Chances of getting into Harvard University
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance Rate
| Measure | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|
| Admission Standards | Elite | |
| Applicant Competition | Extreme |
How hard is it to get into Harvard and can I get accepted? The school has a 5% acceptance rate ranking it #1 in Massachusetts for lowest rate of acceptance. Last year, 2,015 out of 40,248 applicants were admitted making Harvard an extremely competitive school to get into with a very low chance of acceptance - even for applicants with the highest scores and grades. Academically, it has exceptionally high requirements for admission test scores, generally admitting students who score in the top 2 percent. Harvard University typically accepts and attracts "A" average high school students. Of those applicants who were admitted, 70% enrolled. With over half of admitted students enrolling, acceptance by Harvard University is a prized outcome for many students. Most incoming freshmen graduated in the top quarter of their high school class.
Test Requirements
You must submit admission test scores with your application. Harvard University is not a test optional school. Note: Please consult the school directly to determine if testing requirements are temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Harvard SAT Scores
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
SAT Range
Applicants Submitting SAT
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| SAT Reading 25th | 720 |
| SAT Math 25th | 740 |
| SAT Composite 25th | 1460 |
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| SAT Reading 75th | 780 |
| SAT Math 75th | 800 |
| SAT Composite 75th | 1580 |
| Average SAT Score | 1520 |
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to Harvard University?
Harvard University typically prefers applicants to be in the top 2 percent of SAT test takers. The school consistently takes SAT composite scores down to 1460 on a 1600 scale, below which admission should be considered a reach. We estimate some students could be accepted with SAT's as low as 1400. The estimated average SAT composite for admitted freshman is 1520 out of 1600. The school ranks #2 in Massachusetts for highest average SAT composite score. A competitive SAT score is critical as 69 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2020 starting classEstimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score
| SAT Score (1600 scale) | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 1580 and Above | Good | >8% |
| 1520 to 1580 | Avg + | 5%-8% |
| 1460 to 1520 | Avg - | 3%-5% |
| 1400 to 1460 | Reach | 2%-3% |
| Less than 1400 | Low | <2% |
Harvard ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
ACT Range
Applicants Submitting ACT
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| ACT Reading 25th | 35 |
| ACT Math 25th | 31 |
| ACT Composite 25th | 33 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| ACT Reading 75th | 36 |
| ACT Math 75th | 35 |
| ACT Composite 75th | 35 |
| Average ACT Score | 34 |
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into Harvard?
Admission data indicates that Harvard regularly accepts students with ACT's of 33 and above. Successful applicants typically send ACT scores in the top 2 percent nationally. We estimate the school accepting minimum ACT composite scores around 32 in some instances. Prospective students submitting an ACT composite of 34 or higher should be in the upper half of applicants - and students with a 35 and above have very competitive chances. The school ranks #2 in Massachusetts for highest average ACT composite score. 47 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Harvard University.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2020 starting classEstimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score
| ACT Score | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 35 and Above | Good | >8% |
| 34 to 35 | Avg + | 5%-8% |
| 33 to 34 | Avg - | 3%-5% |
| 32 to 33 | Reach | 2%-3% |
| Less than 32 | Low | <2% |
Explore Harvard University
Harvard GPA
Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA
Avg. High School GPA
Typical High School Grades
What GPA do you need to get into Harvard University?
Applicants require exceptionally good grades to get into Harvard. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at Harvard University was 4.0 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily A students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #1 in Massachusetts for highest average GPA. Given the school's very highly selective admissions, acceptance at Harvard extremely difficult and unlikely even with a 4.0 GPA. The school should be considered a reach even if you have a 4.0 GPA.
| High School GPA | Freshmen Within Range | Competitiveness |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | 75.76% | Reach |
| 3.75 to 3.99 | 18.02% | Reach |
| 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 |
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2021
Similar Requirements
High School Class Rank
94% of Harvard University freshman were in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class.
| High School Class Rank | Freshmen Within Range |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of class | 94% |
| Top 25% of class | 98% |
| Top 50% of class | 100% |
| Lower 50% of class | 0% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 20,212 | 20,036 | 40,248 |
| Accepted | 1,041 | 974 | 2,015 |
| Acceptance Rate | 5% | 5% | 5% |
| Enrolled | 733 | 674 | 1,407 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 70% | 69% | 70% |
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Harvard University is $75.
Admission Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Harvard University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Required |
| High School GPA | Recommended |
| High School Class Rank | Recommended |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Neither required nor recommended |
| Recommendations | Required |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Neither required nor recommended |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | No |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=166027 IPEDS survey data for Harvard University.
FAQs
Does Harvard University prefer SAT or ACT?
69% of students submit their SAT scores to Harvard. 47% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.
What is my chance of getting into Harvard University?
5% of those who apply are granted admission to Harvard. Admission competition is extreme and the college has elite admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.
What SAT score is required for Harvard University?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1460 and 1580. 69% of students submit SAT scores when applying. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.
What ACT score is required for Harvard University?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 33 and 35. 47% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.