In answer to the original question, they provide a detailed overview here:
http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/prospective/
Harvard would be a cool school to attend. Some of the best and brightest faculty are there, the endowment, or so I’ve heard, rivals some not too small countries. Enrollment that’s about 90% competition based, so the student ranks are stuffed with excellent performers. Plus there is the access to kids of
very successful and influential folks. But I submit that Harvard is a far, faaaaar better choice for grad or PhD school than for an undergrad degree.
I looked at their History school and would be delighted at the opportunity to study there. The faculty has 10 profs who specialize in my fields. That is really rare. Anyone would take a couple of extra years just to enjoy the seminars…..
On the other hand, having gone to school already for a good while, my career has not been hindered or stunted from not only not going to Harvard but not even a name brand U.
If a parent can teach their child the joy of learning and achievement that is a great accomplishment. If they can do that and encourage their child to get a degree they are probably in the top 10 percent group, and if the parents can get the child to actually pay for school themselves, well, such spoken hopes are beyond mere mortals…………..Anyway, I’d say emphasize the love of learning and everything after that is building blocks. When you teach a child from an early age to enjoy learning you put the kid immeasurably ahead in life compared to if the kid has to learn it for them self later in life.