Harvard, along with many Ivy League universities, is the pick of the bunch when it comes to universities students dream of attending. It is a private Ivy League research university as well as the oldest higher education facility in the United States and one of the most prestigious schools in the world. In this blog, we will go over how to get into Harvard.
What is Harvard University?
Harvard was founded in 1636 as Harvard College by John Harvard, a Puritan clergyman who was the school’s first benefactor. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a metropolitan suburb just outside of Boston city limits, the school is a jewel in the region’s crown. Â
Testing Scores for Admission
According to the college, the average SAT score ranges from 1520 to 1580, while the average ACT score is between 34 and 35. The average weighted GPA of acceptance is around 4.18 which means students must be in the top 5% of their graduating class. As such, GPA is just as important as the main two standardized tests.Â
Acceptance & Graduation Rate
To get into Harvard, a student’s standardized test scores and high school GPA have to be exceptional. This is reflected in the acceptance rate as it is 4%, meaning that less than a quarter of these students that apply get in. However, this school has enrolled some of the brightest students as the graduation rate is 98%.
How Are Applicants Rated?
Aside from grades, Harvard looks at three important facets of a student’s personality based on their supplemental essays and interview questions. These are growth potential, interests and achievements outside of the classroom, and personal character.
Tips to Get Into Harvard
- All Ivy Leagues, including Harvard, accept the Common App. Students should use that to their advantage by filling out the activities section.
- The Harvard acceptance rate jumps to 13% when students apply early action. Juniors should plan on applying by November 1st.Â
- Extracurricular activities are a crucial part of the application questions when applying to Harvard. Students should include about one to two extracurricular activities, which do not have to be taken at school. They can be passion projects or even volunteer work, but they should say something about a student’s character.Â
- Finally, even though the acceptance rate of Harvard is, at most, 13%, and most of the student body comprises the top 20% of Americans. This should not deter students from applying to Harvard and believing they can get accepted as long as they put in the work and get the correct grades or scores.Â
How Does Harvard Compare to Other Top Universities?
Harvard’s yield rate: the percentage of accepted students who elect to enroll, divided by the total number of students who are admitted, was 83% last year. This figure is higher than comparable Ivy League universities like Yale (69%) and Cornell (64%).
Are you or will you be attending Harvard University?
Stock up on gear to show your pride! Grab this sweatshirt, decals for your laptop, or this Harvard University pennant.
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