Strategies For International Students To Get Accepted At Harvard

Getting into Harvard is notoriously difficult, with an undergraduate acceptance rate of just 3.5%-5%. For international students, the process is even more complex, with additional requirements to be eligible for admission. However, Harvard welcomes students from around the world, and the admissions criteria are the same for international applicants as they are for US citizens. This guide will outline the steps international students need to take to gain admission to Harvard, including the required documentation, financial considerations, and the application process.

Application requirements

If you are applying to Harvard Business School, you are required to hold a college or university degree equivalent to a four-year American baccalaureate degree. All post-secondary educational institutions you have attended and received a degree from should be listed on the application form. When providing transcripts for the application, all course names must be translated into English.

Harvard requires applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores to meet the standardized testing requirement. In exceptional cases, one of the following can meet the requirement: AP, IB, GCSE, or National Leaving Exams. English language proficiency examinations such as the TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo cannot be used to meet the standardized testing requirement, but students are welcome to submit them for review as part of their application materials.

The application should also include a personal statement or essay. In your essays, respond to the prompts directly, and try to build a profound and compelling narrative about yourself. Make sure to relate everything back to your deeper motivations, explaining why you're passionate about your hobbies and interests, the challenges you've faced, and how you respond in difficult situations.

If you are applying for financial aid, you may need to submit additional documents, such as tax returns or statements of income.

Financial aid

As a non-US citizen, the financial aid application process for Harvard can seem overwhelming. However, Harvard's admissions and financial aid processes are the same for all applicants, regardless of nationality or citizenship. All applicants follow the same procedures and are eligible for the same financial aid.

Harvard has a need-blind application process for all students, meaning that students will not be disadvantaged in the undergraduate admissions process due to their financial need. The university promises to meet 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students, including foreign students.

To apply for financial aid, you will need to submit a CSS (College Scholarship Service) Profile and an IDOC (International Documentation Service) Packet. The CSS Profile can be filled out by signing in with your College Board account, which you may already have if you registered for the SAT. The College Board also has a page specifically for international students. The IDOC service collects and distributes family financial documents, such as proof of income and deductions, to the university. If your family owns businesses, farms, or lands, you may also be required to submit official documents about those assets.

Harvard offers full financial aid to students whose family income is below $85,000 per year. Financial aid covers tuition fees, food, housing, medical expenses, books, and supplies. Students are expected to cover a $3,500 personal expense per academic year, typically through work-study hours. Additionally, all students on financial aid have a travel allowance included in their award to help cover the cost of travel to and from Cambridge.

Standardised testing

Harvard University requires international applicants to submit standardised test scores as part of their application. The university accepts the SAT or ACT tests to meet this requirement. These tests are widely recognised and serve as a common metric for evaluating academic potential and readiness for college-level coursework. International students should plan to take either the SAT or ACT and aim for competitive scores to increase their chances of admission to Harvard.

English Language Proficiency:

International students whose native language is not English may also need to demonstrate English language proficiency. While exams like the TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo are not sufficient to meet the standardised testing requirement, Harvard welcomes applicants to submit these scores for review as part of their application materials. Strong English language proficiency scores can enhance an international student's application and demonstrate their ability to succeed in Harvard's academic environment, where English is the primary language of instruction.

Self-Reporting Test Scores:

Harvard allows students to self-report their standardised test scores. This means that students can submit their SAT or ACT scores directly without needing to request an official score report from the testing organisations. However, it is essential to provide accurate and honest self-reported scores, as any discrepancies may impact the application negatively.

Fee Waivers:

Standardised tests like the SAT and ACT typically come with a fee, but fee waivers are available for students facing financial hardships. Both the College Board (for the SAT) and ACT offer fee waivers for domestic students from low-income families. However, non-US citizens attending secondary schools outside the US are generally not eligible for these waivers. If financial constraints limit your ability to pay for the SAT or ACT, you can contact Harvard's Admissions Committee to discuss your options and explore potential solutions.

Additional Examinations:

International students applying to Harvard may also need to provide additional examination results. For instance, if you have taken Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), GCSE, or National Leaving Exams, you should submit those scores along with your SAT or ACT results. These additional examinations can showcase your academic strengths and provide a more comprehensive picture of your educational background.

In summary, international students applying to Harvard should familiarise themselves with the university's standardised testing requirements. They should plan to take the SAT or ACT and consider submitting additional examination results. Additionally, demonstrating strong English language proficiency can enhance their application. By meeting these standardised testing requirements, international applicants can take a significant step forward in their pursuit of admission to Harvard University.

Personal statement

A personal statement is a short essay that explains why you want to study at Harvard and why you're suited to your chosen program. It's your chance to prove you're a worthy applicant and showcase your interests, achievements, experience, and aspirations.

Grab the reader's attention from the outset: Start with a concise sentence that captures who you are and your motivation for studying at Harvard. Be enthusiastic and excited about the course you're applying for.

Demonstrate passion for your chosen field: Passion is key. If you can demonstrate a genuine interest and love for the subject you've chosen to study, your chances of being offered a place will increase. Talk about why you want to study this course and how it aligns with your long-term career goals.

Highlight your language skills: As an international student, your language skills are particularly important. Discuss your proficiency in English and any other relevant languages you speak. Be sure to mention any language proficiency tests you've taken, such as TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo.

Emphasize your work experience: Mention any internships, placements, or volunteer work you've completed, especially those related to your field of study. This will help you stand out and demonstrate your commitment to your chosen program.

Tailor your statement to Harvard: Review the university's website and course descriptions to understand the type of candidate they're seeking. Tailor your statement to match the skills and characteristics they value.

Provide specific details and examples: Support your claims with specific examples whenever possible. For instance, if you've had relevant work experience, explain the skills you developed and how they'll help you in your studies at Harvard.

Remember, it's important to be authentic and honest in your personal statement. While it's okay to look at examples online, don't copy or plagiarize. Focus on communicating your unique strengths and why you believe Harvard is the right fit for you.

Student visa

There are two types of student visas for studying in the United States: the F-1 student visa and the J-1 student visa. Most full-time international students at Harvard University are eligible for the F-1 visa, while only some are eligible for the J-1 student visa.

To apply for the F-1 visa, you need to visit a U.S. embassy or consulate and present a Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for F-1 Student Status), which is issued by Harvard University. You are expected to attend the educational institution that issued the Form I-20. Additionally, you must provide evidence of financial ability to study in the U.S. and compile documentation of guaranteed funding. This could include award letters for scholarships or fellowships, loans, loan certifications, or a sponsorship letter from an organisation. You will also need to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee, which covers the costs of updating the SEVIS system that the U.S. Government uses to maintain updated information on F and J visa holders.

For the J-1 student visa, you will need to complete Form DS-2019. The J-1 visa also requires an interview, for which you must complete the DS-160 online visa application form and pay the visa application processing fee. You will also need to provide financial documentation, such as an award letter of scholarship, fellowships, loans, loan certifications, or a sponsorship letter.

It is important to note that student visa sponsorship is only available for full-time, on-campus programs. Students enrolled in part-time or online-only programs are not eligible for F-1 or J-1 student visa sponsorship and are not permitted to enter the U.S. in a student visa status.

If you are an F-1 visa holder, you are eligible for a Social Security Number (SSN) when you provide evidence of employment. You will need to take your passport, Form I-20, Form I-94, the HIO Social Security letter, and your job offer letter to the Social Security Administration Office in Cambridge, MA.

For F-1 visa holders on CPT, you will need to take your passport, Form I-20 showing your authorized CPT, and Form I-94 to the Social Security Administration Office. You cannot apply for an SSN more than 30 days before CPT employment begins, and the process usually takes four to eight weeks.

F-2 visa status is intended for the spouse and/or children (under 21) of an F-1 student. It can be obtained by presenting a Form I-20 issued to each family member, proof of marriage or birth certificates, and evidence of adequate funding for accompanying family members. F-2 visa holders are not permitted to engage in paid employment.

Frequently asked questions