Harvard University - Admission Requirements, SAT, ACT, GPA and chance of acceptance

Your chances of getting into Harvard University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted

3.2%

Admission Difficulty for Harvard University
Measure	Difficulty
Admission Standards		Elite
Applicant Competition		Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Harvard is 3.2%. Its admission rate is the lowest in Massachusetts and the 4th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Harvard and can you get accepted?

Harvard is an extremely competitive school to get into and is highly selective who it accepts. You have a very low chance of acceptance even even if you meet the admission criteria. It's critical that you meet their GPA requirements to get past the first round of consideration. Last year, only 1,984 out of the 61,221 who applied were admitted.

Harvard University typically accepts and attracts "A/A+" average high school students with an average GPA around 4.0. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. Of those applicants who were admitted, 83% elected to enroll. This indicates that the school is the top choice for most students who apply.

Can you get into Harvard?

3% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Harvard University you should:

Have a high school GPA of 4.0 or better
Earn A/A+ grades in high school
Score 1540 on the SAT
Score 35 on the ACT
Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

Harvard GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA

4.0

Typical High School Grades

A/A+

What GPA do you need to get into Harvard University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Harvard are to have around a 4.0 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Given the school's very highly selective admissions, acceptance at Harvard extremely difficult and unlikely even with a 4.0 GPA. The school should be considered a reach even if you have a 4.0 GPA. If your grades do not meet the GPA requirements, you will have very little chance of being considered for admission.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Harvard is 4.0 on the 4.0 scale. 76% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A/A+ letter grades and regularly score around 97-100 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #1 in Massachusetts for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Harvard is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Harvard University students
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	75.76%	Avg +
3.75 to 3.99	18.02%	Avg -
3.50 to 3.74	4.0%	Reach
3.25 to 3.49	1.79%	Reach
3.00 to 3.24	0.32%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	0.11%	Low
2.00 to 2.49	0%	Low
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

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Harvard SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Harvard University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 55% of students submitted SAT scores and 28% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range

1490-1580

Applicants Submitting SAT

55%

SAT Scores for Harvard University
SAT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	730
Math 25th Percentile	760
Composite 25th Percentile	1490

SAT Scores for Harvard University
SAT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	780
Math 75th Percentile	800
Composite 75th Percentile	1580
Average SAT Score	1540

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Harvard is 1540 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1490-1580. Students who get into Harvard University score in the top 1 percent of all SAT test takers.. Harvard ranks #2 in the state of Massachusetts and #8 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1540 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Harvard regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1490 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1490, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1440, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Harvard University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1540 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1535, you have around a 3% chance of being admitted. A 1580 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 6% chance of getting in.

Harvard University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1580 and Above	Good	>6%
1535 to 1580	Avg +	3%-6%
1490 to 1535	Avg -	2%-3%
1445 to 1490	Reach	1%-2%
Less than 1445	Low	<1%

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Harvard ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range

34-36

Applicants Submitting ACT

28%

ACT Scores for Harvard University
ACT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	35
Math 25th Percentile	32
Composite 25th Percentile	34

ACT Scores for Harvard University
ACT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	36
Math 75th Percentile	35
Composite 75th Percentile	36
Average ACT Score	35

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

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

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Harvard is 35, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 34 and 36. The school ranks #1 in Massachusetts and #3 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 35. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 34 and score in the score in the top 1 percent nationally.

28 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Harvard University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Harvard University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Harvard for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 35 score has around 3% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 6% with a 36 ACT score.

Harvard University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
36	Good	>6%
35 to 36	Avg +	3%-6%
34 to 35	Avg -	2%-3%
33 to 34	Reach	1%-2%
Less than 33	Low	<1%

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High School Class Rank

94% of Harvard University freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Harvard University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	94%
Top 25% of class	98%
Top 50% of class	100%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Harvard University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	33,197	28,024	61,221
Accepted	1,076	908	1,984
Acceptance Rate	3%	3%	3%
Enrolled	906	740	1,646
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	84%	81%	83%

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

Applicants have 55 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jan 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Harvard University is $85.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Harvard University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Harvard University Application Requirements
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Harvard University
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	No
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Harvard is extremely competitive, you have a very low likelihood of acceptance. It is critical that you earn at least a 4.0 GPA to have any chance. Additionally, you need to score at least a 1540 on the SAT and optimally 1580 to put yourself in a competitive position. For ACT scores, you should really strive for a 35 to have the best chance of getting in.