Learning and practical ability: the ability of students is very important to American admissions officers, which is different at home. Of course, with the development of internationalization, this phenomenon has improved slightly, but it is still far from the requirements of Americans. What Americans need to see is not nerds who can only read, but students who can closely link theory with practice and skillfully apply the knowledge in textbooks to practice, which is why American undergraduates attach importance to extracurricular activities.
Of course, as can be seen from the above table, GPA, difficulty of middle school courses, standardized tests, class rankings, papers, letters of recommendation, etc. They all account for a high proportion, but it reflects the academic ability of students, which is self-evident. Imagine how to get into the top universities in the world without a high and excellent knowledge reserve. The following extracurricular activities, voluntary work, work experience and so on are all practical abilities.
Vigor or motivation: This is mostly reflected in ESSAY or PS. The school will ask students a question: Why?
Why Harvard?
Why does Harvard want you to be better than others?
Why choose XX major?
What's your goal?
How do you plan to finish your studies better?
Do you have any higher pursuit or requirements for your future?
Hobbies: American universities, especially Harvard, want to recruit what we call "all-round development of morality, intelligence, physique and beauty". Not only learning, such as playing basketball, guzheng and erhu, winning several prizes in international modeling or mathematics competitions, XX patents and so on. All of them are advantages in the eyes of admissions officers and part of enriching campus multiculturalism.
These are the most important things for Harvard university admissions officers. It's also what you have to tell the admissions officer that you are different. What value can your joining bring to Harvard? And convince the admissions officer that you are suitable for Harvard.
The following is part of the information I extracted from official website of Harvard University for your reference:
(1) potential and potential
Have you brought your academic and personal potential into full play?
Do you have greater development potential?
Have you explored greater abilities in study, work or other fields?
Do you have more ability to do more things?
How do you spend your time?
Do you have initiative? What is your motivation?
Do you have a clear direction now? What is this? If not, do you want to find out?
Where will you be in a year, five years or 25 years? Will you make some efforts for it now?
What kind of person are you now? What do you want to be in the future?
(2) Interests and activities.
Do you care about everything? Extracurricular activities? Personal?
What can you get from your hobby? What efforts have you made for this? What was the result? What are the successes or failures? What did you learn from it?
Do you try your best in extracurricular activities, track and field, club activities, family activities or leadership activities?
How about the quality of your activities? Do you have real leadership skills?
If you don't have time and energy to do extracurricular activities in high school because of study and other reasons, what do you expect to do with the extra time at Harvard?
(3) Character and personality.
What choices have you made and why?
Are you a late bloomer?
How open are you to new ideas and strangers?
What is your maturity, personality, leadership, self-confidence, sense of humor, vitality and attention?
(4) Harvard's contribution to the Harvard community.
Can you balance the pressure and freedom in school?
What can you bring to Harvard and your classmates? What can you get from Harvard research?
Is anyone willing to live, eat and have classes with you?