Ivy Cultures: Harvard - Leadership & Innovation

Harvard University is located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the greater Boston metropolitan area of the United States. It is a top-tier private research university and a member of the Ivy League and the Global University Leaders Forum. Established in 1636, Harvard University consists of ten schools and one graduate institute. In the 2023 U.S. News Best Colleges ranking, Harvard University is ranked 3rd. As of 2018, Harvard has produced 18 Nobel laureates and 14 Turing Award winners.

A Cradle for Excellence and Influence

Harvard University is renowned for its academic prestige and outstanding alumni network. However, in addition to academic excellence, Harvard University is also acclaimed for nurturing generations of exceptional leaders. In this passionate and opportunistic learning environment, students have the opportunity to develop and exercise their leadership skills, becoming leaders and achievers among their peers in society.

Distinguished Alumni

Mark Zuckerberg: Co-founder and CEO of Facebook, known for his leadership in the social media and technology industry

Barack Obama: The 44th President of the United States, acclaimed for his excellent leadership skills and inspiring speeches

Bill Gates: Co-founder of Microsoft, dedicated to philanthropy and playing a crucial role in global health and education

John F. Kennedy: The 35th President of the United States, one of the most respected leaders in American history, committed to promoting social change and international relations

Harvard Innovation Lab

Harvard has a renowned program called the Harvard Innovation Lab (i-lab), which cultivates students' leadership and influence in entrepreneurship and innovation. Students can participate in entrepreneurial projects, workshops, and mentorship programs to develop innovative thinking and an entrepreneurial spirit. The i-lab organizes various innovation and entrepreneurship competitions, similar to traditional business plan competitions, where participating teams submit proposals and give presentations, and then judges select winning projects. The winning teams receive cash or in-kind rewards. Currently, Harvard Innovation Labs has invited 18 companies to join Launch Lab X GEO, a virtual startup program aimed at helping startups led by Harvard alumni grow into sustainable and disruptive enterprises.

Diversity in Harvard Classrooms

Many students may have the impression that students at top-tier universities are solely focused on academic pursuits and lack a rich extracurricular life, stereotypically seen as "nerdy." However, Harvard does not simply require students to immerse themselves in academics. The university offers courses that broaden students' perspectives and enrich their experiences. For example, Harvard's modern art appreciation course invites students to visit the school's art museum, and anthropology courses may involve actual fieldwork to explore the mysteries of ancient human life and architecture. Moreover, Harvard has a Cross Registration system that allows students to register and take courses at other higher education institutions outside Harvard University. Partner institutions include MIT, Brown University, and The Fletcher School at Tufts University, among others. Through cross-registration, students can delve into areas of their interest, interact with professors and students from different academic backgrounds, and enrich their academic knowledge and exchange experiences.

Admissions Preferences

Harvard is known for its highly competitive admissions process among the Ivy League schools, placing great emphasis on students' overall qualities and potential. According to data from the Common Data Set website, over the years, 93% of admitted students at Harvard have been in the top 10% of their high school class, and 98% have been in the top 25%. Apart from academic achievements, Harvard values applicants' leadership, personal accomplishments, and social impact. The university seeks to admit students who have demonstrated leadership and achievements in various fields, including activities at school, in the community, or in other organizations, competition awards, volunteer work, and research projects. Harvard places importance on applicants' distinctive personal characteristics and favors students who can showcase their expertise and unique experiences in a particular field. Interviews serve as a significant way to present one's personal qualities and are crucial in the application process.