The Harvard University Application process starts in September for all the programs. For the master's or postgraduate programs, the deadline for the application form along with all application materials is due on December 1, December 15, or January 2. Application deadlines for masters vary by the program of study. The candidates must review the program page to find the deadline that applies to them.

The Deadline to submit the Harvard Application form 2022 for the Undergraduate program is November 1 for the Restrictive Early Action Application and January 1 for Regular Decision Application. The application deadline for submitting the test scores is October 31 for Restrictive Early Action and January 1 for Regular Decision Application.

What’s the admission timeline at Harvard University?

Harvard University advises starting the application process as soon as possible. Harvard University can take up to 3 weeks to process application material if submitted by mail.

Masters or Postgraduate Application

For master’s degree programs, Harvard University accepts applications for the fall intake only. The admission committee requires all supporting materials and required components to be submitted electronically as part of the application.

Harvard University starts the application process in September for its master's programs. The deadline for its applications is program-specific, the candidates must check the degree program of interest for the relevant deadline. Most of these programs give admission results by March 15.

Undergraduate Application

After completing the application as per the deadlines, the restrictive early action and regular decision candidates are notified by mid-December and by the end of March, respectively.

Harvard University Admission Statistics 2022

For Harvard University Admission 2022, the acceptance rate hit a record low with 4.59 per cent of applicants accepted to the Harvard Class of 2022. International applicants made up 12 per cent of admitted students, up from 11.4 per cent last year.

What are the documents required to submit the Harvard University Application?

Supplementary Documents for all the programs

• Transcripts- Harvard University asks for an official transcript to evaluate the candidate’s academic performance. The Final School Report and transcript should be completed and sent by a school counsellor or other school official. The average GPA of admitted students at Harvard is 3.9 (unweighted).
• Letters of Recommendation- Harvard University asks for 2-3 recommendation letters by the teachers or counsellors of the student. Students should choose a teacher who knows them well and can comment on their personal qualities as well as academics.
• Statement of Purpose- For SoP, Harvard University requires students to submit their original work. It should be typed, double-spaced, and no more than 1,500 words. The SoP must not be translated and should be written in English. The admissions committee carefully considers both the content and the writing in the essay. The word limit can be 1000 words.
• Language Proficiency Tests- Excellent command of spoken and written English is essential to success in studying at Harvard. Applicants who are non-native English speakers can demonstrate English proficiency in one of three ways – IELTS- 6.5, TOEFL- 80, or PTE- 75.

Masters or Postgraduate Test requirements

• GRE/GMAT Scores- The requirement of GRE/GMAT scores is as per the selected program. For some programs, GRE/GMAT scores are optional.
• There is no minimum or maximum exam scores required for admission. However, the average GMAT score for Harvard's class of 2022 was 730. Also, on average, the GRE scores of admitted applicants range from about 155 to 166 for Verbal and 155 to 170 for Quant, with many programs wanting scores in the 160s, or the top 10-15 per cent.

Undergraduate Test requirements

• Standardised Test Scores- Harvard University accepts standardised test scores from either the SAT or ACT (with or without writing). However, the students applying for college classes of 2027-2030, can submit the application form without standardised test scores.

Harvard University Application Process

To apply to Harvard University, the applicants- both international and domestic students must fill out the application form along with the required supplements. The application process at Harvard University is easy yet time-consuming.

Harvard University has a different application process for bachelor's and master's programs and different processes depending on which faculty the candidate is applying for. The candidate can start the process by filling out the application form at the online application portal. Harvard University also accepts applications through mail, however, the online applications are processed faster.

To apply for a master's program at Harvard University, follow these steps:

Step 1: Go to the official website of Harvard University graduate school (depending on the subject you’re applying for) and click on “Apply”.
Step 2: Under Application Deadlines, go to the program of study and check the application deadline of your chosen program. Application deadlines are different for each subject area.
Step 3: The Candidates need to create an account and fill in all the information given in the left column and submit the required documents.
Step 4: After filling out all the required information, you need to submit the application fee of $105 online.

To apply for an Undergraduate or Bachelor’s program at Harvard University, follow these 10 steps:

Both the Common Application and the Coalition Application are treated equally by the Admissions Committee.

Applying through the Common Application-

Step 1: Start the application by making your profile. In the profile section, you need to share detailed information about yourself, including contact information, demographics, and fee waiver request.
Step 2: Harvard application fee waiver- If the fee presents a hardship for you or your family, you can also request a fee waiver, if they meet at least one of the indicators of economic need. Each applicant applying with a fee waiver needs to select an option for a need-based fee waiver. They need to select “Yes” when asked, “Do you feel that your financial circumstances might qualify you for an application fee waiver?”
Step 3: In the family section, the applicants need to share information about their household, their parents, and siblings.

Step 4: In the Education section, share information about your current school or coursework, academic honours, and future education plans.
*In this section, try to highlight the achievements or awards you have received.
Step 5: The Testing section is where you'll enter your self-reported scores for any standardised tests (SAT or ACT) that you've taken and wish to report to colleges. Standardised test scores are optional for the College Classes of 2027-2030.
As an international student, you may need to prove your language proficiency. Harvard requires a strong knowledge of English, including the ability to understand and express thoughts quickly and clearly.
Step 6: In the activities section, you can share more about who you are and the activities you're involved with outside the classroom. You may list up to ten activities.
Step 7: Harvard requires the submission of a personal essay with your application. The personal essay needs to be compelling to the admissions committee. Students may talk about their background, identity, interest, or talent. Coalition essay questions may differ.
Step 8: These are Harvard-specific questions. The applicants need to discuss their academic, extracurricular, and personal interests.
Step 9: Applicants can use this space in a variety of ways. They may choose a topic as per their preference. Some of the topics that candidates write about-

• Unusual circumstances in life
• Travel, living, or working experiences in their own or other communities
• What they would want their future college roommate to know about them
• A list of books they’ve read during the past twelve months

Step 10: Pay the application cost of $75 (if not opted for the fee waiver) and submit the application file at the common application portal.

Does Harvard University interview everyone?

After the candidates complete their application process and submit the required documents- test scores, transcripts, and personal essays- successfully, Harvard University sends them an email confirmation with a PIN to access the Applicant Portal. Most applicants receive their confirmation email the day after they submit their online application. Applications sent in the mail will take up to two weeks to process.

Harvard University reaches out to the students if they would like to schedule an interview. The applicants do not need to take any additional actions to set up an admissions interview. If an interview cannot be arranged, the candidate will not be at a disadvantage during the application process. More than 15,000 Harvard graduates typically serve as alumni interviewers each year.

Before the interview, the interviewee knows only the basics- full name, phone number, email address, and high school. Nonetheless, each alumnus later produces a report evaluating the pros and cons of the high schooler they spent roughly 60 minutes getting to know. The candidates can go through the handbook that details what criteria the interviewers use to judge applicants - as well as the essentials of how Harvard University wants these conversations to go down.

Does Harvard University email decisions?

Harvard University posts admission decisions at the Applicant Portal. Most applicants receive an email reminding them to check their portal and view their decision about 15 minutes after decisions are released.

After logging in, the candidate will see a crimson-coloured banner with "Status Update". They need to click on that banner to view their letter.

Harvard university's application process is highly selective. While evaluating the application, Harvard considers the candidate’s academic achievements, extracurricular activities, personal qualities, and life experiences.

Harvard University Financial Aid

The financial aid policies of Harvard University are the same for all applicants, regardless of nationality or citizenship. All aid is based on financial need, and admissions decisions are made without regard to whether an applicant has applied for financial assistance.

To apply, the applicant needs to submit a CSS Profile and an IDOC Packet.

To get the financial aid by the time of admission, the applicant must submit the financial aid application form before the deadlines.

What is the deadline for applying for financial aid?

• Restrictive Early Action Application- November 1
• Regular Decision Application- February 1

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