Harvard University
Acceptance Rate Trend
SAT Score Range Trend
(middle 50% of admitted students)
| Year | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1480 | 1570 |
| 2023 | 1500 | 1570 |
| 2024 | 1500 | 1570 |
Application Timeline
Application Methods
👍 Great Fit If You Are:
Independent intellectuals
if you thrive on open questions, unstructured exploration, and designing your own learning, Harvard gives you space and resources to go deep.
Humbly ambitious students
if you aim high but carry your goals quietly, the culture of Harvard rewards substance over show.
Cross-disciplinary thinkers
if you love philosophy and physics, or coding and poetry, Harvard’s ecosystem supports intellectual fusion.
Global-minded changemakers
if you want to shape policy, justice, science, or narrative at a world scale, this is where leaders incubate.
Long-game visionaries
if you’re patient, reflective, and serious about building a life of deep meaning, Harvard’s slow burn can change your trajectory forever.
🚨 Not Ideal For:
Students who need constant guidance
Harvard’s academic freedom is empowering, but it demands self-direction; no one will chase you.
Prestige chasers
if you want the Harvard name more than the Harvard challenge, you might burn out or feel lost quickly.
Purely pre-professional learners
while career success abounds, this isn’t a vocational school—it’s a place to think, question, and evolve.
Party-centric socialites
social life exists but isn’t loud; it’s more dinner with faculty than massive tailgates.
Hyper-pragmatists
the curriculum can feel abstract, theoretical, or slow to apply; if you want fast feedback and direct tools, it may feel inefficient.
Historic Ivy League leader
Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest higher education institution in the U.S., with unmatched influence on American intellectual and cultural life.
House system for undergraduates
Modeled after Oxford and Cambridge, Harvard’s 12 residential Houses create small communities that blend academic, social, and cultural life.
Global research and professional leadership
Harvard maintains world-renowned schools in law, medicine, business, education, government, and public health, producing leaders across disciplines.
Library and museum collections
Harvard’s library system is the largest academic library in the world, complemented by the Harvard Art Museums and natural history collections.
Innovation and entrepreneurship hub
The Harvard Innovation Labs (i-Labs) and close ties to the Boston-Cambridge tech ecosystem support venture creation, biotech startups, and social entrepreneurship.
☀️ Weather & Climate
spring
45-65°F (7-18°C)
Variable temperatures, cherry blossoms, occasional rain
summer
70-85°F (21-29°C)
Warm and humid, occasional heat waves
fall
45-70°F (7-21°C)
Beautiful fall colors, crisp air, perfect for campus walks
winter
20-40°F (-6-4°C)
Cold with occasional snow, occasional nor'easters
Four distinct seasons with humid continental climate
☀️Average 200 sunny days per year
👩🎓👨🎓 Demographics
Gender Ratio
Ethnic Distribution
📚 Popular Majors
Campus Area Dining
Nearby Areas
Historic center with diverse dining options
Seafood, fine dining, food markets