Harvard University Acceptance Rate, GPA Requirement, SAT, ACT Score
Harvard University acceptance rate, SAT requirements, and testing requirements for admission, including Harvard University ACT and GPA requirements are clearly outlined below.
Harvard University Acceptance Rate
If you want to further your education at Harvard University, then you first need to know the acceptance rate in order to know how competitive the school is. The acceptance rate at Harvard University is 4.7%. For every 100 applicants, only 5 are admitted.
This indicates that the school is extremely selective. It’s important to satisfy their GPA and SAT/ACT requirements in order to pass their initial screening process and demonstrate your academic readiness. Your chances of getting admitted are slim if you don’t meet up with the requirements.
After overcoming this obstacle, you need to surprise the Harvard admission committee with your personal statements, essay, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities.
Harvard University GPA Requirements
If you want to further your education at Harvard University, the first thing you undoubtedly want to know is what GPA is required for Harvard. Harvard does not state a specific cutoff point for the Grade Point Average (GPA).
According to its admissions office, “there is no formula for getting into Harvard.” But it’s unlikely that your application will be accepted if you don’t have a high GPA. You should strive for a GPA of at least 4.0 or an average GPA of 3.9 if you wish to attend Harvard.
Harvard University’s average GPA requirement is 4.18.
- With a 4.0 GPA, you have a relatively good chance of getting accepted.
- With a 3.75 to 3.99 GPA, you have a decent chance of success.
- A GPA between 3.50 to 3.74 makes Harvard a reach school.
- GPAs between 2.50 to 3.49 gives you an extremely low chance of success.
- Anything below 2.50 means you will most likely not be accepted.
Harvard SAT and ACT Requirements
- SAT score of 1460 would put you in the 25th percentile of Harvard applicants
- SAT score of 1580 would put you in the 75th percentile of applicants
- ACT score of 33 would put you in the 25th percentile of Harvard applicants
- ACT score of 36 would put you in the 75th percentile of Harvard applicants
Standardized testing requirements vary from school to school. The SAT or ACT are typically required, and many schools also demand SAT subject assessments. To submit an application to Harvard, you must take the SAT or ACT examination. More importantly, a strong application requires achievement.
- SAT score of 1580 and above gives you a good chance of admission
- SAT score of 1480 gives you a decent chance of admission
- SAT Scores of 1400 and above mean admission is possible
- SAT scores below 1400 chances are low to impossible
- An ACT score of 36 gives you a good chance of admission
- An ACT score of 33-35 gives you a decent chance of admission
- ACT scores of 32-33 make Harvard a reach school
- Any ACT score less than 32 gives you a low to no chance of admission
In summary, if you have an ACT score of 36 or a SAT score of 1580, you will be in a stronger position and above the average applicant. However, if your SAT or ACT scores are 1460 or 33 respectively, you will fall below the cohort’s average.
Having a high GPA and a high ACT/SAT score will increase your chance of getting admission. But if your SAT/ACT scores and GPA doesn’t meet their requirements, you’ll probably be rejected without much thought.
You should strive for a 1580 SAT or a 35 ACT in order to have the highest chance of being admitted, which is the 75th percentile. A 4.18 GPA or above is also required. If your GPA is low, then your SAT/ACT score must be high to cover up.
Apart from the GPA requirement and SAT or ACT scores, you will also submit a personal essay (around 500 to 600 words) to the admission committee. The essay should be genuine, succinct, and relevant to impress the committee.
What Are My Chances of Getting into Harvard?
- A GPA of at least 4.0
- An SAT score of 1580 or higher or an ACT score of 36
- A compelling personal essay
You will stand out from the rest of the students if you have a clear idea of what you want to do with your life after graduation and can articulate this in your essay.
Additionally, you have a greater chance of being accepted to Harvard if your application demonstrates development, potential, a promise to make a significant contribution, and exceptional character and personality.