high-caliber essay.

50 Successful Harvard Application Essays’ all-new examples and straightforward advice make it the first stop for college applicants who are looking to craft essays that get them accepted to the school of their dreams.

Genres: College, Education, Nonfiction

226 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 9, 2017

Reviews

[Michi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Def one of my nerdier reads but 100% worth it!

- the essays were really well written (obviously) and the book did a good job of showing different students of different backgrounds and intentions for their futures at Harvard

- the feedback was very thorough and the editors didn’t sugarcoat anything, which was very appreciated as someone who is applying to college in a year :)

[Erin Cleary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yep, I read this. No, I have no plans to apply to Harvard. Yes, I did already graduate from college. Here's what happened: this is the most popular book sold at my bookstore. Tourists go CRAZY for it. I stared at it on the shelf for hours every day. I am BEYOND bored at my day job. I was putting this back on its shelf one day when I opened it, read about half a page and then committed to reading the entire thing. I read it cover to cover, and these are my thoughts. I think if someone was genuinely interested in applying to Harvard, this is an excellent read. It delves into faux pas within the typical college essay, acknowledges strengths and weaknesses of each essay, and breaks down small details to the essays' structures. Even someone interested in writing a good college essay could benefit from this. Some of the applications and essays are impressive and really good. I forgot these were written by high schoolers. I quickly got attached to some, and others make great stories. It was fun. Something I noticed however, from looking at these application stats, is that these applicants have a lot of privilege. They were a part of several after-school clubs, had access to terrific private schools, have wealthy families, and it shows. Something that has been constantly bothering me at this job, is the entitlement shown by a lot of the patrons. Harvard is elite, and the people that go there know it. I think there are a lot of ways to write a good college essay. Mine wasn't perfect by these standards, but I didn't want to go to Harvard anyway, they didn't even have my major! However, I'm glad I can tell customers I've read it now. I'm glad Harvard indirectly gives me my paycheck.

[Samir Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

No doubt this book contains best essays I have ever read. Essays are really indulging and have diversity from personal thoughts and ideas to real life experiences. This book will be really helpful for school students in writing essays in exams and those seeking admission in various colleges specially Harvard. At the end of each essay, review and analysis has been given by an expert which helps a lot. Overall I recommend this book to every student for successful essay writing.

[Bryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad

[Timmy Kang · Rating 5 out of 5]

These collections of essays were quite insightful, demonstrating the goods and the bads of each applicant's essay. Throughout the book, the staff of Harvard Crimson precisely pinpointed ways on avoiding common essay pitfalls and was simply an inspiration for myself, as I find myself, more and more pondering and drafting essays for the future ahead. Most importantly, this book helped reiterated the fact that every story and person is original and that it is only a matter of how one presents himself or herself that demonstrates their personal anecdote.

I believe this non-fiction, anecdotal novel is perfect for all teenagers, especially high schoolers graduating soon. Seeing the top of the top in regards to writing college application essays, applicable to the majority of students, is not only inspirational but also extremely helpful and beneficial for one's future craft.

[Adam Morrissey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Catered towards writing a good application essay for college BUT solid read for anyone. Refreshing to read short essays from brilliant and youthful minds. The essay allows applicants to write their story that wouldn’t show up as a test score or award list. I think high schoolers are at best misunderstood, at worst discarded from a national conversation. They bring out their identities, passions, experiences and adversity to light. Worth listening to their voices and comforting that they are already changing the world.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genuinely helpful range of essays on intellectual curiosity, identity, and passion(s). I share specific essays with my students to illustrate the range of ways in which one can weave deeply personal introspective narratives based on the typical range of prompts. The expert review of each essay is also excellent context for students — very much including the fact that the essay doesn’t have to be flawless in every way to succeed, but it does need to be authentic to the writer.

[Amar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of them were quite interesting essays.
It is true that I had several things to take from this.
But not a something that is mind blowing.

[Bookworm Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the essays here are amazing and very good. Definitely very helpful for writing application essays, not just for Harvard but for other schools! :)

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 - Really helpful

[nysa]

THE FACT THAT THIS IS THE ONLY READING IVE DONE IN LIKE THE PAST MONTH ??

[Usama Albastaki · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a collection of essays of students applying for Harvard. They put their best describing theirselves to get admit it. Some of thse essays are high class materials of literature

[Nikki · Rating 1 out of 5]

why 😟
evil

[Julia Sylva · Rating 4 out of 5]

made me wanna kms

[Taylor Ann Marie]

looking @ resumes of harvard students for novel research LOL

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book that started it all. Back when I didn't know how to spell "essay" and would write practice "college S.A."'s on the top sheets of paper

[Ly Casnocha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This helped me when I applied to my program. There were some impressive writings and narratives from applicants. Thanks to some of these writings and narratives that I got into my target choice. I can sympathize with some narratives that these applicants no matter how brilliant they can be, they also can exhibit several negative sides. However, I had a good memory reading this and learned how to write skillfully and clearly as well. I used some parts of it and it brought me to my choice.

[ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Eye-opening and useful for those who want to apply to an Ivy League. The essays are inspirational and show exactly what a good Application Essay looks like. I was especially intrigued by the reviews from the staff. They used the same statement "Show, don't tell."

[Ivory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is pretty good and shows some very good essays. As much as essays may not be the best thing to read, compared to a fiction book but it is very helpful on how to write a personal essay.