Applying to Harvard University

56,937

Applicants

3.00%

Acceptance Rate

1550

SAT Median

35

ACT Median

How hard is Harvard University to get into?

Harvard University (Harvard) acceptance rate is 3.00% for 2023-2024 admission. A total of 56,937 students applied and 1,708 were admitted to the school. Its acceptance rate is very low, which means it is very hard to get into Harvard.

Harvard's acceptance rate is the lowest among 66 Massachusetts colleges with competitive admission.

The median SAT score is 1550 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.

Admission Statistics

For the academic year 2023-24, Harvard's acceptance rate is 3.00% and the yield (also known as enrollment rate) is 84.02%. 26,301 men and 30,636 women applied to Harvard and 789 men and 919 women students were accepted.

Among them, 663 men and 772 women were enrolled in Harvard (Fall 2023).

Acceptance Rate and Admission Statistics at Harvard
TotalMenWomenAnother GenderGender Unknown
Applicants56,93726,30130,63600
Admitted1,70878991900
Enrolled1,43566377200
Acceptance Rate 3.00%3.00%3.00%--
Yield 84.02%84.03%84.00%--

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: July 3, 2024)

Harvard University 2023 Acceptance Rate By Gender chart

Median SAT and ACT Score

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.

How competitive is Harvard's score?

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).

The institutional SAT code for Harvard is 3434 and 4-digt code ACT code is 1845.

2024 SAT and ACT Scores at Harvard
25th Percentile50th Percentile (Median)75th Percentile
SAT Total1,5001,5501,580
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing740760780
SAT Math760790800
ACT Composite343536
ACT Math333536
ACT English353536

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: July 3, 2024)

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 applying undergraduate schools and $105 for for applying graduate schools at Harvard University. The following 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)

Ratings & Review

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