Harvard University

Yes — Harvard is one of the most selective universities in the world, admitting about 4.2% of applicants in the most recent cycle. It offered admission to roughly 2,003 of nearly 48,000 applicants and enrolled about 1,675 first-year students. Admission is holistic, so strong grades and scores are necessary but never sufficient on their own.

There is no minimum GPA, but enrolled first-year students average about a 4.22 high school GPA. Harvard reviews applications holistically and reports that it only 'considers' GPA and test scores rather than treating any single number as decisive, so the rigor of your coursework and the rest of your application carry real weight alongside grades.

Yes. Harvard requires standardized test scores and is not test-optional. Among enrolled first-years, the middle 50% scored roughly 1510–1580 on the SAT and 33–35 on the ACT, and nearly all admitted students scored in the 1400–1600 range.

A 1500 is right at the lower edge of Harvard's admitted range — it sits just below the 25th percentile of 1510. The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1510–1580 on the SAT (33–35 ACT), so a 1500 is in the running but below average, and you'd want the rest of your application to be exceptional. Harvard requires test scores and reviews them holistically rather than against a hard cutoff.

Tuition and required fees run about $64,796 per year, with total cost of attendance higher once housing and food (about $22,130) are added. Harvard meets 100% of demonstrated financial need, the average need-based aid package is roughly $74,285, and attendance is free for families earning under $100,000 — about 56% of students receive aid.

The social sciences are by far the most popular area at about 27% of degrees, followed by mathematics and statistics (14%), the biological sciences (13%), and computer science (11%). History accounts for roughly 7% and the physical sciences about 6%.

Yes. Harvard's review is fully holistic — it lists the application essay, character and personal qualities, extracurriculars, and recommendations all as 'considered' alongside grades and test scores, with no single factor weighed above the rest. With a 4.2% acceptance rate, a specific, well-revised essay is one of the few places a strong applicant can stand apart from a pool of similarly qualified students.

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