What should I do to increase my chances of getting into Harvard University/College?

Harvard and the Ivy League schools only start with the grades (which have to be tops, but not always the 4.0s), then they like to see leadership potential, strong mature minds and a well defined ambition (ie, good to know what you want to major in and why). They will look heavily at the essay and your involvement in community groups and any organizations where you took an active or even better a leadership role. They like good writers and people who are good at speaking clearly and expressing themselves. They sometimes pass on candidates with 4.0s if it looks like the person soley focused on grades and test scores and nothing else. They prefer a B+ student who worked on Habitat for Humanity on the weekends, worked on the re-election campaign of a local congressional candidate and became the youngest person in their town to run for Mayor (and win)

You are a freshman in high school. Well, it's not bad that you want to go to Harvard. Right now, getting into ivy league school doesn't really take kids with perfect SATs score anymore. To get into this kind of school, you have to be a well-rounded individual. That means: if you like sports, consider joining the team. if you like helping out community, do some community service. Basically, you have to show to the colleges that you are more than just nerds. Words of advice, at first in my freshman year of hs, i wanted to go to ivy league school. As year goes by, you will see and learn that maybe ivy league schools are not where you may want to be. So. take your time and figure what you want to do in life while in high school. You never know that four years from now, you may end up some where else other than Harvard. If you need any other advice about college, let me know. I'm a volunteer college advisor in my neighborhood. So i can give you more info about colleges and stuff. Peace, Dear

You need to be in the top one precent of your high school class and do extra curriculars. The website i put below has a list of all types of colleges and things about them like what is needed to get in, about who goes to the school, and ohter intresting things.

Do your kiegel exercises every day and nail the interviewer when he visits your school.

well basically you have to excell in all of the application aspects. Very good grades, extremely good. Sports Community Service A good admission essay Exellent SAT scores A job(like to see that you are responsible) That might just about cover it..also get involved with your schools student government. Good luck! it wont be easy

Your grades should be very good but you also have to demonstrate 'well-rounded' qualities. Becoming involved with different groups where you can show leadership and drive will make you more appealing to any school, especially an ivy-league. Try getting involved with your local Habitat for Humanity, Debate Club, National Honor society, Key Club, Student Council...etc. It would also be a really good idea to work on studying a foreign language, language abilities are usually seen as a plus. If you can 'translate' (pun intended) your study of a foreign language into some time abroad - a student exchange maybe that also will show Harvard that you have a well rounded education. All in all check out Harvard's application procedures to see what things they are screening for in their students. Enjoy High School and if you are truly focused on this goal there is no reason you can't achieve it.

of course you need to get almost perfect everything to get into harvard. basically you need to make yourself stand out. take up some activity or club and be really dedicated to it and get a leadership position. they really like that.

Study, study and study! Have about a 4.3 GPA, a parent who is a alum, donate a lot of money and hope like hell!

Apply to Harvard.