When it comes to getting into Harvard, it’s a hypercompetitive jungle out there. Do you really want to know what it will take for your child to make the grade? Then read on. But be warned: Raising a Harvard-ready child requires planning, determination, discipline—and a lot of money.
A Sporting Chance
(6th grade, ages 11-12)
Vacations can no longer be wasted on visits with grandparents or lazy days at the beach. Parents should book high-concept adventure and educational trips to exotic locales such as Kenya or Vietnam. For $15,600, Lindblad Expeditions offers families a cruise around the Galapagos Islands, where children can participate in an Equator-crossing party. For $12,200, they can ride bikes in Thailand, thanks to a program offered by Backroads. Traditional sports may be fun, but they’re only helpful if awards and leadership positions result. Children who can’t compete at the highest level in these sports should turn to offbeat activities such as rock climbing, fencing, or cricket to help them stand out from the crowd. As for summer, forget about Camp North Star, with its sing-alongs and marshmallow roasts. The point of camp is to hone unusual skills such as magic, search-and-rescue wilderness training, and the circus arts.
Vanitas
Most Likely to Exceed
Square
Talking Out of SchoolShots in the Dark
Should Harvard Be Free?Shots in the Dark
Harvard's Wealth Un-levels the Playing FieldShots in the Dark
Harvard Shares the Wealth
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