As one of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions, Harvard University is renowned for its rigorous admissions process and incredibly low acceptance rate. With thousands of exceptional applicants vying for a limited number of spots, getting into Harvard is a true testament to academic excellence and potential.
You only need to take a quick glance at Harvard’s admissions statistics to see how many people apply to Harvard each year. Harvard University received 54,008 applications for the class of 2028. With only 1,970 students admitted, the acceptance rate was just 3.6%.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning on applying to Harvard University.
Getting into Harvard is becoming more competitive
Harvard’s overall acceptance rate has experienced a dramatic decline over the years. Recently, it’s hovered around the 3-5% mark, making it one of the most selective universities in the United States and globally. This means that for every 100 applicants, only a handful are accepted, and as more applicants have applied over time, the odds have only gotten longer. The competition is fierce, and the bar for entry is set exceptionally high.
The downward trajectory of Harvard’s acceptance rate can be attributed to several factors, including:
- Increased applications: The rise of the Common Application and online platforms has made the college application process at top colleges easier, leading to a surge in applications to Harvard.
- Global reach: Harvard’s reputation attracts top students from around the world, intensifying the competition for limited spots and making Harvard’s acceptance rate for international students even more challenging.
- Emphasis on diversity: Harvard actively seeks to create a diverse student body, potentially leading to fluctuations in acceptance rates for specific demographics.
Harvard University Acceptance Rates Across Faculties
Harvard University comprises Harvard College, along with 12 graduate and professional schools, each with its own application processes and policies. While the overall acceptance rate at Harvard is strikingly low, there can be variations across Harvard’s diverse faculties.
Harvard College’s (Undergraduate) Acceptance Rate
Harvard College is the undergraduate division of Harvard University, offering a four year liberal arts and sciences program. This undergraduate college is usually the most competitive among all of Harvard’s faculties, with acceptance rates often dipping below 5%. The acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was just 3.6%. Its early action round is usually higher than the regular decision round: for the Class of 2028, Harvard admitted 692 of 7,921 early applicants, an 8.74% early action rate, up from 7.56% (722 of 9,553 applicants) for the Class of 2027. In that same Class of 2027 cycle, the regular decision round saw 1,220 students admitted from 47,384 applicants. Since the Class of 2029, Harvard has changed its disclosure policy and no longer releases detailed admissions statistics until later in the year, so it has not yet released admissions data for the Class of 2030.
Harvard Graduate School’s Acceptance Rate
Programs like Harvard Business School (HBS), Harvard Law School (HLS), and Harvard Medical School (HMS), though incredibly selective, may have slightly higher acceptance rates compared to Harvard College. This often reflects their focus on specific disciplines and the need for prior academic or professional experience.
- Harvard Business School Acceptance Rate: 14% (MBA Class of 2025) and 4% (Doctoral Programs 2025)
- Harvard Law School Acceptance Rate: 11% (J.D. Class of 2027)
- Harvard Medical School Acceptance Rate: 2.4% (Class of 2028)
Standardised tests, including SAT score, play a crucial role in Harvard’s admissions process
- SAT/ACT (Undergraduate): Harvard requires first-year applicants to submit either the SAT or ACT. A competitive SAT score typically falls between the 25th percentile of 1500 and the 75th percentile of 1580, while ACT scores for admitted students generally range from 34 to 36. Students typically aim for scores in the top 1% to be competitive, around the upper end of Harvard’s admitted-student profile.
- GMAT/GRE (Graduate): Most graduate programs require either the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT, 10th Edition or Focus Edition) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). High scores on these exams demonstrate academic aptitude and readiness for graduate-level work.
Harvard adopts a holistic admissions approach, meaning test scores matter, but they are only one part of the evaluation. Here’s what else matters:
- GPA: A consistently high GPA throughout high school reflects academic rigour and dedication, and the average GPA among admitted students is around 4.2.
- Extracurricular activities: Leadership positions, community service and exceptional talents in areas like sports, music or the arts showcase well-roundedness and potential contributions to the Harvard community.
- Essays: Compelling personal essays provide insights into an applicant’s personality, values and intellectual curiosity.
- Letters of recommendation: Strong recommendations from teachers or mentors can highlight an applicant’s strengths, work ethic and academic potential.
Gaining admission to Harvard requires an extraordinary application demonstrating academic excellence, passion, intellectual curiosity and the potential to make a meaningful impact. While there’s no guaranteed formula for success, focusing on your academic record, test scores and extracurricular achievements and crafting compelling essays will significantly increase your chances. Comparing your own GPA and SAT or ACT results against Harvard’s typical admitted range can help you gauge where you stand.
Harvard University’s incredibly low acceptance rate speaks volumes about its reputation for excellence and the sheer volume of exceptional applicants. Understanding the nuances of acceptance rates across faculties, the role of entrance exams and the holistic admissions process is essential for anyone aspiring to join the ranks of Harvard’s student body.
Harvard’s financial aid
Harvard offers scholarships and grants for students who need financial aid, with each School at Harvard managing its own financial aid office. Harvard also has a range of scholarships available to Australian students through the Harvard Club of Australia. To learn more about the financial aid options available, visit the financial aid website of the school you plan to attend.
Support your studies with Spark Finance
Scholarships and grants through Harvard University aren’t your only options when it comes to financial aid. External funding is also a possibility. Spark Finance offers a tuition loan product tailored especially to international students. Whether you’re looking for a loan to help you pursue your undergraduate degree abroad, or you’re after financial support to fund your postgraduate studies overseas, Spark Finance can help.
For more information, explore our undergraduate and postgraduate student loans, learn about refinancing options, or apply now for a student tuition loan.
