If you’re curious about what the Harvard Acceptance Rate is, the article presents a detailed guide on the Harvard University admission exercise.
Gaining admission to Harvard University is a cherished aspiration for numerous individuals. Prospective students aiming to join this prestigious institution need to invest time in familiarizing themselves with the university, its culture, and the application process.
This article has been meticulously composed to provide comprehensive details about the acceptance rate at Harvard University. It aims to offer a clear depiction of the process one undertakes to become a member of this highly esteemed educational establishment.
===>Name : Harvard University
===>Location : Cambridge, MA
===>Founded : 1636
===>Acceptance Rate : 4.6% (2020-2021)
===>Enrollment : 6,710 undergraduates, 20,324 students in total (Approximately)
===>Average Tuition Fee : $48,949
===>Average Financial Aid Award : $50,562
===>Approximate SAT Score Accepted : 2235 (class of 2020), roughly equivalent to 1530 on the new SAT
Contents
What Is Harvard Acceptance Rate
For the academic year 2022-2023, the current admission rate at Harvard stands at 4%. Renowned for its high level of competitiveness, Harvard University is recognized as one of the most challenging institutions to secure admission to within the United States. Its application procedure, prerequisites, and involvement in extracurricular activities are famously demanding.
The Harvard University admissions department meticulously evaluates and assesses the finest and most meritorious applicants, taking into account diverse criteria such as academic performance, volunteer commitments, extracurricular engagements, personal statements, and recommendation letters.
To successfully gain entry into the university, students need to dedicate effort to crafting an application that distinguishes them from the rest.
Harvard Acceptance Rate For UG Level
Annually, Harvard receives approximately 40,000 applications for its restricted number of spots in the undergraduate program. Back in 2017, the institution extended offers to 5.2% of the applicants.
Subsequently, the acceptance rate has witnessed a gradual decline each year due to the surge in the volume of applicants. As a highly esteemed global university, the competition for admission is intense, as individuals from various corners of the globe vie for a limited number of available positions.
Harvard University Acceptance Rate For PG Level
Harvard University currently has an enrollment exceeding 22,000 students, with a significant portion, around 15,250, engaged in graduate and professional studies initiatives. When considering its admission rate of 3.1%, Harvard faces formidable competition within the realm of PhD and other specialized professional courses. Each year, nearly 5% of its student body in post-graduate programs consists of international scholars.
Harvard University Rankings
The rankings of Harvard University by certain ranking authorities are given below
| ARWU (Shanghai) Rankings 2022 | 1 |
| QS 2024 | 4 |
| THE Rankings 2023 | 2 |
Eligibility CriteriaÂ
Before delving into the Harvard acceptance rate, gaining an understanding of the eligibility criteria holds significant value. Prospective students aiming to enroll in any Harvard course must fulfill specific prerequisites. The requirements that a potential applicant must satisfy to secure a position at the university are outlined below:
- Meeting the GPA requirements and obtaining satisfactory SAT/ACT scores is obligatory, as these scores showcase the academic aptitude of the aspiring student.
- For undergraduate programs, achieving a minimum of 80% marks in the 12th-grade board examination is crucial to establish a competitive advantage.
- The evaluation of applications also takes into account a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) and a Statement of Purpose (SOP).
- International students are required to undertake an English proficiency test such as the standardized IELTS, TOEFL, etc., to demonstrate their proficiency in the language.
- Maintaining a GPA of 4.18 is expected at Harvard, positioning you as a top performer among your peers. Additionally, engaging in online classes, specifically AP or IB courses, indicates a mastery of school-level academics.
- If your GPA falls at or below the 4.18 benchmark, compensating with higher SAT or ACT scores becomes essential. This strategy aids in effectively competing against other candidates who boast higher GPAs than yours.
Recommended Scores
Here are the recommended scores per field-
SAT Requirements
GPA Requirements
Possessing a robust academic profile holds utmost significance in maintaining your eligibility for Harvard. It’s crucial to recognize that the competition at Harvard is exceedingly intense, making it advantageous to rank among the top performers in your class, thus enhancing your prospects.
Numerous Harvard schools set forth a baseline GPA prerequisite. While this standard isn’t exceedingly elevated, it represents the fundamental requirement that, if unmet, could result in the dismissal of your application.
The average GPA for Harvard is 4.18.
Possessing a lower GPA does not automatically eliminate your chances of being accepted into Harvard. Should your GPA fall below expectations, it’s imperative to ensure that the other aspects of your application are exceptionally impressive. A notable SAT or ACT score can also serve as a distinguishing factor and potentially offset the impact of a lower GPA.
How to Get into Harvard University?
Although Harvard doesn’t adhere to a fixed GPA requirement for admission, it maintains rigorous evaluation standards for its prospective students. Those granted admission to the university exhibit exceptional qualifications and attain remarkably high scores.
While grades hold significance within a student’s application, they are not the exclusive evaluative criteria. Extracurricular involvements, accomplishments, and practical experiences all contribute to the student’s profile, which is thoroughly assessed by the university. The application process for international students at Harvard commences on January 1.
Expect to receive notification regarding your selection status by late March. If you’re chosen, you’ll have until May to decide whether to accept the offer or not.
Application Tips
Knowing about the Harvard acceptance rate can be unnerving, but nothing is impossible if one has the urge to work towards it. Here are a few tips to assist you with upgrading your application to make it into Harvard University and achieving your dream of learning from the best!
- Prepare for the examinations needed for admission well and play to your strengths to increase your grades
- Write an SOP that is original, to you and expresses your vision.
- Have a clear record of all your scholarly achievements and transcripts.
- Discover all the opportunities and pick the one you think you are best suited for
- Complete the application process carefully and recheck to remove any errors
Documents Required for Harvard University
- A general university application
- Complete Harvard’s supplemental essays
- SAT or ACT test scores, with or without the writing section
- At least two SAT Subject Tests
- Any AP, IB, or other scores from standardized exams you have taken
- Two letters of recommendation from teachers
- A school report and letter of recommendation from your counsellor
- High School Transcript
- $75 application fee or a fee waiver
- A midyear report
Popular Schools at Harvard University
Having knowledge of Harvard University’s acceptance rate alone is insufficient to realize your aspiration of studying there. Harvard comprises numerous schools that offer diverse fields of education. Prospective students must possess a comprehensive understanding of the university’s structure and constituent schools. The following list outlines Harvard University’s primary schools.
- Department of Economics
- School of Astronomy
- Graduate School of Design
- Faculty of Arts and Science
- School of Dental Medicine
- Harvard Law School
- Harvard Business School
- Harvard Medical School
- Harvard Divinity School
Tuition Fees at Harvard University
The fee structure varies according to the programme and course. The table below shows the university’s estimate of tuition fees for international students.
What Does Harvard University Look For In An Application?
If you’re wondering how to get into Harvard University, you should also focus on developing an overall varied profile with a strong emphasis on extracurricular activities and volunteer work. These should emphasise four points:
- Growth and Potential: The admissions officers want to see if you’ve been pushing yourself to reach your full potential.
- Interests and Activities: They want to know about your passion, learning, leadership skills, and dedication.
- Personal Character: The university is interested in your choices, openness to new ideas, and personal characteristics such as maturity, self-confidence, and care for others.
- Community Service: Harvard seeks individuals who can manage various areas of undergraduate life, contribute to the Harvard community, and perform under pressure.
What If You Get Rejected From Harvard?
Gaining admission to Harvard is a challenging feat due to its extremely low acceptance rate of 4-5%. If your application to Harvard is not successful, we advise considering applications to other American universities that have higher acceptance rates. Additionally, you might contemplate applying to Harvard after taking a gap year.
FAQs on Harvard Acceptance Rate
What Amount of GPA do I need to get into Harvard?
To qualify for admission to Harvard University, it’s essential to possess outstanding academic performance during your high school years. As per information from the Harvard Crimson, the incoming freshman class of 2022 had an average GPA of 3.90 on an unweighted 4.0 scale.
Can I get admitted into Harvard with a 3 GPA?
Individuals holding a 3.0 GPA could potentially secure admission to Harvard provided their application strongly aligns with the university’s criteria. On occasion, possessing a unique attribute, like being an athlete, can enable candidates with a lower GPA to gain acceptance into Harvard.
Is Harvard the college with lowest acceptance rate?
Despite experiencing its lowest-ever acceptance rate, the Class of 2025 at Harvard University represents one of the most diverse cohorts in the institution’s past.
