Thinking about applying Early Action to Harvard. Is it really more competitive than Regular Decision, or does it just seem that way because everyone tries it?
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Early Action at Harvard is extremely selective, with acceptance rates typically ranging between 13-15% compared to the 3-4% acceptance rate for Regular Decision. However, these statistics can be misleading because Early Action tends to attract a particularly strong pool of applicants, including recruited athletes, legacy students, and exceptionally qualified candidates who have identified Harvard as their clear first choice.
The higher acceptance rate during Early Action doesn't necessarily mean it's easier to get in. Early Action applicants often present stronger academic profiles and more compelling achievements than the general applicant pool. These students have typically planned their Harvard application well in advance, ensuring their standardized test scores, essays, and overall applications are polished and complete by the November deadline.
Harvard's Restricted Early Action program is single-choice, meaning you cannot apply early to other private universities, though you can apply to public institutions. This policy ensures applicants are genuinely committed to Harvard as their top choice. The early round also often includes many legacy applicants and recruited athletes, who traditionally have higher acceptance rates.
When deciding whether to apply Early Action to Harvard, consider whether your application will be as strong as possible by the November deadline. This includes having completed standardized tests, secured strong teacher recommendations, and crafted compelling essays. Remember that applying early won't compensate for an application that needs more time to strengthen. If you need the additional months to improve your profile, Regular Decision might be the better choice.
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