Admission To Harvard Requirements
Harvard University is one of the most respected institutions in the world, and getting admitted into Harvard is not easy. The admissions department is extremely selective and requires high academic standards. However, if you follow these steps and meet the requirements, you have a good chance at gaining admission to this prestigious university.
Admission To Harvard Requirements
1 The Harvard Admissions Department is extremely selective.
The Harvard Admissions Department is extremely selective. In 2018, they accepted only 5% of students who applied to their undergraduate program. To put that into perspective, Harvard accepts less than half as many students as Stanford University (7%) and only a third as many students as the University of California at Berkeley (15%).
Harvard only accepts the top 2% of applicants each year—this means that every year there are more than 34,000 people who want to attend Harvard but don’t get accepted!
Because it’s so difficult to get into Harvard, you need all the help you can get with your application in order to stand out from thousands or even tens of thousands of other applicants.
2 Almost all colleges today require standardized tests, such as the SAT and ACT.
Almost all colleges today require standardized tests, such as the SAT and ACT. These tests are designed to measure a student’s aptitude for certain subjects, such as reading comprehension or math. In addition to being required for admission to most colleges, these exams may also be used by scholarship committees to determine eligibility for grants and scholarships.
Standardized tests are generally computer-based and consist of multiple choice questions that have one correct answer each (although there may be several possible answers). These tests are offered in multiple languages; if you need assistance translating the test into your native language or would like the test read aloud to you in English so you can concentrate on other aspects of taking it, Harvard recommends contacting its testing center directly for more information about this process.
3 Your essay, letters of recommendation, and experiences can also swing your admissions status in either direction.
Your essay, letters of recommendation and experiences can also swing your admissions status in either direction. Admissions officers are looking for students who are passionate about their field of study and show a strong desire to contribute to the world through their work. If you have an opportunity that allows you to demonstrate those things, it’s worth taking advantage of it — even if it means sacrificing something else in your application.
Your essay is an important part of the application process because it gives you a chance to share something about yourself with Harvard admissions officers (and maybe even other applicants). In addition to conveying knowledge about an area relevant to your intended major or career path, think about how you might stand out by sharing something unique that no one else has included on their applications or essays (e.g., a personal story).
If possible, communicate with professors who know you well so they can comment on your academic skills as well as personal qualities such as leadership ability, dependability and integrity when writing letters of recommendation for Harvard’s undergraduate programs.
4 Harvard is looking for motivated students who are not only intelligent, but also passionate about their field of study.
It’s important to remember that while Harvard wants you to be intelligent and hard-working, they are also looking for students who are passionate about their field of study. If you can show how your chosen major relates to an area of interest or passion of yours, then it will be much easier for you to stand out amongst other applicants.
For example, if you are applying as a psychology major and have spent the last few summers volunteering at a hospital helping children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), then this shows that not only are you passionate about helping others in need, but also that your chosen field of study fits into an area where there is room for growth.
5 To meet this requirement, you need to submit your test scores and high school transcripts with your application.
In this part, I’ll talk about the application requirements for Harvard University.
- You’ll need to fill out the online application and pay the $80 non-refundable fee.
- You can also apply by mail by downloading a PDF of the Common Application and mailing it with your check or money order for $80 (or $60 if you are submitting an application from a high school in Massachusetts).
- If you prefer to go old school, you can submit your application in person between 9:00 AM and 3:30 PM on weekdays at one of three Harvard Clubs near Boston: The Cambridge Club (128 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge), The Boston Club (20 Somerset St., Boston), Or The Dedham Club (201 Route 1A, Dedham).
6 With a few exceptions, if you’re applying to Harvard, you’ll need to take the SAT or ACT along with the SAT Subject Tests.
With a few exceptions, if you’re applying to Harvard, you’ll need to take the SAT or ACT along with the SAT Subject Tests. The SAT Subject Tests are subject-specific exams that allow students to show their strengths in specific subjects. These tests do not have a writing section and are scored on a scale of 200–800. You can choose between 10 different subjects: English literature, foreign language (French/Spanish), history (American or European), mathematics 1 & 2 and 3-D art or music theory.
For example: If you’re applying as an economics major, but your math SAT score is high enough that it could potentially offset your low reading comprehension scores from the ACT English Language Arts test—you might consider taking an algebra II test instead of an English Literature test.
7 You can use your essays to show admissions officers who you are as a person, what motivates you, and what kind of student you’ll be in college.
You can use your essays to show admissions officers who you are as a person, what motivates you, and what kind of student you’ll be in college.
You should focus on the specific parts of your application and activities that are most interesting or important to you. If your college essay is going to be all about how much you love playing soccer, then talk about that! The most successful applicants have used their essay to explain why they’re applying to Harvard specifically – not just any university will do! You also want to talk about why Harvard would be a good fit for YOU. You may think this sounds obvious but it’s very easy for students with similar interests and academic backgrounds to end up sounding exactly alike when they write their essays… which doesn’t make them stand out from other candidates who are competing with each other for spots in the freshman class at Harvard College.”
8 It is a lengthy process, but possible to get into Harvard if you follow these steps.
It is a lengthy process, but possible to get into Harvard if you follow these steps.
- It is a very competitive school, so it is difficult to get accepted. To be considered for admission, you need to have good grades and SAT or ACT scores. You also need to take the SAT subject tests in your area of interest (there are 20 different ones).
- It is important that you apply early because some schools have limited space and will stop accepting applications if they reach capacity. The application process takes time because there are many documents required before application can be completed such as essays and letters of recommendation from teachers or counselors who know you well enough to write about your achievements and potential for success at a university such as Harvard University
Closing
In conclusion, getting into Harvard can be a lengthy and difficult process. However, it is possible if you follow these steps.