Harvard Admission Requirements

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Cambridge, MA
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Harvard Admission Overview

Harvard admission requirements are extremely competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in the nation. Last year Harvard admitted 3.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 4.0 GPA (A/A+) and SAT 1510-1580 / ACT 34-36. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Harvard requires the SAT or ACT for 2024-25.

Cycle: 2024-25. Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Harvard acceptance rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

3.6%

Admission Standards

Elite

Applicant Competition

Extreme

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Harvard acceptance rate is 3.6%. Last year, only 1,970 of 54,008 applicants were admitted. That is the lowest acceptance rate in Massachusetts and the 5th lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Harvard and can you get accepted?

Harvard is an extremely competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in ten applicants. You have a very low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

Harvard University typically attracts "A/A+" average high school students with an average GPA around 4.0. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. Of those admitted, 84% enrolled. That suggests Harvard is the top choice for most students who are offered a place.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Harvard GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

4.0

Typical High School Grades

A/A+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 4.0

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Harvard typically have around a 4.0 GPA (A/A+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. Matching last year's 4.0 average does not by itself determine admission.

76% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #1 in Massachusetts for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Harvard University freshmen
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	75.76%	Avg +
3.75 to 3.99	18.02%	Avg -
3.50 to 3.74	4.0%	Reach
3.25 to 3.49	1.79%	Reach
3.00 to 3.24	0.32%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	0.11%	Low
2.00 to 2.49	0%	Low
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Harvard SAT scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1510-1580

Freshmen who sent SAT

54%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 740
Math 770
Composite 1510

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 780
Math 800
Composite 1580

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Harvard typically score around a 1550 SAT (middle 50% 1510–1580) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 99th percentile nationally. Harvard ranks #2 in the state of Massachusetts and #5 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1510 to 1580

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1510–1580 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

You must send SAT or ACT for 2024-25. Confirm current rules on the school's site.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1550 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Harvard University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1580 and Above	Above 75th	>7%
1550 to 1580	Avg +	4%-7%
1510 to 1550	Avg -	2%-4%
Below 1510	Below mid-50	<2%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Harvard ACT scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

34-36

Freshmen reporting ACT

19%

25th Percentile Scores

English 35
Math 32
Composite 34

75th Percentile Scores

English 36
Math 36
Composite 36

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Harvard typically have around a 35 ACT (mid-50 34–36) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 99th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Harvard places #1 among colleges in Massachusetts and #4 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 34 to 36

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 34–36 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

ACT or SAT is required for 2024-25. Check the school's site for current rules.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 35.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Harvard University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
36	Above 75th	>7%
35 to 36	Avg +	4%-7%
34 to 35	Avg -	2%-4%
Below 34	Below mid-50	<2%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

94% of Harvard University freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Harvard University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	94%
Top 25% of class	98%
Top 50% of class	100%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate how you compare

See how your GPA and SAT or ACT compare with last year's enrolled class. This is not a personal probability of admission.

Open the Harvard chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Harvard University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	28,372	25,613	54,008
Accepted	1,050	920	1,970
Acceptance Rate	4%	4%	4%
Enrolled	880	767	1,647
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	84%	83%	84%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Harvard University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Harvard University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Required to be considered for admission
High School GPA	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

126

Applicants have 126 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Harvard University is $85.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Harvard University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	No
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Harvard is test-required for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 3.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 4.0 GPA (about an A/A+ average). Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025