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To say that it’s tough to get accepted into Harvard University is an understatement. This Ivy League school receives about 35,000 applications every year from around the world and their acceptance rate is 4.7%. That means, for every 100 applicants, less than 5 are successful. With such a low acceptance rate, Harvard is one of the most–if not the most–selective colleges. The average SAT and ACT scores for Harvard are also among the highest of all universities.
So what kind of SAT or ACT scores would you need to make the cut for this prestigious school? One way to find out is to look at the average scores between the 25th percentile and 75th percentile to see how the middle 50% of students in a college score. Checking the average SAT and ACT scores for Harvard make comparisons easier.
Average ACT score for Harvard University (With Writing)
The average ACT score for students who get accepted into Harvard is between 32 and 35. This is well above the national average of 21. Considering 36 is the highest you can score, this is a daunting goal. The average ACT score for Harvard University is much higher than that of any other Ivy League in the country.
Let’s break it down further by looking at some of the ACT sections and how Harvard compares to the national average. For the English section, the average acceptee scored a 34, and for Math a 33. On the national level, most students earned a 20.4 for English and a 20.8 for Math. The difference is considerable and only goes to show how difficult it is to get into Harvard.
Average SAT score for Harvard University
The average SAT score for students who get accepted into Harvard is between 2120 and 2400. Compare this to the national average, which is about 1497 as of 2015. This a reminder that these scores are based on the old 2400 scale, and that the SAT will be transitioning to a 1600-point scale later in 2016. The averages will likewise change, but you can be sure Harvard will still require incredibly high scores!
The average SAT score for Harvard in the Math section is 755. Nationally, it was 511. For the Verbal (or Reading) section, Harvard acceptees averaged 750, compared to the 495 national average.
How Harvard Acceptees Stack Up
Let’s take a look at the average composite scores for the students. For the ACT it’s a 34, SAT is 2260. This means that, nationally, these students rank in the 99th percentile for both tests. Impressive, to say the least.
What are the other Harvard requirements for admission?
Just comparing the average ACT/SAT scores for Harvard with the national average is eye-opening. It speaks volumes about how selective the school is. But SAT and ACT scores are not the only things Harvard considers when assessing applications. They have a few other, equally stringent requirements, in addition to the high standardized test scores.
They will also want to look at your high school transcript, your GPA, and letters of recommendation from teachers. In addition, they will want to see how you push yourself, what extracurricular activities you’re into, and how involved you are with your community. Not surprisingly, they expect you to excel in all areas – they are after all looking for the best of the best. And with so many applications to choose from, you would have to be outstanding to catch their attention. Your chances of getting in are almost nil if you don’t meet their high expectations.
A look at Harvard GPA requirements
Earning an impressive GPA is non-negotiable if you want to get accepted into Harvard. A high GPA is just as important as scoring high ACT and SAT scores.
Like most schools, Harvard too specifies a minimum GPA requirement. But this minimum does not guarantee that you’ll get accepted. It only ensures that your application does not get rejected immediately.
For instance, the minimum GPA requirement for Harvard is 4.0. However, to beat the other highly accomplished applicants, you’ll need to earn a GPA that’s higher than the minimum. The average GPA of applicants who get accepted into Harvard is 4.18. That means you need to be top of your class and earn straight A’s in most of your classes to stand any chance of getting accepted. That too, earning a high GPA in easy classes won’t do you much good. Admissions officers will want to see that you’ve taken more challenging classes such as AP or IB courses. Earning a high GPA in hard classes shows admissions officers that you’ll find college-level academics easy.
How To Boost Your Changes of Getting Accepted into Harvard
Students who wish to study at Harvard start working towards their dream early. If your goal is to attend Harvard, you’ll need to make your plans as early as possible. Start by taking challenging classes in high school. You’ll then need to put in the work to earn a high GPA. At the same time, you also need to set aside time to participate in meaningful extracurricular activities and spend time in community activities. Remember, you don’t need to participate in a long laundry list of activities. Instead, focus on quality instead of quantity.
In addition to all of the above, you also have to prepare for the SAT or ACT. The best way to do this is by answering practice tests. Assessing your performance in practice tests tells you a lot about your strengths and weaknesses. If you start early, you’ll have sufficient time to work on your weak areas to improve your score. Remember you aim to score more than the average SAT and ACT scores at Harvard. That will increase your chances of getting accepted.
Harvard accepts both the ACT (with writing) and/or SAT, so pick the test that’s right for you (click here to compare the ACT vs SAT)!
