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Your Chances of Getting Into Harvard University

Based on publicly available admissions data

Most Selective3.5% acceptance rate

Acceptance rate under 10%. Very high reach for most students.

Admissions Statistics

Acceptance Rate
3.5%
SAT Range (Middle 50%)
1500 - 1580
ACT Range (Middle 50%)
34 - 36

GPA of Enrolled Freshmen

4.0 (A)
74.0%
3.75 - 3.99 (A-)
19.7%
3.50 - 3.74 (A-/B+)
4.1%
3.25 - 3.49 (B+)
1.1%
Below 3.0
0.3%

What Matters Most

Very Important
RigorCharacter
Important
GpaEssayRecommendationInterviewExtracurricularTalent

Is Harvard University a Reach, Target, or Safety?

With a 3.5% acceptance rate, Harvard University is a reach school for most applicants. Even students with perfect grades and scores are not guaranteed admission.

Build a balanced college list with reach, target, and safety schools to maximize your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are my chances of getting into Harvard University?

Harvard University accepts 3.5% of applicants. Your individual chances depend on your complete profile: GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations. Use this data as a benchmark, not a guarantee.

What GPA do I need for Harvard University?

94% of enrolled freshmen at Harvard University had a GPA of 3.75 or above. While there is no strict cutoff, a strong academic record significantly improves your chances, especially for competitive applicants.

What SAT score do I need for Harvard University?

The middle 50% of enrolled freshmen scored between 1500 and 1580 on the SAT. Scoring at or above 1580 puts you in the top quartile of admitted students. For ACT, the middle 50% range is 34-36.