Admission Requirement of Harvard University

Admission Requirement of Harvard University

Acceptance Rate 5.4%

Admission Standards Elite
Applicant Competition Extreme

‘Can I get into Harvard?’ – is a common question. The acceptance rate of Harvard University is only 5.4%. Last year, out of around 40,000 students only 2,000 could make their way in Harvard. Getting in Harvard is so competitive that even students with highest scores and grades have very low chance of acceptance. The admission test scores requirement of Harvard is exceptionally high. Normally students with an ‘A’ in average in high-school are accepted in Harvard University. And the the enrollment rate out of accepted student is 79%. Which clearly indicates the how desirable Harvard University is. 

SAT Requirements

SAT Range 1480-1600
Applicants Submitting SAT 73%
 
SAT Reading 25th730
SAT Math 25th750
SAT Composite 25th1480
SAT Reading 75th800
SAT Math 75th800
SAT Composite 75th1600
SAT SCORES YOU NEED TO GET IN

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

Normally top 1% of SAT test takers can get admitted in Harvard University. The school consistently takes SAT composite scores down to 1480 on a 1600 scale, below which admission should be considered a reach. We estimate some students could be accepted with SAT’s as low as 1420. The estimated average SAT composite for admitted freshman is 1540 out of 1600. A competitive SAT score is critical as 73 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school.

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

SAT Score (1600 scale)CompetitivenessAdmission Chances
1600GOOD>8%
1540 to 1600AVG +5%-8%
1480 to 1540AVG –3%-5%
1420 to 1480REACH2%-3%
Less than 1420LOW<2%

ACT Requirements

ACT Range 32-35 
Applicants Submitting ACT 43%
 
ACT Reading 25th33
ACT Math 25th31
ACT Composite 25th32
ACT Reading 75th35
ACT Math 75th35
ACT Composite 75th35
ACT SCORES NEEDED TO GET ACCEPTED

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

Admission data indicates that Harvard regularly accepts students with ACT’s of 32 and above. Successful applicants typically send ACT scores in the top 3 percent nationally. We estimate the school accepting minimum ACT composite scores around 30 in some instances. Prospective students submitting an ACT composite of 34 or higher should be in the upper half of applicants – and students with a 35 and above have very competitive chances. 43 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Harvard University.

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

ACT ScoreCompetitivenessAdmission Chances
35 and AboveGOOD>10%
33 to 35AVG +5%-10%
32 to 33AVG –4%-5%
31 to 32REACH3%-4%
Less than 31LOW<3%

Estimated GPA Requirements

Avg. High School GPA 4.04
Typical High School Grades A
 

You will need exceptionally good grades to get into Harvard University. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at Harvard University was 4.04 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily A students are accepted and ultimately attend. Given the school’s very highly selective admissions, acceptance at Harvard extremely difficult and unlikely even with a 4.04 GPA.

High School GPAFreshmen Within RangeAdmission Chances
3.75+87%GOOD
3.50 to 3.759%REACH
3.25 to 3.502%REACH
3.00 to 3.251%REACH
2.75 to 3.001%REACH
2.50 to 2.75N/A%LOW
2.25 to 2.50N/A%LOW
2.00 to 2.25N/A%LOW

Admission Statistics

 WomenMenTotal
Applied19,23219,80939,041
Accepted1,0221,0882,110
Acceptance Rate5%5%5%
Enrolled7958681,663
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)78%80%79%

Admission Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Harvard University and what considerations affect admission decisions?

Test ScoresRequired
High School GPARecommended
High School Class RankRecommended
Completion of College Preparatory ProgramRecommended
RecommendationsRequired
Demonstration of CompetenciesNeither required nor recommended

Credits Accepted

AP CreditYes
Dual CreditNo
Credit for Life ExperiencesNo