Current Interview Questions: Harvard University

We're still in the thick of college interview season as we head into the holidays and interview questions are still flowing in. Below is an early report on questions applicants are getting from their Harvard University interviewers. Questions for other schools is here. ---CJ

Harvard University

Like other schools we've looked at so far, Harvard lets its alumni interviewers ask whatever they want, and so the questions you're likely to get will vary widely. The interview is typically more of an informal conversation, although many reports have mentioned that, unlike other college interviews that are essentially reviews of your background and interests, your Harvard interview is more likely to include discussions on current events, world affairs and public policy.

Also, be prepared to get a couple of curveball

questions--your Harvard interviewer is going to assume that you know how to interview and will want to see how you can think on your feet.

(There's not a ton on the Harvard website about their interviews, but what they have is here)

Current interview questions for Harvard:

• What book do you wish you'd written?
  
• What's your favorite band/type of music and why?
• What has been your most important high-school experience so far?
• Tell me about your favorite short story or creative writing piece that you have done.
• What are your career goals? How does Harvard fit into that?
• Everyone who applies to Harvard is pretty accomplished. What makes you unique?
  
• Why does Harvard want you?
• What do you hope to be involved with at Harvard?
  
• How did you spend your summer?
• Tell me about your best friend. What would he/she say about you?
  
• Compare the United States in the current day to the Roman Empire at the time of Caesar.
• What's the most pressing threat to the United States today? Over the next 10 years?
• Will this century be the "Chinese Century"? Why or why not?
• What do you feel is the most pressing domestic need in the country today? How would you address it?
• What are the most critical issues, to you, in the current healthcare debate? Do you think they're being addressed?
• What do you think about the health care legislation that just passed the House?
• If you were the President, what would you do to try to address the economic downturn?
• What would you like to see coming out of the Copenhagen climate talks?
• Do you agree or disagree with the decision to send more troops to Afghanistan?
  
• One of the hallmarks of the Bush administration--and some would say the current Republican party--was a very prominent role of religion in public policy, which is a departure from historic norms in this country. What do you think is the proper role of religion in the public sphere?