Harvard Admission Requirements
Harvard GPA and SAT Requirements
Admission Statistics
Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
Applied | 20,212 | 20,036 | 40,248 |
Accepted | 1,041 | 974 | 2,015 |
Acceptance Rate | 5% | 5% | 5% |
Enrolled | 733 | 674 | 1,407 |
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 70% | 69% | 70% |
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2020 starting class
Acceptance Rate 5%
How hard is it to get into Harvard and can I get accepted? The acceptance rate at Harvard is 5% ranking #1 in Massachusetts for lowest rate of acceptance. Last year, 2,015 out of 40,248 applicants were admitted making Harvard an extremely competitive school to get into with a very low chance of acceptance – even for applicants with the highest scores and grades.
The school has exceptionally high admission requirements for SAT and ACT scores, generally admitting students who score in the top 2 percent (SAT 1460/1580 ACT 33/35). Harvard University typically accepts and attracts “A” average high school students with an average GPA around 4.0. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class. Of those applicants who were admitted, 70% enrolled. With over half of admitted students enrolling, acceptance by Harvard University is a prized outcome for many students.
Harvard SAT Score Percentiles
SAT Range
Applicants Submitting SAT
1460-1580
69%
- SAT Reading 25th
- SAT Math 25th 740
- SAT Composite 25th 1460
- SAT Reading 75th 780
- SAT Math 75th 800
- SAT Composite 75th 1580
- Average SAT Score 1520
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to Harvard University?
Harvard University typically prefers applicants to be in the top 2 percent of SAT test takers. The school consistently takes SAT composite scores down to 1460 on a 1600 scale, below which admission should be considered a reach. We estimate some students could be accepted with SAT’s as low as 1400. The estimated average SAT composite for admitted freshman is 1520 out of 1600. The school ranks #2 in Massachusetts for highest average SAT composite score. A competitive SAT score is critical as 69 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2020 starting classEstimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score
SAT Score (1600 scale) | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
35 and Above | Good | >8% |
34 to 35 | Avg + | 5%-8% |
33 to 34 | Avg – | 3%-5% |
32 to 33 | Reach | 2%-3% |
Less than 32 | Low | <2% |
Harvard ACT Score Percentiles
ACT Range
Applicants Submitting ACT
33-35
47%
- ACT Reading 25th 35
- ACT Math 25th 31
- ACT Composite 25th 33
- ACT Reading 75th 36
- ACT Math 75th 35
- ACT Composite 75th 35
- Average ACT Score 34
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into Harvard?
Admission data indicates that Harvard regularly accepts students with ACT’s of 33 and above. Successful applicants typically send ACT scores in the top 2 percent nationally. We estimate the school accepting minimum ACT composite scores around 32 in some instances. Prospective students submitting an ACT composite of 34 or higher should be in the upper half of applicants – and students with a 35 and above have very competitive chances. The school ranks #2 in Massachusetts for highest average ACT composite score. 47 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Harvard University.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2020 starting class
Estimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score
ACT Score | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
35 and Above | Good | >8% |
34 to 35 | Avg + | 5%-8% |
33 to 34 | Avg – | 3%-5% |
32 to 33 | Reach | 2%-3% |
Less than 32 | Low | <2% |
Harvard GPA Requirements & Average GPA
Avg. High School GPA
Typical High School Grades
4.0
A
What GPA do you need to get into Harvard University?
Applicants require exceptionally good grades to get into Harvard. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at Harvard University was 4.0 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily A students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #1 in Massachusetts for highest average GPA. Given the school’s very highly selective admissions, acceptance at Harvard extremely difficult and unlikely even with a 4.0 GPA. The school should be considered a reach even if you have a 4.0 GPA.
High School GPA | Freshmen Within Range | Competitiveness |
|---|---|---|
4.0 | 75.76% | Reach |
3.75 to 3.99 | 18.02% | Reach |
3.50 to 3.74 | 4.0% | Reach |
3.25 to 3.49 | 1.79% | Reach |
3.00 to 3.24 | 0.32% | Reach |
2.50 to 2.99 | 0.11% | Low |
2.00 to 2.49 | 0% | Low |
1.00 to 1.99 | 0% | Low |
less than 1.00 | 0% | Low |
GPA Data Source, Peterson’s Data 2021
High School Class Rank
94% of Harvard University freshman were in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class.
High School Class Rank | Freshmen Within Range |
|---|---|
Top 10% of class | 94% |
Top 25% of class | 98% |
Top 50% of class | 100% |
Lower 50% of class | 0% |
Data Source, Peterson’s Data
