Harvard University admissions are offered for two main intakes- Fall & Spring; both available for Indian students. Harvard University admits students through restrictive early action or regular decision, with decisions released by the end of March. Admissions to Harvard University courses are the most selective among the 8 Ivy League institutes. Harvard University's acceptance rate is reported to be 3.2% for 2022 intakes. In the last 10 years, Harvard has recorded an acceptance rate of below 7% only.
Despite the low acceptance rate, international student enrollments at Harvard are good compared to universities like Yale, MIT, and Stanford. Currently, the university houses 15.6% of international students on campus. Most students admitted to Harvard University programs have an unweighted GPA of 4.18 or above. This means, to meet Harvard University admission requirements, you’ll need to score straight A’s in your class.
Tip for Indian Students: The sooner you submit it, the better it is, as admissions offices sometimes keep pre-shortlisting students based on these. So submitting your digital application before the deadline is one of the first Harvard University admission requirements for Indian students.
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Harvard University Admission Deadline
The deadlines for PG programs admission to Harvard University vary depending on the type of course. Some courses have December deadlines, while others have January deadlines. However, Undergraduate programs are generally offered in the Spring intake. Following are the deadlines for 2023 undergraduate admission to Harvard University:
| Type | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Early Action | November 1 (closed) |
| Regular Decision | January 1 |
| Financial Aid Application | February 1 |
Harvard University Acceptance Rate
Harvard is one of the most difficult universities in the world to get into, and it is only getting harder. The university has accepted only 2,320 students out of 57,786 applicants. Harvard University acceptance rate is a record low of 3.2% in 2022. Harvard University admitted students into seven main areas. According to the percentage of students, 28.8% of them chose to study social sciences, 18.2% of them chose biology, 15.7% of them chose humanities, 9% of them chose engineering as their concentration, 8.3% of them chose computer science, 7.2% of them took math, and 5.9% of them chose physical sciences.
Harvard prioritizes admission of students who have made an impact in their community through volunteer and charity work, as well as leadership and distinction in extracurricular activities. Students can demonstrate these qualities in their supplemental essays as well as through extracurricular activities.
Read: Harvard University Admission 2023 (Spanish)
Havard University Exams Requirement
| Harvard Colleges | Average Exams Requirement |
|---|---|
| Harvard College | SAT- 1460 or ACT- 34 |
| Harvard Law School | LSAT- 174 |
| Harvard Business School | GRE- 328 or GMAT- 730 |
| Harvard Kennedy School | GRE- 323 or GMAT- 710 |
| Harvard Graduate Schools | GRE- 315 |
Harvard University Undergraduate Admission
Harvard University offers admission in 97 distinct undergraduate degrees, concentrated into 57 majors within 19 broad fields of study. Mentioned below is the process to apply for a UG program at Harvard University.
Application Portal: Common application or Coalition Application
Application Fee: 75 USD (~5,600 INR)
Admission Requirements:
- School report and high school transcript
- Teacher report (2)
- Midyear school report (after the first semester grades)
- Final school report
- SAT or ACT (optional for 2022-2023 applicants, but recommended)
Application steps:
- Step 1: Create an account in Commonapp or Coalition application
- Step 2: Submit supporting documents
- Step 3: Submit English proficiency scores (Optional).
Note: If your college does not issue mark sheets or transcripts, submit an official letter from them listing courses and examinations taken, grades, and degrees and dates of degrees received.
Harvard University Masters Admissions
Harvard University offers over 200 postgraduate programs through its 12 graduate and professional schools. Students seeking admission can start their application for Harvard University from September.
Application Fee: Non-refundable 105 USD (~8,200 INR)
Mentioned below are the course-specific requirements of some of the most enrolled Masters courses at Harvard:
| Category | Master in Data Science | M.Sc. in Computational Science | Masters of Biomedical Informatics | Master of Architecture | Master of Public Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portal | GSAS Application | School of Engineering and Applied Sciences | Harvard Medical School | Graduate School of Design | School of Public Health |
| Deadline | December 1, 2023 | December 1, 2023 | March 4, 2023 | January 4, 2023 | December 1, 2023 |
| Application fee | 105 USD | 105 USD | 100 USD | 105 USD | 50 USD |
| LOR | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Work experience | Preferred | Preferred | Required | Preferred | - |
| GRE | Not required | Optional | Optional | Required | Not required |
| Writing sample | Not required | Supplemental Data form | Required | approximately 600 words | - |
| SOP for USA | Required | Required | Limited to 500-750 words | - | Not exceed 600 words |
| Resume/ CV | Required | Required | Required | Required along with a Portfolio | Required |
Note: Harvard College and some grad schools allow applicant interviews. Not all Harvard schools recommend interviews as a part of the admission process.
Harvard University MBA Admissions
MBA in Harvard is a 2-year full-time program offered by Harvard Business School. Applications have started for MBA program for 2023 academic sessions. The application deadlines for upcoming MBA admissions are:
| Application Period | Application Deadline | Notification Date |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | September 7, 2022 | December 8, 2022 |
| Round 2 | January 4, 2023 | March 29, 2023 |
The application requirements for the Harvard MBA program are as follows:
MBA Application Portal: HBS Application Portal
Application Fee: Non-refundable 250 USD (~19,520 INR)
Required Documents: International students need the following documents for admission to MBA in Harvard University:
- Minimum 3.5 in Undergraduate degree
- GMAT score of 730
- TOEFL-iBT Score of 100
- Personal essay
- 2 Recommendation Letters
- Resume
- Work Experience above 3 years
Students from all academic backgrounds are eligible to apply for the MBA program at Harvard University. More than 60% of MBA admits belong to non-business academic backgrounds. As long as students have strong academic grades and fulfill MBA selection criteria, they can apply for the program. The education background of the class of 2023 is mentioned below for reference:
Also Check: MBA Universities in Boston
Harvard University Law Admissions
Harvard University offers 8 law programs through Harvard Law School. The school offers degree programs like JD, LLM and the most advanced SJD (Doctor of Juridical Science). The university also offers international students joint JD/Master's programs, research programs, and coordinated/concurrent degrees.
LLM Eligibility Criteria:
- JD, LLB or equivalent degree from a recognized institution
- Occupational interests
- LOR for law school
- Personal and professional accomplishments
- Intent to return to their home country
- Work experience of 2 years is prioritized
Harvard University Doctoral Programs Admissions
International students can apply for admission to several doctoral courses in Harvard University across Computer Science, Business Administration, Neuroscience, Electrical Engineering among others. The application requirements for the doctoral courses are program-specific. The applications for 2023 will become available in September 2022.
Application Fee: Non-refundable 105 USD (~8,200 INR)
Eligibility Criteria: The common requirements for admission to the PhD programs at Harvard University are as follows:
- Completed application form
- Transcripts from the postsecondary institute
- Resume/CV
- GRE score
- SOP
- 3 LOR
- TOEFL score or IELTS score.
TOEFL Score Requirements
Strong knowledge of English is essential for successful admission to Harvard University, including the ability to understand and express thoughts quickly and clearly. Although students are not required to take an English proficiency exam for UG programs, they may submit scores if they wish to do so. Minimum english proficiency score required for PG programs are tabulated below:
US Student Visa Application Process
An international student, who has been accepted into a full-time program at Harvard University, needs a US student visa. I -20 form will be provided by Harvard University along with an acceptance letter. An interview must be scheduled with the US Embassy or Consulate and following documents must be carried for issuance of a student visa:
- Proof of funding (A minimum amount of 46,333 USD)
- Copy of passport
- SEVIS fee receipt
- A university Student’s Health Insurance Plan
- Official IELTS/TOEFL report
- Official/Attested copies of university transcripts and degree certificate
After the students submit their applications, students get an email confirmation with a PIN to access the Applicant Portal. Most applicants receive their confirmation email the day after they submit their application online. Applications sent in the mail will take up to two weeks to process.
Harvard University Admission Decision
Harvard provides notification for restrictive early action by mid-December. Regular decision applicants hear the decision by the end of March. Students can watch their application decision on the application portal.
Once the decision is released, students get a notification email as a reminder to check their application status. Students can check the applications after 15 minutes of decision release. If the students stay logged in while the decisions are released, they might not receive the reminder email.
Academic accomplishment in high school is important, but the Admissions Committee also considers many other criteria, such as community involvement, leadership and distinction in extracurricular activities, and personal qualities and character.
FAQs
Ques. How can I get accepted to Harvard?
Ans. The key to secure Harvard University admission is a combination of academic merit, positive recommendations, excellent standardized test scores and leadership qualities. Students need a minimum GPA of 4.0 on a 4.0 scale (97-100%) for admission to Harvard. Admitted students reflect a median GRE score of 300 and GMAT score of 730 for admission to Harvard University. Indian students need a TOEFL score of 100 or higher for admission to most of the programs.
Ques. Can an average student get into Harvard?
Ans. Harvard University is an institution for extremely meritorious students only. The university has a stringent acceptance rate of 4.7% and expects a GPA of 4/4 (97-100%) from the applicants. Most of the admitted students at Harvard were toppers in their previous academic programs.
Ques. How much is the Harvard application fee?
Ans. The undergraduate application fee at Harvard University is 75 USD (5,900 INR). The graduate application fees are course-specific and range from 50 to 250 USD (4,000 to 20,000 INR).
Ques. How many essays does Harvard require?
Ans. Harvard University applicants need 1 personal essay. You might also need to submit course-specific supplemental materials like artwork, music recordings, or academic work samples.
Ques. How can I apply to Harvard from India?
Ans. Indian students need to complete the Harvard University admission application and submit the application fee within the deadline. You should also submit supplemental documents like academic transcripts, standardized test scores, writing sample, SOP, LOR, resume, proof of work experience (if applicable) or any other document specified by the university. Remember, English proficiency test scores are mandatory for Indian students.
Ques. How does Harvard choose students?
Ans. Harvard University evaluates each application with careful, individual attention. The university looks for students who can cooperate with each other in the learning process. Students with a probability of setting an example for the world according to their previous achievements and career goals get advantage in the screening process.
Ques. Is SAT required for Harvard?
Ans. Harvard University follows a test optional admission process. The university is looking forward to allowing students to apply for 2023 admission without SAT or ACT scores.
Ques. What are the requirements to get into Harvard?
Ans. The basic admission requirements at Harvard University includes academic transcripts with a GPA of 4.0/4.0 (97-100%), academic or professional LOR(s), English proficiency test scores, resume, proof of finance availability, SOP, essay and other program-specific supplemental documents. Graduate program applicants need GRE or GMAT scores. The average GRE score of the admitted students is 300 and the average GMAT score is 730.
Ques. How does Harvard notify acceptance?
Ans. Harvard University admission decisions are released in the application portal. Besides, students get a reminder notification to check their application status through email. Notifications for restrictive early action are released around mid-December. Regular decisions are released by March end.
Ques. Does Harvard send rejection letters?
Ans. Harvard University does not send any additional rejection letters. Students can check the status of their application by clicking on the ‘View Update’ button in the ‘Status Update’ section of the application portal.
Ques. When should I expect my Harvard interview?
Ans. Harvard University interviews are conducted post application submission on a case to case basis. The abroad interviewers are Harvard University graduates who assist students and volunteers for the university. The location and time of application are scheduled based on the applicant's location. In most cases, the applications are considered complete without an interview.
Ques. Is 720 GMAT enough for Harvard?
Ans. Harvard University has no specific minimum GRE or GMAT score requirement. The admitted applicants have a median GMAT score of 730. Students with a GMAT score of 720 stand a mere chance of getting selected for Harvard University admission.
Ques. Does Harvard have an application fee waiver?
Ans. Harvard University offers an application fee waiver to students if the fee causes a financial hardship in their family. You can directly request for a fee waiver on satisfying the respective indicators of financial requirement through Common Application or the Coalition Application.
Ques. Can you get into Harvard with a 3.5 GPA?
Ans. Although a 3.5 GPA is competitive for international students, Harvard University expects 4.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (97-100%). Students have a slight chance of securing admission with a 3.5 GPA on demonstration of the qualities expected by the admission committee.
Ques. Is GMAT compulsory for Harvard?
Ans. Ideally, students should display GRE or GMAT score for admission to the graduate programs at Harvard University. The median GMAT score of the admitted applicants is 730, while the average GRE score is 300.
Ques. Do I need TOEFL to study at Harvard?
Ans. First year and transfer students do not need a TOEFL score for admission to Harvard. But the university accepts the TOEFL score if the applicant wishes to submit it. For the majority of the graduate programs, a TOEFL score of 104 or higher is expected. You can also submit an equivalent IELTS score as an alternative option.
Ques. Does Harvard waive TOEFL?
Ans. Harvard University mandatorily requires a TOEFL score if the native language of the applicant is other than English. There are no waivers for the TOEFL requirements. However, TOEFL scores are not compulsory for the undergraduate programs at Harvard University.
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