Spotlight On: Harvard University

   Harvard is the brand name that sets the gold standard worldwide for excellence in higher education. Founded in 1636, Harvard was the first college to be founded in the newly-formed American colonies. Harvard consistently ranks among the top research universities in the world. According to Niche. Com, Harvard is currently ranked as the 4th Best College in America and 2nd only to MIT in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Harvard is known for the strength of its undergraduate school, Harvard College, as well as its graduate and professional programs. It is home to such renowned programs as the Harvard Business School, the Kennedy School for Government, Harvard Law School, its Medical School, and the School for Public Health, all of which are highly-regarded in the respective fields.
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   Harvard has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 7,00o students and a graduate student body of approximately 17,500 students. The student-to-faculty ratio for the undergraduate population at Harvard is 7:1. The following are among the most popular majors for undergraduates: Chemistry, Computation and Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Economics, History, Mathematics, Neuroscience and Neurobiology, Political Science and Government, Research and Experimental Psychology, and Social Science Research Methods. Niche.com ranks Harvard as the top program for Biology, Economics, and Math, and the 2nd top program for Chemistry, History, Political Science, and Religious Studies. Undergraduates studying at Harvard have a choice between 61 concentrations—or majors—among its 13 schools. In addition to its graduate and professional programs, Harvard also offers executive education programs, certificate programs, and online learning opportunities.
 
   According to its website, teaching and research are an integral part of the Harvard experience. Students learn from world-renowned faculty members, conduct their own cutting-edge research, and make significant academic contributions of their own. The Houses at Harvard College are an important of the experience as well. Students live and learn alongside their peers in a smaller home within the College and University where they may grow as individuals and as members of their community. Harvard is proud of its nearly 400-year history of shaping the future.  Through engaging in intellectual vitality and establishing a culture in which all members speak, listen, and ask questions of each other – and themselves – with curiosity and respect, Harvard is committed to helping students undergo an intellectual, social, and personal transformation far beyond the traditional college experience.
 
   Also from the website, here is Harvard’s mission statement where it highlights its commitment to being an institution of higher learning dedicated to transforming the world:
 
   “The mission of Harvard College is to educate the citizens and citizen-leaders for our society. We do this through our commitment to the transformative power of a liberal arts and sciences education.
 
   Beginning in the classroom with exposure to new ideas, new ways of understanding, and new ways of knowing, students embark on a journey of intellectual transformation. Through a diverse living environment, where students live with people who are studying different topics, who come from different walks of life and have evolving identities, intellectual transformation is deepened and conditions for social transformation are created. From this we hope that students will begin to fashion their lives by gaining a sense of what they want to do with their gifts and talents, assessing their values and interests, and learning how they can best serve the world.
 
   Harvard College sets the standard for residential liberal arts and sciences education. We have committed to creating and sustaining the conditions that enable all Harvard College students to experience an unparalleled educational journey that is intellectually, socially, and personally transformative.”
 
   So, what does it take to get in to Harvard? Here is an overview of its admissions statistics:
 
ADMISSION BY THE NUMBERS
   For the class of 2028, Harvard received 54,008 applications for its incoming freshman class, a 5.4% decrease of applications from the previous year. From those applications, Harvard selected 1,970 students—or 3.6% of its applicants—for admission. 15% of the students for the Class of 2028 were from countries other than the United States, the one of the highest percentages of undergraduate international students for Harvard ever.
 
AVERAGE GPA & STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES
   The average unweighted GPA for students admitted to Harvard is between 3.9 and 4.0. Admitted students will have taken the most rigorous coursework possible in high school with a strong showing of AP, IB, or other college-level courses on their transcripts.
 
   The average SAT score for applicants admitted to Harvard for the Class of 2028 was 1520. Like most selective colleges in the post-COVID years, Harvard again requires its applicants to submit a standardized test score along with their application. The average SAT range for students admitted to Harvard is 1500 – 1580.
 
   The average ACT score for applicants admitted to Harvard for the Class of 2028 was 34. Like most selective colleges in the post-COVID years, Harvard again requires its applicants to submit a standardized test score along with their application. The average ACT range for students admitted to Harvard is 34 – 36.
 
REQUIRED COURSEWORK
   According to Harvard’s website, there is no “one-size-fits-all” rule when it comes to high school course requirements. Students should strive to take the most rigorous courses possible across all disciplines.
 
APPLICATION DEADLINES
   Harvard has two admissions deadlines. Applicants seeking to apply to Harvard during the early round must apply Restricted Early Action by November 1st. Regular Decision applicants must apply by January 1st.
 
   Restricted Early Action applicants are generally notified by mid-December. Regular Decision applicants are notified by the end of March.
           
MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS
   Harvard does not offer any merit-based scholarship. All aid offered by Harvard is based on an applicant’s ability to pay full tuition.
 
   Could the storied Harvard University be a right-fit school for you or your child?
 
   While it is intimidating for most to consider, Harvard does accept applicants every year. If you believe you meet the admission criteria and see it as a good fit, then Harvard might be the place for you!