Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
Acceptance rate
3.6%
Tuition
$59,950/year
Cost total
~$82,000/year
Room & board
$21,400/year
Application fee
$85 (fee waivers available)
QS Rank
#4 (2025)
Financial Aid
Meets 100% of demonstrated need; avg aid package around $56,000/year; families earning below $85K usually pay nothing.
Scholarships
- Harvard Scholarship (need-based)
- No merit scholarships for undergrad
Admission & Deadlines
Holistic admission (Common App + Harvard supplement). Early Action: Nov 1. Regular Decision: Jan 1.
Test Requirements
SAT 1500-1580 or ACT 34-36 (mid-50%), currently test-optional. Very strong GPA and rigorous courses expected.
Essays & Recommendations
Common App essay + Harvard short essays. 2 teacher recommendations + 1 counselor recommendation.
Extracurriculars & Interview
Leadership, research and measurable impact matter. Alumni interview is informational and usually offered.
Housing
On-campus housing guaranteed for all 4 years; first year in Yard dorms, then House system.
Step-by-step application plan
- Create Common App account and select Harvard.
- Ask for recommendations early (teachers + counselor).
- Prepare SAT/ACT if you choose to submit scores.
- Draft and refine Common App + supplement essays.
- Submit application by Nov 1 (EA) or Jan 1 (RD).
- Submit CSS Profile + FAFSA for financial aid.
Undergraduate Programmes
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Government
- Biology
- Mathematics
- Psychology
- Physics
- Environmental Science
Graduate Programmes
- MBA (HBS)
- JD
- MD
- MPA/MPP
- MEd
- PhD programmes