Harvard University, a private Ivy League research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S, consists of Harvard College (its undergraduate program), 12 graduate and professional schools, and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.
Students interested in pursuing studies beyond a bachelor’s degree may consider one of Harvard’s 12 graduate schools.
There is no set formula for gaining admission to Harvard University. While academic achievement in high school is important, the Admissions Committee also considers other factors such as community involvement, leadership, distinction in extracurricular activities, and personal qualities and character.
The university relies on teachers, counselors, and alumni to provide insight into an applicant’s strength of character, ability to overcome adversity, and other personal traits.
How to Join Harvard University: Qualifications and Application Process
You may apply to Harvard university through either the Restrictive Early Action or Regular Decision program.
Both options allow you to compare admission and financial aid offers from other institutions and wait until May 1 to make your final college choice.
- Restrictive Early Action candidates must apply by November 1 and will receive a decision by mid-December.
- Regular Decision candidates must apply by January 1 and will receive a decision by the end of March.
All applicants—both U.S. and international, including first-year and transfer students—must complete either the Common Application or the Coalition Application, powered by Scoir.
- The Common Application opens on August 1.
- The Coalition Application opens on August 15.
First-Year Application Requirements
You will need to submit:
1. Common Application or Coalition Application, Powered by Scoir, including:
- Application questions
- Activities list
- Personal essay (based on provided prompts)
2. Harvard College Questions
Includes five required short-answer questions (150-word limit each)
3. $85 (Ksh10,965) application fee or a fee waiver request
Common Application
Confirm that you meet at least one of the indicators of economic need and then select “Yes” to the prompt “You are eligible for application fee waivers if you meet one or more of the following criteria.” 2. Complete the fee waiver signature.
Coalition Application
Confirm that you meet at least one of the indicators of economic need listed in the Fee Waiver section of your Profile. 2.
If you do not meet one of the indicators of economic need, you may enter the Harvard-specific fee waiver code on the payment page: JH3S5Q2LX9.
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4. School Reports and Teacher Recommendations
- Secondary School Report
The secondary school report is a required form that is submitted by your school counselor or another school leader.
This form gives an overview of the student’s academic record. It includes the applicant’s academic transcript(s), a letter of recommendation, and a school profile (if available).
- Two Teacher Recommendations
Ask two teachers in different academic subjects who know you well to complete the Teacher Recommendation forms (which includes an evaluation form and a letter of recommendation).
- Midyear School Report
When you apply, your school counselor will often send your transcript with few, or no senior year course grades included.)
- Final School Report
All admitted students who choose to enroll are required to send a Final School Report and transcript as soon as their final grades become available –no later than July 1.
You may pay the application fee online via the Common or Coalition Application platforms. Alternatively, send a check or money order to:
Harvard College Admissions, 86 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138. (Be sure to include the applicant’s name.)
5. Standardized Testing
Harvard requires the SAT or ACT. In exceptional cases where these are not accessible, the following may fulfill the testing requirement:
- AP exam results
- IB actual or predicted scores
- GCSE/A-Level actual or predicted results
- National leaving exam results (externally assessed) or predictions
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Application Confirmation
After submitting your application, Harvard will send a confirmation email with a PIN to access the Applicant Portal (emails begin mid-September). Most applicants receive confirmation the day after online submission.
Mailed applications may take up to two weeks to process.
If you use the Common Application, you must submit your application before your supporting materials (Secondary School Report, Teacher Recommendations, etc.) can be released to a college.
Until you submit your own application sections, no part of your application will be transmitted to the Harvard Admissions Office.
If you use the Coalition Application, remember you must submit the separate Harvard supplement in addition to the application by the application deadline for your application to be considered complete.
After you submit your application, Harvard will send an email confirmation with a PIN to access the Applicant Portal.
The university begin sending these daily application confirmation emails in mid-September each year.
Most applicants receive their confirmation email the day after they submit their application online. Applications sent in the mail will take up to two weeks to process.
Use the Applicant Portal to:
- Update identification or contact information
- Submit additional materials or corrections
Eligibility Criteria for First Year Application at Harvard University
- The first-year application is intended for students who have completed secondary school and are seeking their first bachelor’s degree.
- If you took college courses during high school (dual enrollment), you are still considered a first-year applicant.
- Students who have enrolled in college after high school graduation cannot restart their college experience by relinquishing credit.
- If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, you are not eligible to apply to Harvard College.
Transfer Application Requirements
The transfer application is intended for students who have completed at least one continuous academic year (fall and spring semesters) in a full-time degree program at one college, and not more than two academic years, by the time you would be enrolling at Harvard.
Transfer applicants must submit:
- College/Dean’s/Registrar’s Report
- Official College Transcript
- Two College Instructor Recommendations
- Official High School Transcript
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