Lana Oconnell
Harvard University is a dream school for many Chinese students, but the obstacles to entry are daunting. In 2020, there were approximately 1,378 Chinese students at Harvard, out of a total of 6,963 international students on campus. The university has a long history of commitment to the study of China and learning from Chinese scholars, dating back to the founding of the Harvard-Yenching Institute in 1928. Today, Harvard houses the largest collection of East Asian materials outside of Asia and is considered the premier centre for the study of China in the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Chinese students at Harvard in 2020 | 1,378 |
| Number of international students in the US in 2020 | 1,159,798 |
| Number of international students at Harvard | 6,963 |
| Number of Chinese undergraduates at Harvard | 36 |
| Number of Chinese students accepted for the upcoming freshman class | At least 9 |
| Number of Canadian students at Harvard in 2020 | 773 |
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What You'll Learn
Popularity of Harvard among Chinese students
Harvard University is a popular destination for Chinese international students. In 2020, Harvard was home to approximately 1,378 Chinese students out of a total of 398,041 Chinese students who came to the US for higher education. The number of Chinese international students at Harvard and other top US universities climbed by a third over four years, with a 33% rise from 2018 to 2022 levels.
Harvard is like the "Mecca of higher education" for Chinese students, who view it as the greatest university in the world, worth travelling thousands of miles to visit. The university's reputation for providing a quality educational experience to Chinese students makes it an attractive option. In fact, there are nearly a dozen books in Chinese that advise students on getting into Harvard, such as "You Too Can Go to Harvard: Secrets of Getting into Famous U.S. Universities" and "Harvard Girl". These books cater to the aspirations of wealthy Chinese families who are willing to pay large sums for supplemental classes to increase their child's chances of gaining admission to an Ivy League school.
The desire to attend top American universities like Harvard is driven not only by prestige but also by the unique aspects of US higher education. Chinese students appreciate the opportunity to explore different pursuits before choosing a major, interact with professors, and engage in more open intellectual debates. They also value the need-blind financial aid policies and holistic admission processes of US universities, which differ from the highly competitive and exam-focused nature of the Chinese education system.
Despite the challenges of gaining admission to Harvard, Chinese students and their parents remain attracted to the university's reputation, academic flexibility, and financial aid opportunities. This popularity has contributed to the increasing number of Chinese students at Harvard and other elite US institutions.
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Number of Chinese students at Harvard
Harvard University is a popular choice for Chinese students, with the institution offering a range of specialist courses and scholarships for Chinese applicants. In 2020, Harvard was home to approximately 1,378 Chinese students, out of a total of 398,041 Chinese students in the US. This makes Harvard the 65th most popular college or university in the US for students from China.
Harvard has a long history of welcoming Chinese students and scholars. The first Chinese language instructor at Harvard University was Ge Kunhua, who taught from 1838 to 1882. The university's commitment to the study of China has grown over the years, with the establishment of the Harvard-Yenching Institute in 1928, which now offers doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships for study and research at East Asian and Southeast Asian universities. The Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, founded in 1955, is considered the premier centre for the study of China in the United States. Harvard also has the greatest concentration of specialists in Chinese studies in the country.
Harvard is a popular choice for wealthy Chinese families, who are willing to pay large sums of money to give their children the best chance of gaining admission to the prestigious Ivy League school. Consulting firms in China offer expensive services to help students with their English, SAT preparation, university applications, and extracurricular activities.
Harvard University does not currently provide a breakdown of the number of Chinese students enrolled in graduate and undergraduate programmes. However, one source from the Los Angeles Times states that there are 36 Chinese undergraduates at Harvard, with a much larger number of Chinese graduate students.
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Harvard's ranking for providing value to Chinese students
Harvard University is a popular choice for students from around the world, with a total of 6,963 international students on campus in 2020, out of a total of 30,391 students. In the same year, 1,378 Chinese students were enrolled at Harvard, out of 398,041 Chinese students who came to the US to study.
College Factual ranks Harvard 759th out of 820 colleges and universities for providing value to Chinese students. While this rank is relatively low, Harvard is ranked 27th best out of 842 institutions for providing a quality educational experience to Chinese students. This indicates that while there may be other factors at play when it comes to value, the quality of education provided by Harvard is recognised.
Harvard's ranking for providing value to international students varies depending on the country of origin. For instance, the university is ranked 2nd for providing value to students from the UK, 4th for Canadians, and 29th for Indian students. These rankings are based on a variety of factors, including the quality of education, cost, and other factors that contribute to the overall value of the degree.
Harvard University has consistently been ranked as the most prestigious university in Times Higher Education's World Reputation Rankings for 13 consecutive years. This ranking is based on the judgement of senior published academics and gives students and alumni an advantage in the global job market. The university's brand and reputation are powerful indicators of its value, and its position at the top of the rankings demonstrates its global recognition and prestige.
In summary, while Harvard University's ranking for providing value specifically to Chinese students may not be as high as for other countries, its overall reputation as a prestigious institution, the quality of education it provides, and its global brand recognition contribute to its appeal for international students, including those from China.
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Obstacles Chinese students face when applying to Harvard
Harvard University is a popular choice for Chinese students, with approximately 1,378 Chinese students enrolled in 2020 out of a total of 398,041 Chinese students who came to the US that year. However, Chinese students face several obstacles when applying to Harvard and other US universities. One of the primary challenges is the English language requirement. Successful applicants to Harvard need to speak perfect English, which can be difficult for students who have not spent time abroad or taken supplemental classes. Consulting firms that help students prepare for the SATs and application process charge up to $300,000 for five years of classes, targeting wealthy families.
Visa restrictions present another significant obstacle for Chinese students aspiring to study in the US. In 2020, the State Department revoked more than 1,000 visas of Chinese nationals with ties to the People's Liberation Army, citing fears of intellectual property and technology theft. These restrictions have heightened fears among Chinese students that they will face increased visa scrutiny, particularly if they major in STEM fields. The political and cultural climate in the US, including the Trump administration's xenophobic rhetoric, has also made Chinese families concerned about whether the country remains welcoming to international students.
In addition to these external factors, Chinese students face internal pressures from their ambitious parents, who often desire for their children to attend elite US universities like Harvard. While some parents take a strict approach to their children's education, others opt for a more balanced method that fosters their child's sense of responsibility and freedom. The competition among Chinese students to secure admission to US universities is intense, with consulting firms acknowledging that they cannot guarantee acceptance to Ivy League schools despite their best efforts.
The COVID-19 pandemic may have also impacted the number of Chinese students applying to Harvard and other US universities. A June 2020 study found that 36% of Chinese high school students had abandoned their plans to study in the US altogether. This trend could result in a significant decline in Chinese applications to US colleges in the coming years, as predicted by Frances Zhang, dean of college counselling at WLSA Shanghai Academy. The pandemic, coupled with the political and visa-related concerns, has created a sense of uncertainty for Chinese students considering higher education in the United States.
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History of China at Harvard
Harvard University has a long history of intellectual engagement with China. In 1879, a scholar from Ningbo named Ge Kunhua became Harvard College’s first instructor in Mandarin Chinese. The books he brought from China were Harvard’s first books in an Asian language, and they formed the core of what is today the million-volume collection of the Harvard-Yenching Library. The Harvard-Yenching Library is the largest academic library for East Asian research outside of Asia.
In 1880, Ding Chongji, also from the Ningbo area, became the first Chinese student to enrol at Harvard. By 1908, the number of Chinese students had grown, and they formed a Chinese Students Club. Between 1909 and 1929, about 250 Chinese students earned Harvard degrees. Nearly half became professors, and more than a dozen became university presidents in China. Graduates also built careers as writers, mathematicians, climatologists, and leaders in medicine, banking, and diplomacy.
Harvard’s commitment to the study of China, and to learning both from and with Chinese scholars, has steadily grown over the years. The Harvard-Yenching Institute, founded in 1928, supported the development of what is today Harvard’s Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations. The Institute offers doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships for study and research at East Asian and Southeast Asian universities.
Harvard’s Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, founded in 1955, is named after John K. Fairbank, Harvard’s professor of modern Chinese history. Fairbank raised the quality of Western studies of East Asia and, through his students, effected the widespread integration of Chinese studies into the American university curriculum. Today, many consider the Fairbank Center to be the premier centre for the study of China in the United States.
Harvard University is a popular destination for Chinese students, with approximately 1,378 Chinese students enrolled in 2020. The university ranks 65th out of 1,079 colleges and universities for popularity with students from China. The number of Chinese students interested in American universities has skyrocketed, and Harvard is seen as the "Mecca of higher education".
Harvard has the greatest concentration of specialists in Chinese studies in the United States and continues to promote a deeper understanding of China through its various institutions, including the Fairbank Center, the Harvard-Yenching Institute and Library, and the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations.
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Frequently asked questions
There were approximately 1,378 Chinese students at Harvard University in 2020.
There were approximately 6,963 international students at Harvard University in 2020.
Harvard ranks 65th out of 1,079 colleges and universities for popularity with students from China.
The Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard is home to over 2,000 students and scholars, and a further 2,500 alumni, from Greater China.
