When Do Harvard Decisions Come Out? Class of 2031 Notification Dates

Harvard decisions come out on a fixed schedule that depends on which application route you chose. Restrictive Early Action (REA) applicants hear back in mid-December, and Regular Decision (RD) results arrive in late March, typically on Ivy Day, when all eight Ivy League schools release decisions at the same time. Waitlisted and transfer applicants follow separate timelines that stretch into the summer months.

Knowing exactly when Harvard releases decisions helps you plan what comes next. This guide covers every Harvard decision date for the 2026–2027 admissions cycle, including the three possible outcomes for each round and the steps you should take once you hear back.

• When Does Harvard Release Decisions?
• When Do Harvard Waitlist Decisions Come Out?
• When Do Harvard Transfer Decisions Come Out?
• What to Do After Receiving Your Harvard Decision
• Waiting on Harvard’s Decision? Get Expert Guidance
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

When Does Harvard Release Decisions?

Harvard releases first-year admissions decisions twice per year:

Source: Harvard College Admissions Office

For the most recent cycle, Harvard released REA decisions for the Class of 2030 on December 18, 2025, and RD results on March 26, 2026. The exact dates shift slightly each year, but mid-December and the last week of March have held as the consistent windows across recent cycles.

When do Harvard Early Action decisions come out?

Harvard’s REA decisions come out in mid-December, usually between December 12 and 18.

The REA application deadline is November 1, 2026, and admitted students have until May 1, 2027 to respond. Harvard will send you an email when your decision is ready, but you will need to log in to the Applicant Portal to view the result.

Three outcomes are possible:

• An admit means you have been offered a spot in the incoming class, with no obligation to accept until the May 1 reply deadline.
• A defer moves your application into the RD pool for a second review, and you will receive a final decision in late March alongside all RD applicants.
• A deny closes your application for the cycle.

When do Harvard Regular Decision results come out?

Harvard’s RD results come out in late March, typically on Ivy Day.

The RD application deadline is January 1, 2027, and admitted students have until May 1, 2027 to respond. As with REA, RD decisions are posted to the Applicant Portal.

Three outcomes are possible in the regular round:

• An admit gives you until May 1 to confirm your enrollment.
• A waitlist means you remain in consideration if spots open up after admitted students make their decisions.
• A deny closes your application for the cycle.

Haven’t applied yet? See every Harvard application deadline

Before you can worry about when Harvard decisions come out, you need to hit the deadline first. Our complete guide to Harvard application deadlines breaks down every date you need to know.

When Do Harvard Waitlist Decisions Come Out?

Harvard waitlist decisions are released on a rolling basis from early May through late July. There is no single notification date. The admissions office monitors how many admitted students accept their offers, and if spots open up, it extends offers to waitlisted applicants in waves throughout that window.

Offers go out based on institutional needs at the time, such as academic interests, geographic balance, or other priorities the admissions office is trying to address in the incoming class. If you receive a waitlist offer, you will typically need to respond within a few days.

When Do Harvard Transfer Decisions Come Out?

Harvard transfer decisions come out by June. The transfer application deadline is March 1, 2027, and the admissions office reviews all applications after that date before releasing results, typically by June 15.

Harvard only admits transfer students for fall enrollment and does not offer deferrals. If you are admitted, you are expected to enroll that same fall and respond to your offer shortly after receiving it.

What to Do After Receiving Your Harvard Decision

Your next steps depend entirely on which of the four possible outcomes you receive:

If you are waitlisted and later receive an offer from Harvard, you can accept it and withdraw from the school where you already deposited. The tradeoff is that you will forfeit that deposit, which is typically non-refundable. Given how unpredictable Harvard’s waitlist is, committing fully to your backup school in the meantime is the safest approach.

If you are denied and Harvard remains a long-term goal, you can reapply as a transfer student after completing at least one full year at another college.

Waiting on Harvard’s Decision? Get Expert Guidance

Whether you are still building your application or have already submitted and are waiting to hear back, the period between deadlines and decisions is a chance to strengthen your position.

AdmissionSight’s Standard College Counseling program pairs you with an experienced advisor who works alongside you through every stage of the admissions process, from essay development and activity list strategy to school list building and deadline management.

If you have already applied and were deferred or waitlisted, our Ad Hoc Consulting option gives you focused, one-off support for the specific task at hand. That could mean drafting a letter of continued interest, updating your application with new achievements, or mapping out a plan for the rest of your admissions cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What time of day do Harvard decisions come out?

Harvard typically posts admissions decisions to the Applicant Portal around 7:00 PM Eastern Time. The school will send you an email letting you know your decision is ready, but you need to log in to the portal to view the actual result.

2. When does Harvard release Early Action decisions?

Harvard releases REA decisions in mid-December, usually between December 12 and 18. The exact date shifts slightly each year, but mid-December has been consistent across recent cycles.

3. When does Harvard release Regular Decision results?

Harvard releases RD results in late March, typically on Ivy Day when all eight Ivy League schools post decisions on the same date.

4. Can I appeal if Harvard rejects my application?

Harvard does not have a formal appeals process for undergraduate admissions decisions. Once a decision is final, it cannot be reversed for that cycle. If you are still interested in attending Harvard after a denial, you can reapply as a first-year applicant the following year or as a transfer student after completing at least one full year at another college.

5. How does Harvard notify applicants of their decision?

Harvard sends an email on the decision release date letting you know your result is available. The decision itself is posted to the Applicant Portal, where you log in to view your admissions letter.

Takeaways

• Harvard releases REA decisions in mid-December and RD results in late March. Both are posted to the Applicant Portal around 7:00 PM ET.
• Three outcomes are possible in the early round: admit, defer, or deny. In the regular round, the outcomes are admit, waitlist, or deny.
• Waitlist decisions roll out from early May through late July.
• Transfer decisions come out by mid-June.
• If you are still preparing your application or need help responding to a deferral or waitlist, connecting with a college admissions expert can help you put your strongest case forward.