Lana Oconnell
Harvard University is one of the most prestigious and selective universities in the world. With an acceptance rate of just 3.2% for the class of 2023, gaining admission is notoriously competitive and difficult. Harvard requires applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and transcripts. While academic accomplishment is important, Harvard's Admissions Committee considers many other factors, including strong personal qualities, special talents, perspectives formed by unusual personal circumstances, and the ability to take advantage of available resources and opportunities. Applicants are encouraged to submit supplementary materials, such as music recordings, artwork, or academic work samples, to showcase their exceptional talents and achievements. The university also accepts the Common Application and the Coalition Application, with an option to waive the application fee for those facing financial hardship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application fee | Can be waived in cases of financial hardship |
| Application deadline | November 1 for Restrictive Early Action and January 1 for Regular Decision |
| Application process | Common Application or Coalition Application |
| Application requirements | Transcript, teacher recommendations, test scores, school reports, essays, letters of recommendation, extracurricular achievements |
| Test scores | SAT or ACT required; in exceptional cases, AP, IB, GCSE, or National Leaving Exam scores are accepted |
| Minimum SAT score | 1580 |
| Minimum ACT score | 36 |
| Minimum GPA | 4.2 |
| Academic subjects | Math, statistics, computer science, calculus, other advanced math subjects |
| Additional considerations | Strong personal qualities, special talents, perspectives formed by unusual personal circumstances, ability to take advantage of available resources and opportunities |
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SAT/ACT scores
Harvard University requires applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores to meet its standardised testing requirement. The university will consider applicants' highest scores and will not superscore across multiple attempts. The 25th percentile SAT score for Harvard is 1460, meaning that 25% of applicants score below 1460. The 75th percentile score is 1570, meaning that 75% of applicants score below 1570. The average Harvard SAT score is 1515. The 25th and 75th percentile scores for individual SAT sections are 750 and 880, respectively, and for EBRW, they are 710 and 770, respectively.
Harvard does not have any score cutoffs and does not admit "by the numbers". The university takes into account applicants' educational background when reviewing their scores. In exceptional cases, where applicants are unable to take the SAT or ACT due to financial or accessibility reasons, other forms of testing may be considered, such as AP, IB, GCSE, or National Leaving Exams. Applicants may also be eligible for SAT or ACT fee waivers if they are domestic students from low-income families.
While academic accomplishment is important, the Admissions Committee considers many other factors, including strong personal qualities, special talents or excellences, perspectives formed by unusual personal circumstances, and the ability to take advantage of available resources and opportunities.
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Personal qualities
Harvard University is an extremely selective school with a rigorous admissions process. While academic accomplishment is important, the Admissions Committee considers many other factors, including strong personal qualities.
Harvard seeks promising students who will contribute to the Harvard community during their college years and to society throughout their lives. The university strives to enrol a diverse student body and is committed to making the application process accessible for all students.
In addition to academic preparation, Harvard looks for students with well-rounded interests and extracurricular achievements. These may include exceptional talents or achievements in areas such as music, art, athletics, or community service. The Admissions Committee allows applicants to submit supplementary materials, such as music recordings, artwork, or academic work samples, to showcase their unique talents and accomplishments.
Harvard also considers an applicant's ability to take advantage of available resources and opportunities. This includes making the most of educational resources, such as taking challenging courses and seeking out learning opportunities beyond the classroom. Demonstrating resilience and a growth mindset in the face of adversity or unusual personal circumstances can also showcase an applicant's personal qualities and ability to persevere.
While there is no single academic path that guarantees admission to Harvard, the university provides guidance to help students make choices that will enhance their college applications. This includes taking courses that align with their interests and goals, as well as pursuing extracurricular activities that develop their talents and interests outside of the classroom.
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Achievements
Harvard University is a highly selective institution, and applicants must meet certain academic requirements to be considered for admission. While academic accomplishment is an important factor in the admissions process, Harvard's Admissions Committee takes a holistic approach and considers various other factors, including strong personal qualities, special talents or achievements, and unique perspectives formed by unusual personal circumstances.
When it comes to achievements, Harvard looks for students who have excelled in academically demanding courses during their high school years. They recommend that applicants take four years of rigorous mathematics courses, including computer science, statistics, mathematical modelling, calculus, and other advanced math subjects. The average GPA for Harvard students is 4.2, so applicants need to strive for near-perfect grades in their classes to be competitive.
In addition to academic performance, Harvard values extracurricular achievements. Applicants should aim to develop exceptional extracurricular profiles, which can include participation in clubs, sports, volunteer work, internships, or other activities that demonstrate their abilities and commitment outside of the classroom.
Harvard also accepts supplementary materials, such as music recordings, artwork, or selected samples of academic work, for the Admissions Committee's evaluation. These materials are entirely optional but provide applicants with an opportunity to showcase their unique talents and accomplishments that may not be fully captured in the standard application.
Furthermore, Harvard encourages applicants to take challenging courses that align with their interests and goals. For example, students intending to study engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, or statistics may benefit from taking calculus in high school, although it is not a requirement. Harvard values applicants who demonstrate a passion for learning and the ability to excel in their chosen fields.
It is important to note that Harvard does not offer an advantage to students who apply early. The admissions process is highly competitive, and applicants should focus on presenting a strong application package that highlights their academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and unique talents.
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Application fees
It is important to note that application fees are non-refundable, and Harvard will not accept multiple applications to the same degree programme in a single year. Applicants are advised to carefully review the requirements and plan their applications early to avoid the need for resubmission. The application fee can be paid online through the Common Application or Coalition Application platforms, which are independently operated. Alternatively, applicants can send a cheque drawn on a US bank in US dollars to Harvard College Admissions.
Harvard also requires applicants to submit either SAT or ACT scores, which incur additional costs. The SAT costs $55, while the ACT costs $60 without writing and $85 with writing. These standardised test fees can be a significant expense, especially when combined with application fees. However, fee waivers are available for eligible students, and Harvard accepts other standardised test results if applicants lack access to the SAT or ACT. This flexibility ensures that applicants from diverse economic backgrounds can demonstrate their academic qualifications without being disadvantaged by financial constraints.
Additionally, applicants should be aware of other potential expenses associated with the admissions process. The CSS Profile, required for financial aid consideration, costs $25 for the first college and $16 for each additional college. Travel expenses for campus visits, while not mandatory, can also accumulate, depending on an applicant's location and the number of colleges visited. Optional services like private admissions counselling and test prep courses can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, but free or low-cost alternatives are available.
In conclusion, the application fees and associated costs of applying to Harvard University can vary depending on an applicant's circumstances. While the standard application fee is $75, fee waivers are available for those facing financial challenges. Additional expenses, such as standardised test fees and travel costs, should also be considered. Applicants are encouraged to research fee waivers, save on test prep resources, and explore each college's policies to make informed decisions and potentially reduce the overall financial burden of the admissions process.
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Deadlines
Restrictive Early Action
The deadline for the Restrictive Early Action program is November 1. Applicants who choose this route will receive a notification by mid-December. This option allows students to compare admission and financial aid offers from other institutions and make a final college choice by May 1. Additionally, for the Restrictive Early Action program, it is recommended that applicants submit their SAT and ACT test scores by the end of October, although the November series can be submitted if necessary.
Regular Decision
The Regular Decision program has a deadline of January 1, and applicants are notified by the end of March. Similar to the Restrictive Early Action program, students have until May 1 to make their final college choice. For the Regular Decision route, while it is possible to submit SAT and ACT test scores from tests taken as late as February, it is recommended to submit these scores as early as possible.
It is worth noting that Harvard University does not offer an advantage to students who apply early. The higher admit rates for the Restrictive Early Action program reflect the strength of the applicant pool rather than providing any benefit based on application timing.
Additional Deadlines
In addition to the primary application deadlines, there are other important dates to consider. For graduate and PhD programs, each program has a different application deadline. International students, in particular, must submit their applications by the specified deadline for their chosen undergraduate program, as all undergraduate programs share the same deadline.
Furthermore, students who have completed at least one but not more than two continuous academic years in a full-time program may apply to transfer to Harvard, and the university also offers a Visiting Undergraduate Students (VUS) Program that allows students from colleges around the world to spend a semester or year at Harvard.
Application Requirements
Harvard University considers various factors in its admissions decisions, including academic accomplishment, community involvement, leadership in extracurricular activities, personal qualities, and character. Applicants are required to submit teacher recommendations, test scores (SAT or ACT), and school reports. While there is no strict minimum GPA, competitive applicants typically have a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and international applicants are advised to aim for a GPA between 3.7 and 3.9.
Harvard also accepts applications through the Common Application or the Coalition Application. High school counsellors may submit supporting materials up to a week after the deadline if necessary.
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Frequently asked questions
Harvard requires applicants to submit their high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Harvard also requires SAT or ACT scores, although in exceptional cases, students facing challenges in paying for or accessing a test site may be exempt from this requirement. Harvard does not superscore SAT or ACT results, instead, they consider the highest scores received on each section of the SAT on different test dates or the highest composite ACT score. Harvard also requires letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews.
Harvard is an extremely selective university, with an admissions rate of just 3.2% for the class of 2023. Harvard considers academic accomplishment to be important, but the Admissions Committee also takes into account many other factors, including strong personal qualities, special talents or excellence in other areas, perspectives formed by unusual personal circumstances, and the ability to take advantage of available resources and opportunities.
The deadlines for Harvard applications are November 1 for Restrictive Early Action and January 1 for Regular Decision.
Harvard is committed to making the application process accessible for all students. If the admissions application fee presents a financial hardship, it will be waived. Harvard will also meet the full financial need of admitted students, regardless of whether they apply through Restrictive Early Action or Regular Decision.
