Overview
Harvard University is a extremely selective private four-year institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school accepts 3.2% of applicants and enrolls 7,755 students.
Admission Statistics
- Acceptance Rate
- 3.2%
- Average SAT
- 1,535
- SAT Range (25th–75th)
- 1,490–1,580
- ACT Composite (avg)
- 35
- Total Enrollment
- 7,755
Your Chances by SAT Score
Your score is above the 75th percentile. You are a competitive applicant.
Your score falls within the middle 50% of admitted students.
Your score is below the 25th percentile. Other parts of your application will need to stand out.
Admission Guide
Harvard's admissions committee reads every application with the same question: what will this person add to our community that no one else can? Your test scores and grades get you considered, but your voice and perspective determine your admission.
The biggest difference between Harvard and its peer schools is the house system. After your first year, you join one of twelve residential houses that become your home base for the remaining three years. Reference this in your essays by explaining how you'd contribute to a tight-knit community within the larger university. Admissions officers want to see that you understand Harvard isn't just about individual achievement.
Your supplemental essays matter more here than at most schools. The "What would you want your college roommate to know about you?" prompt isn't asking for cute anecdotes. Use it to reveal something authentic about your character. The academic interest essay should connect to specific professors, research opportunities, or the unique flexibility of Harvard's curriculum that lets you design your own concentration.
Don't write about wanting to change the world or cure cancer unless you've already started. Harvard admits doers, not dreamers. Your extracurriculars should show sustained commitment and real impact, whether that's starting a business, conducting original research, or leading a community organization.
Many applicants assume Harvard only wants future doctors, lawyers, and investment bankers. Actually, the college actively recruits students interested in less common paths. If you're passionate about folklore, linguistics, or Sanskrit, Harvard has world-class programs that might give you an edge over the thousandth pre-med applicant.
Harvard uses restrictive early action, meaning you can apply early here but nowhere else early. This doesn't provide the same admission boost as binding early decision programs, but it does let you demonstrate that Harvard is your clear first choice. Your application competes against the entire early pool, which includes recruited athletes and legacy candidates, so don't assume early gives you better odds.
Focus on intellectual curiosity over resume padding. Harvard wants students who ask questions that don't have obvious answers and pursue learning for its own sake, not just for college admission.
What It Costs If You Get In
- Average Net Price
- $16,816/yr
- Tuition (in-state)
- $59,076
- Students Receiving Aid
- 16%
After You Graduate
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 97.3%
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $101,817/yr
- Freshman Retention Rate
- 98.6%
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Harvard University require standardized test scores for admission?
Harvard has extended its test-optional policy through the 2026 admissions cycle. Students can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application.
Does Harvard University offer Early Decision or Early Action?
Harvard offers Restrictive Early Action with a November 1 deadline. This program is non-binding but restricts students from applying early to other private colleges.
Can you transfer to Harvard University from another college?
Harvard accepts transfer applications from students who have completed at least one full academic year at another college. Transfer admission is highly competitive with very few spots available each year.
What is the application deadline for Harvard University?
Harvard's regular decision deadline is January 1. The Restrictive Early Action deadline is November 1 for students seeking early admission consideration.