Savanna Hoffman
Getting into Harvard is a dream for many students, and for good reason. Harvard is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, and its reputation for academic excellence and innovation attracts the best and brightest students from across the globe. For international students, the application process can seem daunting, but with careful planning and a strong personal statement, it is possible to stand out from the crowd. So, what does it take to get into Harvard as an international student? Firstly, it is important to note that Harvard does not discriminate between international and domestic applicants; all applicants follow the same procedures and timetables and are eligible for the same financial aid. International students are expected to submit standardised test scores, such as the SAT or ACT, and may self-report these scores. Additionally, English language proficiency exams are required, and students are encouraged to build a strong extracurricular resume and take on challenging courses. Financial aid is available for international students, and Harvard meets each student's demonstrated financial need.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application requirements | The same for all applicants, regardless of nationality or citizenship |
| Application fee | Can be waived if it presents a financial hardship |
| Financial aid | The same for all applicants, regardless of nationality or citizenship |
| Standardized testing requirement | SAT or ACT |
| English language proficiency tests | TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo can be submitted for review but cannot be used to meet the standardized testing requirement |
| Personal statement/essay | Choose from the essay prompts on Common App or create your own narrative |
| Extracurricular activities | Should relate to your intended major and build a compelling narrative about yourself |
| Interviews | Conducted by Harvard alumni |
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What You'll Learn
Application requirements
The application requirements for international students are the same as those for students in the US. All applicants, regardless of nationality or citizenship, follow the same procedures and timetables and are eligible for the same financial aid.
All applicants must complete the Common Application or the Coalition Application, along with any required supplements. The Common Application opens on August 1, and the Coalition Application opens on August 15. There is no preference given to either application, and each is treated equally by the Admissions Committee.
In addition to the application, students must submit:
- Personal statement/essay: There are essay prompts available on the Common App, or you can choose to create your own narrative.
- Standardised test scores: Harvard accepts the SAT or ACT to meet the standardised testing requirement. In exceptional cases, English language proficiency examinations such as the TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo can be used to meet this requirement. Students may self-report their standardised test scores.
- Financial aid documents (if applicable): These may include tax return forms, statements of income, or non-filing of income tax. You may also be asked to set up a CSS profile.
- Extracurricular list, demographic profile, etc.: These can be filled out in the Common App or Coalition platform.
It is recommended that students take the most challenging courses available to them and perform well in them. Additionally, building a strong extracurricular resume through participation in clubs, sports, artistic pursuits, internships, research programs, and/or work experience is advantageous. Having a "spike", or one specific area in which you have achieved great things, is also beneficial.
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Financial aid
Harvard University has a need-blind admissions process for all students, irrespective of their citizenship or nationality. This means that students are not disadvantaged in the undergraduate admissions process due to their financial need. Harvard promises to meet 100% of the demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, including international students.
The financial aid application process is the same for all prospective students, regardless of citizenship or nationality. International students are required to submit a CSS Profile and an IDOC Packet. The CSS Profile can be filled out by signing in with a College Board account, which is the same account used for SAT registration. The College Board also has a page specifically designed to help international students.
Harvard offers various types of financial aid for international students, including scholarships, grants, and fellowships. International students are eligible to be considered for both need-based and scholarship HGSE aid, as well as University-wide Restricted Scholarships. Additionally, Harvard provides a travel allowance as part of the financial aid award to help cover the cost of travel to and from Cambridge.
It is important to note that international students must rely on significant personal resources and funding from their home country to meet the financial requirements for student visa certification. While financial aid may be available, it may not fully cover the cost of the academic program. International students must plan to have significant guaranteed personal resources to help meet these costs.
Harvard also offers millions of dollars in student funding for public service, research, international travel, and career opportunities. Additionally, there are on-campus job opportunities for international students, although U.S. Federal Work-Study positions are only available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
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Standardised testing
Harvard University accepts both the SAT and ACT tests to meet its standardised testing requirement for international students. In exceptional cases, where these tests are not accessible, students may meet the requirement using other forms of testing, such as AP, IB, GCSE, or National Leaving Exams. English language proficiency exams, such as the TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo, cannot be used to meet the standardised testing requirement, but students are welcome to submit their scores for review as part of their application.
Students may self-report their standardised test scores. If the cost of taking the SAT or ACT is a concern, it is worth noting that both the College Board and ACT provide fee waivers to some domestic students from low-income families. However, non-US citizens attending secondary schools outside the US are generally not eligible for these waivers. If applicants are ineligible for fee waivers but still face financial hardship, the Admissions Committee encourages them to reach out. Additionally, if the admissions application fee presents a hardship, a fee waiver can be requested directly through the Common Application or the Coalition Application. Requesting a fee waiver will not disadvantage an application in any way.
International students at Harvard come from a variety of backgrounds, and there is no single ideal applicant. The admissions committee takes into consideration academic achievements, extracurricular activities, personal qualities, and life experiences. It is recommended that applicants take the most challenging courses available to them and perform well in them. Building a strong extracurricular profile is also important, and applicants should ideally have a "'spike'", or a specific area in which they have achieved great things, along with a couple of other activities.
In addition to standardised testing, international students applying to Harvard will need to submit various other application components, including financial aid documents, personal statements or essays, and demographic profiles. It is recommended to start planning for college applications as early as possible, ideally during the spring of junior year in high school.
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Personal statement
When writing your personal statement, it's important to remember that Harvard does not have different requirements for international students. All applicants are considered equally, regardless of nationality or citizenship, and there are no quotas or limits based on citizenship or location. The application requirements are the same for all applicants, whether they attend high school inside or outside the US.
Harvard's admissions committee is keen to get to know the person behind the numbers. They want to learn about your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, personal qualities, and life experiences. They want to understand who you are as a person and what motivates you.
Your personal statement should be a profound and compelling narrative about yourself. Show, don't just tell. Instead of merely stating facts, relate everything back to your deeper motivations. Explain why you're passionate about your hobbies and interests, what challenges you've faced and how you've overcome them, how you respond in difficult situations, and what you hope to pursue in college and why.
If you have a particular spike or area of interest, such as computer science, violin performance, or medical research, make sure to mention it. It's also beneficial to have a couple of extracurricular activities related to your intended major. For example, if you want to study engineering, you could co-found a non-profit that offers digital education workshops and mentorship to students.
Don't forget to include your reasons for wanting to attend Harvard specifically. Be honest and authentic, and let your unique personality shine through.
Remember to start planning your application early, and consider reaching out to an EducationUSA office near you for advice and support.
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Extracurricular activities
Harvard places a lot of importance on extracurricular activities as part of your application. The admissions team wants to see students who are exceptional, passionate, and well-rounded, with a breadth of interests outside of the classroom.
There is no right or wrong extracurricular activity, and it's best to build your extracurriculars upon your true interests. For example, coding for Computer Science students or 3D modelling for Architecture Technology students. It could be anything from creative writing to swimming to theatrics to cooking to cinematography, as long as it shows some exceptional talent or achievement.
Harvard looks for impact, not just participation. They want to see how you've made a difference in your school or community through extracurricular activities. This could be through community service and local outreach, such as volunteering with NGOs, organising cleanups, or running awareness campaigns. Participation in academic competitions or Olympiads, such as the International Math Olympiad, Model UN, or science fairs, also demonstrates curiosity and drive.
Initiating creative or entrepreneurial projects is another way to stand out. This could include starting a YouTube channel, launching a startup, or leading a school club. These projects demonstrate your initiative, leadership, and the ability to pursue your passions.
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Frequently asked questions
The application requirements are the same for all applicants, regardless of nationality or citizenship. All applicants must complete the Common Application or the Coalition Application, along with the required supplements.
Harvard offers financial aid to all students based on financial need, regardless of nationality or citizenship. To apply for financial aid, students can follow the regular process, using the CSS Profile and submitting additional documents through iDoc.
Harvard accepts the SAT or ACT to meet the standardized testing requirement. In exceptional cases, English language proficiency examinations such as the TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo can be used to meet this requirement.
In your personal statement/essay, it is important to respond to the prompts directly and build a profound and compelling narrative about yourself. Relate everything back to your deeper motivations, explaining why you are passionate about your hobbies and interests, and how you have overcome challenges.
It is recommended to build a strong extracurricular resume through participation in clubs, sports, artistic pursuits, internships, research programs, and/or work experience. Ideally, you will have a "spike," or one specific area in which you have achieved great things, along with a couple of other activities related to your intended major.
