Applying to Harvard

Acceptance RateSAT Median
3.45% 1,550
Harvard University's acceptance rate is 3.45% for 2023-2024 admission. A total of 56,937 students applied and 1,965 were admitted to the school. Judging by the acceptance rate, it is extremely hard to get into Harvard.
Harvard's acceptance rate is the lowest among 66 Massachusetts colleges with competitive admission.
The median SAT score is 1,550 and the ACT score is 35 at Harvard. Harvard's SAT score is the highest among 42 Massachusetts colleges that consider SAT score for admission.
To apply to Harvard, recommendations and personal statement (or essay) are required to submit. The SAT and ACT score is not required, but considered for admission. In addition, english proficiency test score is also considered.
Explore Harvard University

Admission Statistics

For the academic year 2023-24, the acceptance rate of Harvard University is 3.45% and the yield (also known as enrollment rate) is 83.72%. 26,301 men and 30,636 women applied to Harvard and 914 men and 1,051 women students were accepted.
Among them, 765 men and 880 women were enrolled in the school (Fall 2023). The following table and chart show the admission statistics including the number of applicants, acceptance rate, and yield at Harvard.
Acceptance Rate and Admission Statistics at Harvard
TotalMenWomenAnother GenderGender Unknown
Applicants56,93726,30130,63600
Admitted1,9659141,05100
Enrolled1,64576588000
Acceptance Rate 3.45%3.48%3.43%--
Yield 83.72%83.70%83.73%--
Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2023)
Harvard University 2023 Acceptance Rate By Gender chart

SAT and ACT Score Distribution

In 2024, 862 students (52% of enrolled) have submitted their SAT scores and 356 students (22%) have submitted their ACT scores for seeking degrees at Harvard.
The median SAT score is 1,550 with 760 SAT EBRW and 790 SAT Math median scores. The 75th percentile SAT score of EBRW (Evidence-Based Reading / Writing) is 780 and the 25th percentile is 740. The SAT Math 75th percentile score is 800 and 25th percentile is 760 .
The median ACT composite score is 35 with 75th percentile score of 36 and 25th percentile score of 34 at Harvard. The median ACT math score is 35 and the ACT English score is 35.
The SAT and ACT scores at Harvard University are relatively high compared to similar colleges (SAT: 1,492, ACT: 33 - private (not-for-profit) research university with very high research activity).
2024 SAT and ACT Scores at Harvard
25th Percentile50th Percentile (Median)75th Percentile
SAT Total150015501580
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing740760780
SAT Math760790800
ACT Composite343536
ACT Math333536
ACT English353536
Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2023)
Harvard University 2023 SAT and ACT Score Chart

Application Requirements

It requires to submit High School Record (or Transcript), Recommendations, and Personal statement or essay to its applicants.
The SAT and ACT test score is not reqired, but considered in admission process at Harvard. The english proficiency test is not reqired, but considered.
The next table summarizes the application requirements to apply Harvard University.
For more admission information such as minimum GPA and deadlines, see its online application page .
Harvard Admission Requirements
High School GPAConsidered, if submitted
High School RankConsidered, if submitted
High School Record (or Transcript)Required
Completion of College Preparatory ProgramConsidered, if submitted
RecommendationsRequired
Formal Demonstration of CompetenciesConsidered, if submitted
SAT / ACTConsidered, if submitted
English Proficiency TestConsidered, if submitted
Other Test (Wonderlic,WISC-III,etc)Considered, if submitted
Work experienceConsidered, if submitted
Personal statement or essayRequired
Legacy statusConsidered, if submitted

General Admissions Information

The application fee is $85 for undergraduate schools and $105 for graduate schools of Harvard University. The next table provides general admission information for applying to Harvard.
Admission Information for Applying to Harvard
Open Admission PolicyNo
Undergraduate Application Fees$85
Graduate Application Fees$105
Admission Informationcollege.harvard.edu/admissions
Online Applicationcollege.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements
Calendar SystemSemester
Course for High School StudentsOffers outside a dual enrollment
Credits AcceptedNo credits accepted
Degree Offered1-Year Certificate, Associate, Bachelor, Post-Bachelor Certificate, Master, Post-Master Certificate, Doctoral (Research), Doctoral (Professional Practice)
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