H
#4 Best Colleges in America

Harvard Admission Requirements

Cambridge, Massachusetts

 4 Reviews

Chances of getting into Harvard University

Acceptance Rate

Admitted 
4%
Admission Difficulty for Harvard University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Elite 
Applicant Competition Extreme 
How hard is it to get into Harvard and can I get accepted?

The acceptance rate at Harvard is 4%.  It ranks #1 in Massachusetts and #2 in the nation for lowest rate of acceptance. Harvard is extremely competitive school to get into with a very low chance of acceptance - even for applicants with the highest scores and grades. Last year, 2,318 out of 57,786 applicants were admitted.

The school has exceptionally high admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 2 percent on standardized admission tests. Harvard University typically accepts and 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. Of those applicants who were admitted, 84% chose to enroll. This indicates that admission to the school is highly desirable and is a top choice for many students.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Harvard University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 4.0 or better
  • Earn A/A+ grades in high school
  • Score 1530 on the SAT
  • Score 34 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class
  • Submit letters of recommendation from your teachers

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Harvard University. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 54% of students submitted SAT scores and 31% submitted ACT scores for admission for the 2021/2022 academic year..

Harvard SAT Scores

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 
1480-1580
Applicants Submitting SAT 
54%
SAT Scores for Harvard University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
SAT Reading 25th 730
SAT Math 25th 750
SAT Composite 25th 1480
SAT Scores for Harvard University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
SAT Reading 75th 780
SAT Math 75th 800
SAT Composite 75th 1580
Average SAT Score 1530

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to Harvard University?

Harvard University is a test optional school meaning applicants are not required to submit SAT scores with their application. The position on SAT scores from the school is "considered but not required".

Students who get into Harvard University score in the top 1 percent of all SAT test takers.. The SAT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 1480-1580.

Find other colleges with similar SAT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

Harvard University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1580 and Above Good >7%
1530 to 1580 Avg + 4%-7%
1480 to 1530 Avg - 2%-4%
1430 to 1480 Reach 1%-2%
Less than 1430 Low <1%
Calculate My Chances 

Harvard ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 
33-36 
Applicants Submitting ACT 
31%
ACT Scores for Harvard University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
ACT Reading 25th 35
ACT Math 25th 32
ACT Composite 25th 33
ACT Scores for Harvard University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
ACT Reading 75th 36
ACT Math 75th 35
ACT Composite 75th 36
Average ACT Score 34

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into Harvard?

Harvard University is test optional. Students are not required to submit ACT scores with their application. The policy on ACT scores is "considered but not required".

Harvard regularly accepts students who score 33 and above on the ACT. These students typically score in the top 2 percent nationally. The ACT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 33-36.

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Harvard University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
36 and Above Good >9%
34 to 36 Avg + 4%-9%
33 to 34 Avg - 3%-4%
32 to 33 Reach 2%-3%
Less than 32 Low <2%
Calculate My Chances 

Harvard GPA

Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 
4.0
Typical High School Grades 
A/A+

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/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.

 What do these ratings mean?

Explore more colleges with similar GPA requirements

High School GPA's for admitted Harvard University students
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

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

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 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

Applying

Admission Statistics

Harvard University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 30,805 26,981 57,786
Accepted 1,218 1,100 2,318
Acceptance Rate 4% 4% 4%
Enrolled 1,026 925 1,951
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 84% 84% 84%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Harvard University is $75.

Application Requirements

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

Harvard University Application Requirements
Test Scores Considered but not 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

High School Credits Accepted at Harvard University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit No
Credit for Life Experiences No
Other Colleges to Consider 

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?

54% of students submit their SAT scores to Harvard. 31% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Harvard University?

4% 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 1480 and 1580. 54% 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 36. 31% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.