Harvard University Admission
Application Fee
$85
Graduate Application Fee
$105
Acceptance Rate
3.00%
Yield (Enrollment Rate)
84.02%
Freshmen Enrollment
1,646
SAT Scores
1,550
For the 2022-2023 admission, a total of 61,221 students have applied and 1,984 students have allowed to admit to Harvard University (Acceptance rate: 3.24%). Harvard's yield, also known as enrollment rate, is 82.96 % where 1,646 students have finally enrolled out of 1,984 admitted students.
Harvard acceptance rate is lower (tighter to admit) compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in Massachusetts. Compared to similar schools in rankings such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University, its acceptance rate is lower (difficult to get in) (the average acceptance rate of the schools is 4.43%).
Harvard enrollment rate (yield) is higher (more admitted-students enrolled) compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in Massachusetts. Compared to similar schools in rankings, its yield is lower (admitted, but not enrolled) (average yield is 72.99%).
How to Apply to Harvard University
The following table summarizes the contact and directory information to apply Harvard. Harvard offers benefits for veterans, service member, or qualified family members. You may need to prepare certificate of eligibility (COE ) from the Veterans Affairs .
| Admission | college.harvard.edu/admissions |
|---|---|
| Online Application | college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements |
| Financial Aid | college.harvard.edu/financial-aid |
| Net Price Calculator | college.harvard.edu/financial-aid/net-price-calculator |
| Veterans Tuition | sfs.harvard.edu/veteran-military-benefits |
| Athletic | https://gocrimson.com/sports/2023/8/11/student-athlete-graduation-rates.aspx |
| Disability Service | accessibility.harvard.edu/ |
Admission Statistics Charts
The following chart visualizes the admission statistics at Harvard and compares to similar schools by type, level and location.
*Data Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Test Scores Comparison
In 2023, the average SAT score at Harvard University is 1,550 and the average ACT score is 35. Compared to similar schools in college rankings, the admission score of Harvard University is comparable to the schools (average score is 1,543). You can check and compare the SAT and ACT scores by subject with tables and charts.
| SAT Average | ACT Average | |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | 1,550 | 35 |
| Similarly Colleges in Rankings | 1,543 | 35 |
| All U.S. Colleges | 1,123 | 68 |
| Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges | 1,132 | 69 |
| 4-Years Colleges | 1,124 | 68 |
| Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in Massachusetts | 1,237 | 81 |
SAT/ACT Scores by Subject
At Harvard University, 903 students submitted SAT scores (55% of enrolled students).
The average SAT score is about 1,550 and it is extremely competitive scores than average for Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in Massachusetts. The following table shows the SAT average scores by subject and 25th/75th percentile.
| 25th percentile | 50th percentile (Median) | 75th percentile | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 730 | 760 | 780 |
| Mathematics | 760 | 790 | 800 |
| Total | 1,490 | 1,550 | 1,580 |
*Data Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)(Last update: December 11, 2023)
At Harvard University, 466 students submitted ACT scores (28% of enrolled students).
The average ACT score is about 35 and it is lower than average for Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in Massachusetts. The next table shows the ACT average scores by subject and 25th/75th percentile.
| 25th percentile | 50th percentile (Median) | 75th percentile | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 34 | 35 | 36 |
| English | 35 | 35 | 36 |
| Mathematics | 32 | 34 | 35 |
Harvard Admission Requirements
The following table summarizes the admission requirement to apply to Harvard University. The school requires 3 items to submit - Secondary school record, Recommendations, and Legacy status.
8 items are Considered if submitted - Secondary school GPA, Secondary school rank, Completion of college-preparatory program, Formal demonstration of competencies, Admission test scores, TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), Work experience, and Personal statement or essay.
| Secondary school GPA | Considered, if submitted |
| Secondary school rank | Considered, if submitted |
| Secondary school record | Required |
| Completion of college-preparatory program | Considered, if submitted |
| Recommendations | Required |
| Formal demonstration of competencies | Considered, if submitted |
| Admission test scores | Considered, if submitted |
| TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) | Considered, if submitted |
| Work experience | Considered, if submitted |
| Personal statement or essay | Considered, if submitted |
| Legacy status | Required |