Freshman Application Process

Thank you for your interest in Harvard College. We know there are many fine colleges and universities from which to choose, and we are happy that you are looking closely at the exciting opportunities available here in Cambridge.

Our admissions procedures are designed to give you maximum freedom and flexibility to present yourself in your own words. We hope you will respond in whatever ways you feel will best demonstrate your interests and accomplishments. Here are some recommendations we hope you will consider as you complete your application.

• Candidates may complete testing (SAT or ACT with writing and three SAT Subject Tests) by using the January SAT or the February ACT dates, but we urge you to have your testing completed by December of your senior year, if at all possible.
• Keep copies of all materials submitted and ask your teachers to do the same. Materials can be lost in the mail.
• Supplementary materials or portfolios may be submitted, but you should do so only if you have an unusual talent. Such materials are neither required nor expected as the required components of the application provide ample basis on which to make our decisions. Because we cannot return materials, applicants should send only duplicates.
• Write about what matters to you. There are no "right" essay topics and no "right" answers.

The answers to many questions about admissions requirements and deadlines are within this website. For an expanded list of frequently asked questions and their answers, please consult the FAQ index on our website.

Each admission decision is made without any regard for a candidate’s financial need — a policy we call "need-blind admission." Indeed the Admissions Committee may respond favorably to evidence that a candidate has overcome significant obstacles, financial or otherwise. Once an applicant is admitted, we create an individual financial aid package that will enable that student's family to meet the cost of attendance. Providing financial access to Harvard for every admitted student is one of our highest priorities.

We hope you will take every opportunity to explore whether Harvard might be a good match for your academic, extracurricular and personal interests. Advice from your college counselor, your family and the many publications on college admission may help, as might a visit to Cambridge or a conversation with one of our more than 10,000 alumni/ae who help us recruit students in all 50 states and around the world.

Please let us know if we can be of assistance to you during the admissions process. Best wishes for a happy and productive year.

Application Requirements

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(A more detailed list can be found on the Application Requirements page.)

Application
$75 Application Fee or Waiver
Harvard Supplement
SAT or ACT
3 SAT Subject Tests
Secondary School Report and Mid-year School Report
Two Teacher Evaluations

Application Timeline

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(A more detailed list can be found on the Application Timeline page.)