Harvard University is a private, Ivy League research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. When Harvard College was founded in 1636, its first sponsor, a Puritan clergyman by the name of John Harvard, gave it his name. Thanks to its stature, wealth, and influence, it is currently one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

The establishment of Harvard College to educate congregational pastors received approval from the Massachusetts colonial legislature. Its curriculum and student body experienced secularisation throughout the 18th century. By the 19th century, the Boston elite regarded Harvard as the most esteemed intellectual and cultural institution. Charles William Eliot founded a number of associated professional schools during the American Civil War, developing them into cutting-edge research institutions. After the war, James B. Conant liberalised admissions while still overseeing the university during both the Great Depression and World War II.

One of the university’s eleven academic colleges, the Harvard Radcliffe Institute offers study in a wide range of undergraduate and graduate academic fields. The three main campuses of Harvard include the 209-acre Cambridge campus, which is centred on Harvard Yard, and the medical campus, which is located in the city’s Longwood Medical District. With a $50.9 billion endowment, Harvard is able to accept students regardless of their financial situation and offer financial aid without the need for borrowing.

Eight US presidents, 49 Nobel laureates, 48 Pulitzer Prize winners, seven Fields Medalists, members of Congress, MacArthur Fellows, Rhodes Scholars, Marshall Scholars, and Fulbright Scholars are just a few of the world leaders who have attended Harvard. The highest number of surviving billionaires of any institution—188—and fourteen Turing Prize winners are among its alumni. Students and alumni have founded numerous well-known companies and won 110 Olympic medals, including 46 golds, 48 Pulitzer Prizes, and 10 Academy Awards, in addition to launching several successful enterprises.

Explore Programs Available at Harvard

Browse the graduate and undergraduate degrees offered by Harvard’s 13 Schools and learn more about admissions requirements, scholarship, and financial aid opportunities. We also offer executive education, certificate programs, and online courses for professional and lifelong learners.

• African and African American Studies
• Anthropology
• Applied Mathematics
• Art, Film, and Visual Studies
• Astrophysics
• Bioengineering
• Biology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Business Administration and Management
• Chemical and Physical Biology
• Chemistry
• Chemistry and Physics
• Classics
• Comparative Literature
• Comparative Study of Religion

• Computer Science
• Earth and Planetary Sciences
• East Asian Studies
• Economics
• Electrical Engineering
• Engineering Sciences
• EnglishEnvironmental Science and Engineering
• Environmental Science and Public Policy
• Environmental Studies
• Folklore and Mythology
• Germanic Languages and Literatures
• Government
• Government
• History

• History and Literature
• History and Science
• History of Art and Architecture
• Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology
• Integrative Biology
• International Relations
• Linguistics
• Literature
• Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Molecular and Cellular Biology
• Music
• Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations
• Neuroscience

• Philosophy
• Physics
• Psychology
• Religion

• Romance Languages and Literatures
• Slavic Languages and Literatures
• Social Studies
• Sociology
• South Asian Studies
• Special Concentrations
• Statistics
• Theater, Dance, & Media
• Women, Gender, and Sexuality

Admissions

The Future is Calling

Harness your curiosity and learn about the world—and yourself. Through our liberal arts and sciences curriculum, you’ll discover how to use your passions to build a bright future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Paying the admissions application fee is a hardship for my family. Can I get a waiver?

We are committed to making the application process accessible for all students. If the admissions application fee presents a hardship for you or your family and you plan on applying for financial aid, the fee will be waived. Please follow the steps below to request a fee waiver:

Common Application

1. Select “Yes” when asked “Do you feel that your financial circumstances might qualify you for an application fee waiver?” Confirm that you meet at least one of the indicators of economic need.
2. If you do not meet one of the indicators of economic need, select “You can provide a supporting statement from a school official, college access counselor, financial aid officer, or community leader.” Harvard will not ask you to provide a supporting statement and your application will not be penalized if you select this option.

Coalition Application, Powered by Scoir

1. Confirm that you meet at least one of the indicators of economic need listed in the Fee Waiver section of your Profile.
2. If you do not meet one of the indicators of economic need, you may enter the Harvard-specific fee waiver code on the payment page: JH3S5Q2LX9

Transfer Applicants

1. Please see the Transfer Application Requirements for information about requesting a transfer application fee waiver.

• What admissions criteria do you use?
  There is no formula for gaining admission to Harvard. Academic accomplishment in high school is important, but the Admissions Committee also considers many other criteria, such as community involvement, leadership and distinction in extracurricular activities, and personal qualities and character. We rely on teachers, counselors, and alumni to share information with us about an applicant’s strength of character, his or her ability to overcome adversity, and other personal qualities.
• How can I track material that I’ve sent your office?
  For prospective students, given the tremendous volume of material sent to our office , we are unable to confirm receipt. Rest assured that if we discover we are missing necessary financial aid application materials or have any questions we will be in contact with you (by email or phone) after the student is admitted. Current and admitted students can always check the status of their application on my.harvard.
• How can I add new accomplishments/awards/accolades to my submitted application?

Apply

On this page

• Overview
• Starting an Application
• Application Requirements
• Timeline
• What We Look For
• Application Tips
• U.S. Military Veterans
• International Applicants

Overview

We consider each application with care.

When reading an application, we get to know the person behind the numbers. We take into consideration your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, personal qualities, and life experiences. Just as there is no typical Harvard student, there is no ideal Harvard applicant. We look forward to learning more about you.

Frequently asked questions about applying

• Have my application materials been received? (Including Common Application forms, or supplemental materials)
  Upon receipt of your application, we will send you a confirmation email with instructions on how to access the Applicant Portal. This portal allows you to view your record in our applicant database, to see which pieces of your application we’ve received and processed, and to make other changes to your application.
  The data is updated nightly from the main admissions database and has the most up-to-date information available from our office. If you have sent us required materials that are shown in your status as not received, it is possible that those documents are being processed (along with thousands of others) in our office and simply have not yet made it to your file. Though we can not track each individual’s materials upon request, we will conduct a thorough scrutiny of all files prior to committee evaluations. You will be contacted if you are missing required documents, and you will be given the opportunity to re-submit them without penalty.
• How can I add new accomplishments/awards/accolades to my submitted application?
  We understand that you might receive new recognitions or awards after you’ve submitted your application. We welcome the submission of this additional notable information. You may upload information about notable accomplishments and awards using the Applicant Portal.
• When do I need to submit test scores if I want them considered in my application?
  We are test optional for this admissions cycle. If you decide to submit scores for consideration, they need to be reported by the following deadlines: Scores from applicants applying for our Restrictive Early Action program must be reported by the end of November. Scores from applicants applying for our Regular Decision program must be reported by the end of February.
• Do I need to complete an alumni interview for my first-year application?
  Applicants are assigned interviews at the discretion of the Admissions Committee, based, in part, on availability of alumni in your local area. Nearly 10,000 alumni/ae volunteers help us recruit students from all 50 states and around the world, but most areas do not have the capacity to interview all applicants. Your application is considered complete without an interview and will receive a full and thorough evaluation. In most cases, the Admissions Committee has sufficient information in the student’s application materials to reach an admissions decision. If the Committee would like more information about a student or has questions about any application materials, someone may reach out to schedule an interview.

Starting an Application

For all first-year and transfer applicants, your first step will be to fill out and submit an application. You can do so through the Common Application which opens on August 1 or the Coalition Application – Powered by Scoir, which opens on September 1.

We have no preference and each application is treated equally by the Admissions Committee.

Common Application

Apply Coalition, Powered by Scoir

Application Requirements

All applicants—both international and U.S. candidates, first-year and transfer—must complete the following application components:

• Common Application or apply Coalition, Powered by Scoir
• Harvard College Questions for the Common Application, or Coalition Application Harvard supplement
• $85 fee (or request a fee waiver)
• SAT or ACT (with or without writing) – optional for 2022-2026 application cycles
• Optional: AP or other examination results
• For first-year:
  • School Report (which includes a counselor letter) and high school transcript
  • Teacher Report (2)
  • Midyear School Report (after your first semester grades)
  • Final School Report (for admitted students only)
• For transfer:
  • College/Dean’s/Registrar’s report
  • Official College Transcript
  • College Instructor Recommendations (2)
  • Official High School Transcript

Click below to learn more about each component.

First-Year Applicants

Transfer Applicants

Visiting Undergraduate Students

Timeline

Timeline

We encourage you to start planning for your college applications as early as possible. For many students, this means beginning the process during the spring of Junior year in high school. Starting early will help to ease any stress that might arise later in the process.

Quick Links

• First-Year Application Timeline
• Transfer Application Timeline
• Visiting Undergraduate Students Timeline
• Preparing for College

Admissions Deadlines

November 1

Restrictive Early Action application deadline – learn more about Restrictive Early Action.

January 1

Regular Decision application deadline

March 1

Transfer application deadline