Harvard CV example

A good CV for a Harvard application isn’t just a formality – it’s your opportunity to show why you’re a perfect fit for one of the world’s most prestigious institutions. Admissions teams want to see evidence of academic rigour, leadership experience, and unique personal achievements.

This guide will help you create a CV that’s polished, professional, and packed with the kind of details that get noticed by admissions committees.

Your CV structure needs to be as impressive as your ambitions and as polished as the Harvard Library floors. A clear structure will make it easy for the admissions team to see why you deserve a spot in their community of high achievers: no need for a PhD in writing a CV here; just follow this structure, and you’ll have admissions officers hooked.

Here’s how to structure your Harvard CV:

• Name and contact information – Place your contact details at the top so admissions officers can easily reach you. Including a picture of yourself is not required or expected.
• Profile – Start with a concise summary of your academic focus, achievements, and career aspirations.
• Core skills – Bullet point your strengths, such as research abilities, leadership skills, or technical expertise.
• Work experience – List your roles with the newest ones first, including internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer positions.
• Education – Detail your existing academic qualifications, coursework, and relevant projects that’ll serve as a foundation for your future degree.
• Additional info – Optionally, mention hobbies and interests and awards that showcase your passion or align with Harvard’s values.

Harvard’s admissions team and recruiters review thousands of applications, so your CV format should be easy to read and professionally presented. Think clean, concise, and free from mistakes – no unnecessary flair needed for an effective layout. 

Here’s how to format your Harvard CV:

• Bullet points – Break down responsibilities and achievements clearly to avoid overwhelming the reader.
• Divide sections – Use clear headings to separate different parts of your CV.
• Use a clean font – Opt for a simple and professional font for readability.
• Keep it the right length – Stick to one or two pages – enough length to highlight your brilliance without overloading the admissions officer.

Think of your profile as the abstract of your academic life – it’s where you grab their attention and make them want to read the full report. You’ll need to really sell yourself, so don’t be afraid to brag a little and make the occasional name drop.

A junior candidate might find more value in a personal statement, which allows more detail and discusses your overall aspirations. A cover letter is also highly recommended, and tends to be required for your application.

Here are some tips on what to include in your Harvard CV profile:

• Your academic focus – Highlight your field of interest, whether it’s public policy, biomedical research, or economics.
• Major achievements – Include accolades like high grades, research publications, or awards.
• Work experience – If you’ve already got some formal work under your belt, great! Mention what you did and the skills you acquired.
• Key skills – Mention the transferable skills you’ve learned from work and study. 
• Leadership experience – Note roles in student councils, clubs, or community organisations.
• Career aspirations – Align your goals with what Harvard values, such as innovation, service, or thought leadership.

Think of your core CV skills section as your academic toolkit – this is where you showcase the abilities that make you stand out as a student. 

Keep this section concise and relevant, offering a tailored blend of hard and soft skills that align with Harvard’s expectations for top-tier candidates. This approach shows you’re not just an exceptional student – you’re a well-rounded individual who’s ready to contribute to their prestigious university.

The education section is the backbone of your Harvard CV. This is where you showcase your academic journey, highlighting your commitment to excellence and intellectual growth that’ll help you graduate. Admissions officers want to see not only your qualifications but also how you’ve gone above and beyond in your studies.

Start with your most recent education and work backwards, in reverse chronological order).

For those with less formal academic experience but impressive practical achievements, showcase alternative education pathways, such as online certifications (Coursera, edX, etc.) or mentorships in your field.

Admissions officers are looking for a balance of intellectual curiosity, achievement, and potential, so use this section to demonstrate why you’re ready to thrive at Harvard.

Example education sections

What to include in your education section

For each qualification, add the following info:

• Qualification & Institution – State the degree, diploma, or certification you earned and the name of the institution where you studied. 
• Dates Attended – Indicate the period you studied, using either exact dates or simply the years. For ongoing studies, include the expected completion date.
• Additional Details – For your most recent and most relevant qualifications, go beyond the basics to highlight what makes your education unique. Mention specific modules, standout coursework, significant essays, or capstone projects. If applicable, include awards, academic competitions, or research contributions. 

Your work experience section is where you get to show how your skills and efforts have translated into real-world results. For a Harvard application, this might include internships, part-time jobs, volunteer roles, or any leadership positions you’ve held in organisations.

If you’re applying as a younger student or have no experience, don’t worry – Harvard’s admissions team is just as interested in seeing how you’ve taken initiative or made an impact, no matter the setting. 

School work placements, volunteer work, or even unique personal projects can demonstrate your drive and potential. For example, if you coordinated a school fundraiser or developed a tutoring programme for your peers, that’s worth including.

The key is to focus on what you learned and how you contributed, rather than worrying about the job title. Admissions officers value growth, creativity, and leadership potential, so think about what experiences best showcase those traits.

• Outline – Give a brief description of the organisation, your role, and how it aligns with your academic and career goals.
• Responsibilities – List tasks like leading projects, conducting research, or mentoring peers.
• Achievements – Show off any measurable outcomes, such as the impact of a volunteer project or a successful internship. There should be enough numbers in your CV to make your past impact tangible.

The additional info section is an optional part of your Harvard CV, but it’s a valuable opportunity to show more of who you are. This section can include hobbies, languages, or awards that help admissions officers see why you’d be a great addition to their community.

Good additional info for Harvard