It is almost a cliche at this point to put Harvard on a pedestal, venerating it as the most prestigious university in the world and as an admissions Holy Grail. Harvard’s esteem derives from a legacy of excellence in higher education that has gone unparalleled for generations. Between the eight U.S. presidents, 188 billionaires, and 49 Nobel Laureates who can call themselves Harvard alumni, many would probably agree that they were mystified by this Harvard mythology prior to arriving on campus. The crowning jewel of the Ivy League, Harvard has a renown that is ubiquitous with American culture itself.

With that being said, many would be surprised to learn that Harvard is not considered one of the more academically rigorous Ivy League schools. It certainly takes near perfection to be admitted, but once the pearly gates are opened, students find themselves faced with grade inflation, robust academic support resources, and moderate workloads. It is very difficult to fail out of Harvard (don’t ask Mark Zuckerberg — he dropped out!). 

The Harvard College core curriculum requires coursework taken in a variety of disciplines, including a quantitative reasoning requirement that is the bane of humanities students, and an expository writing requirement that stumps many STEM students. Undergraduates must also take one course each in the arts and humanities, science and engineering, and social sciences divisions, as well as courses from the four following general education categories: Aesthetics & Culture; Ethics & Civics; Histories, Societies, Individuals; and Science & Technology in Society. 50 “concentrations” (the Harvard term for major) are offered, including a special concentration that allows students to shape their own studies.

Harvard was founded in 1636 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, making it the oldest post-secondary institution in the United States. Its long history has been marked by leadership in American higher education: Harvard is a founding university in the Association of American Universities, a pioneer of the meritocratic admissions system that prevails across the higher education sphere today, and is home to the largest academic library in the world. In 1979, Harvard merged with the adjacent Radcliffe Women’s college and integrated female students into all aspects of campus life, but it wasn’t until 1999 that women graduating from Harvard were awarded degrees from Harvard exclusively, and not also Radcliffe. With approximately 6,700 undergraduates, Harvard College has the fifth highest undergraduate population in the Ivy League, trailing Cornell, Penn, Columbia, and Brown. Another 15,000 students are enrolled in Harvard’s graduate and professional schools. “The Harvard Bubble” refers to the self-contained universe of classes, events, and parties that disincentivizes students from leaving Harvard Yard and venturing into greater Cambridge, which houses nearby MIT, or the city of Boston. While some students participate in the “club” scene at Final clubs on campus (the Harvard analogue to Greek life) many turn to student organization parties and dorms for their fill of social life. While athletics are not as popular at Harvard as at other schools, many turn out sporting crimson for the annual Harvard-Yale football game in the fall. At Harvard College and eleven world renowned graduate and professional schools, students have been taught by faculty such as Senator Elizabeth Warren, psychologist Steven Pinker, and activist-philosopher Cornel West. Harvard manages billions of dollars in research funds each year from revenues generated by its $53 billion dollar endowment (the largest university endowment in the world). The acceptance rate at Harvard is usually the lowest in the Ivy League, while the matriculation rate is usually the highest; for the Class of 2028, Harvard offered admission to 1,937 out of 54,008 applicants, for an acceptance rate of 3.59%. Applicants must have a stellar academic record, strong writing samples that espouse a unique perspective, and an activity list that has a quality over quantity approach to extracurricular engagement.

What are Harvard University looking for?

While we believe that the conclusions summarized on this page will meet the expectations of many other selective colleges, let us say a word about Harvard, since it was here that the data underlying our conclusions were gathered.

This overview is not intended to provide a formula that will ensure admission to Harvard. Our admissions policies are based on many criteria. Some are academic; others are not.

Our Admissions Office chooses carefully from a broad range of applicants who seem to us to offer the most promise for future contributions to society. Not all of the students who are best prepared for college will be among those with the most future promise, nor are all of the most promising well prepared academically.

While the heart of the matter will always lie in academic promise, we prize candidates with special talents and with outstanding personal qualities; we are interested in students who excel in one or more extracurricular activities; and we seek a distinctive and diverse national and international student body.

Most of all we look for students who make the most of their opportunities and the resources available to them, and who are likely to continue to do so throughout their lives.

We believe that you should prepare for college by mastering certain subjects and skills. You can demonstrate your proficiency in these subjects by taking Advanced Placement tests and International Baccalaureate tests and submitting the scores, if you wish.

Admissions Statistics

ADMISSION INFORMATION

APPLICATION DATES & DEADLINES

Additional essay questions of the application.

Each question has a 150 word limit. 

1. Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a student body with a diversity of perspectives and experiences. How will the life experiences that shaped who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard?
2. Describe a time when you strongly disagreed with someone about an idea or issue. How did you communicate or engage with this person? What did you learn from this experience?
3. Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are.
4. How do you hope to use your Harvard education in the future?
5. Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.