Harvard University - Ivy League
- Written by UnivAdmitHelp
- Category: Insights & Information
- Published on 10 Jan 2017
If you are considering applying to Harvard University, one of the most renowned institutions in the world, it is important to note that the acceptance rate is highly competitive, with less than 5% of applicants being admitted in the previous year. However, it is still possible to make a strong impression on the admissions committee through exceptional academic performance, high test scores, notable extracurricular accomplishments, and sum it all in a strong application.
What would get me admitted to the Harvard University?
Harvard University’s admission process for undergraduates enables them to give deliberate and meticulous consideration of each applicant as a whole person.
The process is labor intensive but permits extraordinary flexibility and the possibility of changing decisions till the end.
Apart from academic accomplishment, other factors that they consider are strong personal qualities, special talents or excellences of all kinds, perspectives formed by unusual personal circumstances, and the ability to take advantage of available resources and opportunities. There are a lot of questions that they keep in mind while evaluating an applicant such as – the applicant’s growth and potential, interests, and activities, character and personality, and ability to contribute to Harvard University’s legacy. It would be a very good idea that the applicant answers all the questions at their personal level and then try to reflect those answers in their essays.
Harvard University is an Ivy League school in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636, it is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Harvard is a large, highly residential research university. Harvard offers a wide range of degree programs in the liberal arts, sciences, engineering, business, law, and medicine. It also offers professional and continuing education programs in areas like public policy, urban planning, and public health.
Important Facts for Class 2026
The Harvard College today accepted 722 students to the Class of 2027 from a pool of 9,553 who applied under the early action program.
Number of applications for Class 2026 - 57,786
Number of students admitted for Class 2026 - 2,318
Acceptance rate – 3.9%
Acceptance rate for Early Decision – 20%(approx.)
Standardized tests – Test-Optional policy till Class 2030
Average need-based scholarship/grant award - $49,002
Average SAT Score – 1480 - 1580
Average ACT Score – 33 – 36
Average GPA – 3.8 – 4.0
Harvard Student Faculty Ratio – 7:1
According to US News Harvard University is #3 in the national Universities. It’s a private university.
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Popular Majors
We offer more than 3,700 courses in 50 undergraduate fields of study, which they call it concentrations instead of majors.
Social Sciences – 28.8%
At Harvard, social sciences are offered through the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS). The major is composed of courses in anthropology, economics, government, history, psychology, and sociology, and students may also take courses in related fields like law, philosophy, and religion.
Biological Sciences – 18.2%
It provides a comprehensive introduction to the sciences of biology, including the principles of genetics, cell biology, physiology, ecology, evolution, and development. Students also explore the social and ethical implications of biological research.
Engineering – 9.0%
Harvard offers multiple courses in engineering biomedical, electrical, Engineering Sciences, Environmental Science and Mechanical Engineering.
Computer Sciences – 8.3%
Harvard College offers a wide range of courses in the field of Computer Science. Students can choose from a variety of courses in topics such as algorithms, computer architecture, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, programming languages, software engineering, operating systems, computer networks, and computer graphics. Students can also pursue research opportunities in areas such as machine learning, robotics, and computer vision.
Mathematics - 7.2%
These courses span a wide range of topics, from algebra, calculus, and statistics to number theory, discrete mathematics, and topology. Harvard also offers courses in mathematical modeling, numerical analysis, and applied mathematics, as well as courses in mathematics education. Harvard students also have access to a variety of advanced research opportunities. Research in mathematics can take place in the Harvard Mathematics Department and in the Harvard Institute of Applied Mathematics, or through the Harvard Office of Undergraduate Research.
History - 8%
It is a broad discipline encompassing every dimension of human interaction in the past, including social life, the economy, culture, thought, and politics.
What are the most popular programs at Harvard University?
Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States, established in 1636 by a vote of the Great and General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. It was named after the College’s first benefactor, the young minister John Harvard of Charlestown, who upon his death in 1638 left his library and half his estate to the institution. Harvard University has twelve degree-granting schools in addition to Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study – Harvard College, Harvard Business School, Division of Continuing Education, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, HarvardDivinity School, Faculty of Arts & Sciences, Graduate School of Design, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Law School, Harvard Medical School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – which offer truly global education. Some of the most popular programs are management programs at HBS, law courses at HLS, and political science courses at Harvard Kennedy School.
Why Harvard?
- Harvard is a research university, an institution devoted to continuing discovery of new facts, new knowledge, and new ideas and students have received more than $7 million in research support from more than 60 sources.
- It has an enrollment of over 20,000-degree candidates every year, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students and has more than 360,000 alumni around the world.
- Harvard is situated in the heart of Boston-Cambridge education and its location and its arrangements with other universities allow students to cross-register at other reputed universities such as MIT, Boston College, etc.
- Harvard is more affordable than public universities for 90 percent of Americans and equally generous for international students.
- An education at Harvard has limitless possibilities, it will take you as far as your imagination allows.
- The faculty engagement is high in Harvard University and students will have great access to some of the world’s great Nobel Laureates too.
Notable Alumni
- Ratan Tata, HBS
- Bill Gates (Dropped out)
- Barack Obama, HLS
- Mark Zuckerberg (Dropped out)
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