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Harvard University admissions

Cambridge, Massachusetts · Private · 7,601 undergrads

Harvard admitted 4.2% of applicants for fall 2025 (2,003 of 47,893, Common Data Set 2025-26). Harvard requires the SAT or ACT for fall 2027. The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent SAT scores had 1510–1580.

The numbers

Applied
47,893
fall 2025
ACT, middle 50%
33–35
enrolled first-years
Average GPA
4.22
enrolled first-years
Accept their offer
84%
of admitted students enroll
Application fee
$85
waivers exist

See your odds and what families like yours paid. It stays on your device. Add my SAT and income

Can I get into Harvard?

4.2% of applicants get in

Almost everyone who applies is turned down, including many students with perfect grades. The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent scores had 1510–1580 on the SAT.

Add your SAT to see where you sit

Likely: even the low end of our estimate is 60% or more, and the college admits at least 25% of applicants. Target: our estimate is 30% or more. Reach: our estimate is under 30%, or the college admits under 15%. Long shot: our estimate is under 12%, or the college admits under 12%. Estimates use the college's admit rate and score range plus your grades and scores. They are not a promise.

47,893 applied, 2,003 admitted, fall 2025 (Common Data Set). Scores: IPEDS fall 2024.

Does Harvard need the SAT or ACT?Required

Yes.

Required for fall 2027. Plan to take the SAT or ACT and send your best score.

Which colleges require scores

Checked on college.harvard.edu Nov 2, 2026. See the source

Early rounds and deadlines

Restrictive early action is offered: not binding, but it limits where else you can apply early.

Closed
Restrictive early action
Was due Nov 1, 2026
53days
Regular decision
Due Friday, Jan 1, 2027

Early-round numbers: Common Data Set, fall 2025.

The wait list

There is a wait list.

Common Data Set, fall 2025.

What Harvard looks at

Also considered

How hard your classes were, GPA, SAT or ACT scores, essay, recommendations, interview, activities, talent or ability, character, first in your family to go to college, A parent or relative went there, where you live, volunteering, work experience.

As Harvard rates each factor in its Common Data Set, fall 2025.

Questions people ask

What is Harvard University's acceptance rate?
Harvard admitted 4.2% of applicants for fall 2025 (2,003 of 47,893, Common Data Set 2025-26).
What SAT score do you need for Harvard University?
The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent SAT scores had 1510–1580. A quarter of them scored higher and a quarter lower, so it's a typical range, not a cutoff (IPEDS, fall 2024).
Where these numbers come from

Updated Nov 5, 2026Spot a mistake?How we get our numbers