Harvard University has produced 151 Nobel Prize winners, more than any other university in the world. Notable alumni include John F. Kennedy, Barack Obama, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg. So it’s not surprising that Harvard is one of the most coveted educational institutions globally.
This also means that competition is fierce and getting into Harvard is tough. You need to meet the stringent Harvard GPA requirements, as well as meeting other tough criteria in order to be successful.
In 2020, Harvard received 40,248 applications. Out of all these, only 1,980 applications were successful. This translates to an admit rate of 4.9%, one of the toughest in the US.
The good news? You can be one of those few successful candidates if you are determined, well-prepared, and work hard to meet the requirements, whatever it takes. Read on to learn about the Harvard GPA score requirements, SAT requirements, and other factors that will help you get into Harvard.
What Does it Take to Get into Harvard?
Applying to Harvard as an undergraduate involves submitting:
- An official application (the Common Application, Universal College Application, or the Coalition Application)
- Answers to Harvard’s supplemental questions
- Midyear school report (showing your GPA)
- Two teacher evaluations
- SAT or ACT score
- Optional additional material which can help your application (such as academic samples, artwork, or pieces of music)
Let’s take a closer look at some of these elements to give you a better idea of whether you’ll be able to get into Harvard, and what it will take to be successful.
Harvard GPA Requirements
If you want to attend this prestigious institution, probably the first thing you’re wondering is what GPA is required for Harvard. Harvard does not explicitly give any cut-off level for the Grade Point Average (GPA). Their admissions office says that “there’s no formula for gaining admission to Harvard.” However, it’s unlikely that your application will be successful if you don’t have a strong GPA.
If you want to get into Harvard, you should aim for a GPA of at least 4.0. The average GPA of successful Harvard applicants is around 3.9 unweighted, which translates into a 4.15 weighted GPA. (A weighted GPA takes into account extra points for honors or Advanced Placement courses.)
This doesn’t mean that if you have a GPA under 3.9 you’ll automatically be rejected. You may still be successful if the other areas of your application are strong enough. In particular, a high SAT score can help to compensate for a lower GPA.
Harvard SAT Requirements
Though your high school GPA is the most important academic aspect of your application to Harvard, you also need to have good SAT scores. So, what SAT score is required for Harvard? There is no easy answer to this as, like the GPA, Harvard admissions does not have a set SAT cut-off.
However, it is worth noting that:
- A SAT score of 1460 would put you in the 25th percentile of Harvard applicants
- A SAT score of 1580 would put you in the 75th percentile of applicants
Simply put, if you have a SAT score of 1580, you’ll be above the average applicant and in a stronger position. On the other hand, if you have a 1460, you’ll be at the below-average range of the cohort.
If you are using an ACT score instead, you’ll want your ACT to be in the range of 33 to 35. A 36 would be ideal!
Personal Essay
Besides your GPA and SAT or ACT scores, you will have to submit a personal essay. This is one area where you make a positive impression on the admissions committee. This should be short — around 500 to 600 words — as well as succinct, relevant, and genuine.
There is also an optional supplemental essay that you may choose to submit, and can help to strengthen your application. You can also improve your chances by supplying optional samples of your academic or creative work.
Other than these requirements, your chances are improved if you have an excellent extracurricular record. Harvard graduate Veronica Wickline says that 25% of the committee’s decision depends on how strong you are in areas outside your academic studies.
How Much Does it Cost to Study at Harvard?
Studying at Harvard will cost you over $70,000 a year once you take into account not only tuition but also room and board and other fees.
However, there are many financial aid schemes and loans offered to deserving students. The institution promises every admitted student that their financial status will not keep them from pursuing their studies.
According to Harvard, around 55% of students receive some form of financial aid at Harvard, and 20% of students pay nothing at all.
These financial schemes apply to both local and international students alike. Students can ask for their case to be reconsidered by the Financial Aid Committee if their situation changes and they need more support. There is also a Beneficiary Aid Program that the students can use to meet emergency medical expenses.
What are My Chances of Getting into Harvard?
The students that get into Harvard demonstrate a mix of academic excellence and extracurricular brilliance. Harvard looks for individuals with overall value and not just academic knowledge. There are no set rules or cut offs when it comes to GPAs or SATs.
However, to be a strong applicant, you should have:
- A GPA of at least 4.0
- An SAT score of 1580 or higher, especially if you’re compensating for a lower GPA
- A compelling personal essay
Having a clear vision for your future and knowing what you want to do after graduation, and expressing this in your essay will give you an edge over other applicants.
Additionally, if your application shows growth, potential, excellent character and personality, and a promise to contribute something valuable, you stand a better chance of getting into Harvard.
Here are some other ways to improve your chances of being successful when applying to Harvard:
- Proof of excellence in sports, music, leadership, or other extra-curricular activities.
- Advanced courses or studies outside of your high school will also make you a more attractive candidate as it shows your enthusiasm for intellectual growth.
- Demonstrating a passion for community service can also help you to stand out.
Final Thoughts
Over the last three years, Harvard’s acceptance rate has been between 4% and 5%, giving it one of the lowest acceptance rates in the country. This makes applying for Harvard highly competitive, but getting in is not impossible.
Your application will need to be strong in a range of areas: like most colleges, your GPA and SAT scores need to be good and you’ll also need a compelling personal essay.
But if you want to stand out from the thousands of other students applying to Harvard, you also need to shine in other areas such as your extra-curricular activities, community service, leadership, or advanced courses.
On the one hand, this means it takes a lot of work to put together a successful application to Harvard. But on the upside, if you feel like your application is lacking in certain aspects, you can make up for this in other areas. For example, you can compensate for a lower GPA with excellent SAT scores.
Start preparing early, work hard, and pay attention to all aspects of your application. Though Harvard is a dream for many, there is no reason why you should not be that one successful applicant in 20 if you do the right things in the right way!
For more advice, check out our guide on how to get into Harvard.
Lisa Marlin
Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.
