How I Got Into Harvard | 하버드생의 대학 입시 팁

Summary

In this video, Bella, a Harvard senior, shares insights on college admissions, focusing on selecting the right schools, crafting compelling essays, and securing scholarships. She emphasizes the importance of aligning school programs with personal goals, avoiding the pitfalls of solely relying on rankings, and utilizing resources like the Common App and Elsa app for essay writing and interview preparation. Bella also discusses the significance of 'demonstrated interest' and the value of optional supplements in strengthening applications, ultimately advising students to approach the process with self-awareness and a match-making mindset.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Bella is a rising senior at Harvard and currently applying to medical schools, reflecting on her college application experience.
• 💡 The first step in applying is to choose schools that are a good fit, not just based on rankings but on specific programs that align with personal goals.
• 💸 College applications can get expensive, so being selective and researching scholarships and unique programs is important.
• 🎓 Dual-degree programs, like medical or arts programs, offer accelerated paths and unique opportunities that students should consider early.
• ✍️ The personal essay is crucial, serving as a way to tie the rest of the application together and showcase one's personality beyond grades and activities.
• 📚 Bella recommends reading successful essays, like those from The Crimson’s 'Harvard essay' series, to get inspiration for the personal statement.
• 🎥 Bella advises students to have 'main character energy' in their essay by sharing personal stories that show resilience, growth, and relatability.
• 👩‍🎓 Interviews are informal, but preparation is key. Bella recommends practicing with common questions and using tools like the Elsa app for language confidence.
• 📊 Demonstrated interest in a school (through info sessions or supplemental essays) can help boost an application, as schools track 'yield rate.'
• 📹 Optional materials, such as video introductions and art portfolios, are not truly optional and can provide an edge in the application process.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Bella's video?

The main focus of Bella's video is to provide college application advice, including choosing the right schools, writing essays, and understanding the application process.

Why is it important to choose the right schools to apply to?

It's important to choose the right schools because applying to colleges can be expensive, and students should ensure they are applying to schools that are good fits for them and worth the investment.

What is Bella's advice on selecting schools based on specific offerings?

Bella advises looking for school-specific programs that align with one's goals and interests rather than just considering rankings and statistics.

Why did Bella mention dual-degree programs in her video?

Bella mentioned dual-degree programs to highlight opportunities that can provide benefits such as free tuition, accelerated degrees, or study abroad opportunities, which can be valuable for students with specific career goals.

What is the significance of 'demonstrated interest' in college applications?

Demonstrated interest is significant because it can give a minor boost to an application and is a way for colleges to measure the likelihood that an admitted student will actually enroll.

How does Bella suggest preparing for college interviews?

Bella suggests preparing for college interviews by practicing common interview questions, using tools like Elsa for English pronunciation and speaking practice, and having a template for common questions.

What role does the personal essay play in a college application according to Bella?

The personal essay is considered the most important part of the application by Bella, as it provides a narrative that ties the rest of the application together and humanizes the applicant.

Why does Bella recommend looking at example essays when preparing to write your own?

Bella recommends looking at example essays to get a feel for the type of writing that has been successful for other students and to understand what schools are looking for in a personal statement.

What is the 'freestyle mode' in Elsa that Bella likes?

The 'freestyle mode' in Elsa is a feature that allows users to practice small talk, after which the app provides a score and detailed feedback on how to improve speaking skills.

How does Bella feel about applying to college being compared to a dating app?

Bella compares college applications to a dating app to emphasize that it's a two-way street where both the applicant and the school should be a good match, and it's important to be honest about what you're looking for.

What is Bella's stance on optional components of college applications?

Bella's stance is that optional components should not be taken too literally and that it's almost always better to submit them as they provide additional opportunities to showcase your interests and personality.