In 2016, Harvard received a record breaking amount of first year applications: 39,044. The average is closer to 34,295, but this year saw a 5% increase on the previous. However, the school has a 3% acceptance rate, resulting in 1,710 students receiving acceptance letters. A high 84% of students decide on Harvard as their school of choice, with 1,430 enrolling. A majority of applicants are male, but the school is nearly even for the male to female ratio, with men slightly ahead.

The university is known for carefully reading every single application received. They tend to look for not only academic success, but students who are committed to their community, show promise, have strong qualities, or display special talents.

When applying, the school generally requests admission test scores (ACT or SAT), two recommendations, and your secondary school record. It’s also recommended that you submit your GPA and school’s rank. For your ACT, you should aim for a 34 - 36 in every category. For the SAT, aim for 1,500 - 1,590 combined, or 710-794 on Math and 709-794 on Verbal.

Harvard also has very strict dates for applications. If you are participating in Early Action, yours is due by November 1st. You should expect to hear back in mid-December. For the Regular Decision program, applications are due by January 1st, hearing back late March. If you are accepted, you must respond by May 1st.

Please note that Harvard has a $85 application fee for undergraduates and $105 for graduates.

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Student ACT Scores

25th %
75th %



Student SAT Scores

25th %
75th %



First-Year Admission Statistics

Application, Acceptance, Enrollment Statistics from the 2023 Admissions Cycle
Applications
56,937
Male 26,301
Female 30,636

 

Acceptance
1,708
Male 789
Female 919

 

Enrollment Total
1,434
Male 662
Female 772


Acceptance Rate
3%
Male
3%
Female
3%

 

Yield
84%
Male
83.9%
Female
84%


Application Fees and Other Information

Application Fees

Undergraduate

$85


Graduate

$105



Credit from AP or Pre-college classes

  • Advanced Placement (AP) credits
  • Institution does not accept dual, credit for life, or AP credits


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