Getting into college can be difficult, but what about getting into Harvard University? Is it really as difficult as they say? Well, yes – it is quite tough to get accepted to Harvard! Here’s why and how you can work to increase your chances of getting an acceptance letter from this Ivy League.
How Hard is it To Get intoHarvard?
Flickr user Ian Lamont
Harvard University is one of the most difficult schools to get accepted to in the United States. Harvard College, the school for undergraduates, had an acceptance rate of only 5% in the 2020 admissions cycle. Out of the 40,248 applications they received, a mere 2,015 would be accepted. Just under 70% would take Harvard’s offer, too, and attend the Ivy League the following fall.
Why Is It So Difficult?
It’s so difficult to get into Harvard because of the sheer number of well-equipped and well-educated students trying to get in! The school regularly ranks in the top 5 in the country and employers are impressed if you have a degree from there. So, there’s no doubt that thousands of students like yourself try to get in each year.
Harvard simply doesn’t have the room to accept the over 40,000 applicants, even if every single one surpassed the expectations of the admissions board!
How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Accepted to Harvard?
Going above and beyond is one of the best ways you can increase your chances of getting an acceptance letter from Harvard University. Here are a few tips:
Work On Your GPA
Most schools use a weighted 4.0 GPA scale, and the average for accepted Harvard students is 4.18! That means you have to work extra hard to get straight A’s, on top of taking difficult classes to show you can handle the workload. They’re looking for students who are at the top of their graduating class.
That doesn’t mean you won’t get accepted if you don’t have a GPA above 4.0, but you will have to work a little extra in other areas. Keep in mind whether or not your school uses a weighted or unweighted GPA, too.
Improve Your ACT or SAT
The ACT or SAT isn’t like an IQ test. There is room for improvement. And Harvard is looking for an ACT Composite of 33 to 36 or an SAT Combined of 1,460 to 1,570. If your GPA is a little lower, you can make up some points here by scoring extremely well.
Participate in Extracurriculars
Competitive schools like the Ivy Leagues aren’t just looking for top grades – they want to see you giving back to your community and participating in things outside of the classroom. Join clubs, sports, or other programs you’re interested in – even during your downtime, like during the summer – and put in the legwork. You should be aiming to show off your achievements while also reaching important positions like those in leadership.
Put In Extra Effort With Your Application
Even if you’ve checked off the last three boxes, that doesn’t mean you should phone it in on your application. You need a solid submission to still impress the admissions department, and they will notice if you don’t put your best foot forward.
That means preparing for the admissions interview, honing your college essay, and asking teachers or professionals you trust and know the work you’ve put in to write your letters of recommendation. They use the Common App so you can get a head start by knowing what they’re asking for ahead of time.
Getting into Harvard, or any of the Ivy Leagues for that matter, is no easy feat. Taking steps as soon as possible though can help increase your chances of getting that coveted acceptance letter.
Curious about Harvard University, your admissions chances? Here’s what to expect if you get accepted? Check out our page on the school to get all the information you need.
FAQs
Harvard University is one of the most difficult schools to get accepted to in the United States. Harvard College, the school for undergraduates, had an acceptance rate of only 5% in the 2020 admissions cycle. Out of the 40,248 applications they received, a mere 2,015 would be accepted.
What is the #1 hardest school to get into? ›
Niche, a ranking and review site, recently published its list of the “2023 Hardest Colleges to Get Into.” Using data from the U.S. Department of Education on various colleges' acceptance rates and SAT/ACT scores, they found, unsurprisingly, Harvard University to be the most difficult college to get into.
What is the easiest program to get into Harvard? ›
Harvard Divinity School, Harvard School of Education and arguably Harvard Law School are the "easiest" if you don't consider Harvard Extension that is actually "easy" to get in, hard to get out. Of course, it all depends on what exactly you want to do.
What's the hardest Ivy League to get into? ›
1. Harvard University. The most challenging Ivy League school to get into is Harvard, established in 1636 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. According to Harvard Admissions, only 2,008 out of 43,330 candidates were accepted to the college.
What's the easiest Ivy League school to get into? ›
Cornell is considered the "easiest" Ivy League to get into because it has the highest Ivy League acceptance rate. While it's easier, statistically speaking, to get into Cornell, it's still challenging. It's also important to remember that students apply directly to one of Cornell's eight undergraduate colleges.
What GPA is required for Harvard? ›
In truth, you need close to a 4.0 unweighted GPA to get into Harvard. That means nearly straight As in every class while also taking the highest rigor classes available at your high school.
Is Princeton harder than Harvard? ›
In contrast, Harvard's acceptance rate for the same year was slightly lower, at 3.2% of applicants for the Class of 2026. This number shows that the acceptance rates for Harvard and Princeton are nearly identical, with Harvard maintaining the smallest edge when it comes to selectivity.
Can a 3.7 GPA get me into Harvard? ›
Can I Get Into Harvard With a 3.7 GPA? Harvard is highly competitive, so it may be challenging to get in with a 3.7 GPA. The average GPA for entering Harvard students is 3.9.
Can I get into Harvard with a 1.0 GPA? ›
For example, Harvard states they don't have a minimum GPA requirement, but the average GPA of students accepted to Harvard is 3.9, and the average MCAT score is 520.59. While Harvard says they take the complete background of each applicant into account, high grades are clearly a critical factor.
Can I realistically get into Harvard? ›
The acceptance rate at Harvard is 3.2%.
For every 100 applicants, only 3 are admitted. This means the school is extremely selective. Meeting their GPA requirements and SAT/ACT requirements is very important to getting past their first round of filters and proving your academic preparation.
Dartmouth College (/ˈdɑːrtməθ/; DART-məth) is a private Ivy League research university in Hanover, New Hampshire. Established in 1769 by Eleazar Wheelock, Dartmouth is one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution.
Which ivy is the most stressful? ›
In general, Ivy League students can be more susceptible to high levels of stress. College Magazine named Harvard the most stressful college in the country, and Surviving Ivy claims Ivy League students can be up to three times more likely to experience anxiety and stress than the average college student.
Is Stanford harder than Harvard? ›
Is Stanford Harder to Get Into Than Harvard? Being an Ivy League school, most would assume that Harvard is more difficult to get into. However, both schools are quite prestigious and have a very selective admission process. Both schools admit less than 4% of hopeful applicants.
What is the happiest Ivy League? ›
Brown regularly ranks highly on lists of happiest colleges, perhaps due to its relatively relaxed environment. Brown students are also given free access to museums and other cultural centers in Providence that enrich the student experience. Have you started writing the essay for Brown?
Which high school sends the most students to Harvard? ›
In total, one out of every 20 Harvard freshmen attended one of the seven high schools most represented in the class of 2017—Boston Latin, Phillips Academy in Andover, Stuyvesant High School, Noble and Greenough School, Phillips Exeter Academy, Trinity School in New York City, and Lexington High School.
Which Ivy League is the cheapest? ›
A. Princeton is often acknowledged as the “most affordable Ivy” due to its commitment to extensive financial aid offerings.
What is the #1 college in the US? ›
The top 10 colleges in the US according to U.S. News' Best National University Rankings are: #1 Princeton University. #2 Columbia University, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. #5 Yale University.
What is the #1 university in the world? ›
World University Rankings
| Rank | University | |
|---|
| 1 | Harvard University | North America |
| 2 | Stanford University | North America |
| 3 | California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | North America |
| 4 | Peking University | Asia |
53 more rows1. Princeton University is a private Ivy League research university located in Princeton, New Jersey.
