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Frequently Asked Questions: Admissions
Application Policies and Procedures
What kind of admissions criteria does Harvard use?
There is no formula for gaining admission to Harvard. Academic accomplishment in high school is important, but the Admissions Committee also considers many other criteria, such as community involvement, leadership and distinction in extracurricular activities, and work experience. The Admissions Committee does not use quotas of any kind. We rely on teachers, counselors, headmasters, and alumni/ae to share information with us about applicants' strength of character, their ability to overcome adversity, and other personal qualities--all of which play a part in the Admissions Committee's decisions.
How important are extracurricular activities in admissions decisions?
Each case is different. Harvard seeks to enroll well-rounded students as well as a well-rounded first year class. Thus, some students distinguish themselves for admission due to their unusual academic promise through experience or achievements in study or research. Other students present compelling cases because they are more "well rounded" -- they have contributed in many different ways to their schools or communities. Still other successful applicants are "well lopsided," with demonstrated excellence in one particular endeavor -- academic, extracurricular, or otherwise. Some students bring perspectives formed by unusual personal circumstances or experiences. Like all colleges, we seek to admit the most interesting, able, and diverse class possible.
Who reads applications?
Most applications are read by two or more members of the Admissions Committee, and are considered very carefully in a series of committee meetings where a majority vote is required for admission. The entire process requires several months.
Does Harvard admit students to enter in the spring semester?
No. All students begin study in September to benefit from special programs designed for freshmen.
Are there quotas for certain kinds of applicants ?
The Admissions Committee does not use quotas of any kind.
Are a student's chances of admission enhanced if a relative has attended Harvard?
The application process is the same for all candidates. Among a group of similarly distinguished applicants, the daughters and sons of College alumni/ae may receive an additional look.
Is there a separate admissions process for prospective athletes?
No. We encourage students with athletic talent to contact our Athletic Department for information about any of Harvard's 41 varsity athletic teams.
Are a student's chances of admission enhanced by submitting application materials before other applicants?
No. We request, however, that students submit the Common Application and the Harvard Application Supplement by December 1 if possible. Receipt of these two forms allows us to expedite application processing and to arrange personal interviews more quickly.
Are a student's chances of admission hurt if there are other applicants from his or her school or community?
No. There are no quotas for individual schools, communities, states, or countries. A student's application is compared rigorously with others from around the globe.
Is there a wait list?
Yes. Our wait list includes the strongest applicants whom the Committee was not able to admit but might still wish to consider for admission if spots in the entering class open later. The wait list is not ranked. In some years, we have admitted no one from the wait list; in others, we have admitted more than 100 candidates.
May admitted students defer their matriculations at Harvard?
Harvard College wants to do everything possible to help the students we enroll make the most of their opportunities, avoiding the much reported "burnout" phenomenon that can keep them from reaching their full potential. Harvard's overall graduation rate of 97%, among the highest in the nation, is perhaps due in part to the fact that so many students take time off, before or during college. The Admissions Committee encourages admitted students to defer enrollment for one year to travel, pursue a special project or activity, work or spend time in another meaningful way - provided they do not enroll in a degree-granting program at another college. Most fundamentally, it is a time to step back and reflect, to gain perspective on personal values and goals, or to gain needed life experience in a setting separate from and independent of one's accustomed pressures and expectations. Deferrals for two-year obligatory military services are also granted. Each year, between 40 and 80 students defer their matriculation to the College, and all report their experiences to be uniformly positive; virtually all would do it again. After graduation, large numbers of Harvard students take time off before beginning work or graduate school.
For more thoughts on the advantages of taking time off you can read "Time Off or Burn Out for the Next Generation" written by William R. Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions, Harvard College, Marlyn McGrath Lewis, Director of Admissions, and Charles Ducey, Director or the Bureau of Study Counsel, Harvard University.
May students apply to Harvard if they are admitted under binding Early Decision programs at other colleges?
No. Students admitted under an Early Decision program at another college must withdraw any pending application to Harvard and are not eligible for admission.