Harvard University
Cambridge, MA · private nonprofit
Official site ↗Admissions
| Admit rate | 3.7% |
| Applicants | 54,008 |
| Middle-50% SAT | 1500–1580 |
| Middle-50% ACT | 34–36 |
| Avg GPA | — |
| Test policy | — |
| Avg net price / yr | $16,816 |
| Grad rate | 97% |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $101,817 |
| Source | cds · 2024 |
Application requirements
| Restrictive EA | 2025-11-01 |
| Regular / Rolling | 2026-01-01 |
| Application fee | $90 (US) · $90 (intl) |
| Personal essay | Required |
| Portfolio | Via SlideRoom |
| Test policy | always required |
| Teacher recommendations | 2 |
| Counselor recommendation | Required |
| Mid-year report | Required |
Source: Common App first-year Requirements Grid, 2025-26 cycle. Confirm on the college's site — requirements can change mid-cycle.
Supplemental essays
~100 words each.
- Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a diverse student body. How will the life experiences that shape who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard?
- 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?
- Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are.
- How do you hope to use your Harvard education in the future?
- Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.
Copied verbatim from the school's official admissions page (2025-26 cycle).