Supplemental Application Materials

Although the required components of the application to Harvard provide an ample basis on which to make our admission decisions, we want to be certain you have every opportunity to tell us about yourself. Supplementary materials or portfolios are neither required nor expected. Such materials may be submitted, but you should do so only if you have unusual talent. Students with truly exceptional talents or achievements may send music recordings, slides of artwork, or selected samples of academic work for the consideration of the Admissions Committee. At the discretion of the Admissions Committee, such submissions may be evaluated by faculty.

Because we cannot return such materials, applicants should send only duplicates. If you plan to send supplementary materials to the Admissions Office, we ask you to observe the following guidelines:

General Guidelines

• Please label your materials with your legal name, address, high school, and date of birth.
• All supplementary materials must be sent to the Admissions Office so that they can be properly labeled and included in your file. DO NOT submit materials directly to academic departments.
• If you are sending a CD, please label the disc with the format of the media contained on the disc (audio CD/DVD/other media).
• Do not send more than one copy of the same item unless we request it.
• Remember to package your submission to protect it during transit.
• Include a cover letter with your legal name, address, high school and date of birth and a brief description of what you are sending.

Research/Writing Samples

• If you are submitting research materials for review, please include a short statement putting the research project into the context of your academic interests and future plans as well as the name, title and contact information of your principal research mentor.
• Please do not place any paper-based support material in binders. Stapling or binding in the upper left corner is sufficient. Please include a header or footer and paginate each sheet (e.g., 1 of 4).

Slides

• If you are sending slides, please label each mount with your legal name, date of birth and high school.
• Please insert all slides into clear plastic, notebook-style slide pages.
• Please send visual artwork only in slide format unless your work must be viewed in electronic form in order to be evaluated.
• Please choose a maximum of 12 slides representing your best work.
• Please indicate the total number of slides submitted in your cover letter.

Music Recordings

• Please note that CD format is preferred but that tapes will be evaluated.
• Please only submit recordings of solo pieces (vocal pieces with accompaniment are permissible).
• Do not send video or DVD recordings of musical performances or recitals.
• Please place all CDs in a standard 5.5" by 5"-size soft protective sleeve to protect your item during mailing. Label both the case and the CD itself with your legal name, date of birth and high school.

Video Recordings of dance recitals, short films etc.

• Please place all DVDs in a standard 5.5" by 5"-size soft protective sleeve to protect your item during mailing. Label both the case and the DVD itself with your legal name, date of birth and high school.