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Harvard University, the oldest university in the United States and a prestigious Ivy League member, is situated in Cambridge, USA. The QS World University Rankings 2025 place Harvard University at number 4. It is well known for its top-notch academic performance, wide range of Harvard University courses, and exceptional graduate career outcomes.
The fact that Harvard University is ranked #4 in the QS World University Rankings 2025 highlights its reliability, sustainability, and popularity on a global scale. International students comprise 15.4% of the class of 2028, with around 24,596 students enrolled from 140 countries.
Only 3.5% to 5% of undergraduate students are accepted to Harvard University, whereas 10% to 15% of students are accepted to graduate or postgraduate degrees. In 2024 alone, Harvard received 54,008 undergraduate applications. The annual tuition at Harvard University is 56,550 USD (47.24 lakhs INR), so international students should budget accordingly.
Learn about: Top 10 Most Popular College Majors 2025
95% of graduates find employment after completing their degrees, demonstrating the university’s strong employability record. MBA graduates make an average of 175,000 USD a year, whereas recent grads make an average of 96,000 USD.
How Hard is it to get into Harvard University?
With an acceptance rate of only 3% to 4% per year, Harvard University is a very competitive place to be admitted. Harvard, one of the most prominent Ivy League universities, draws thousands of bright students from all over the world who compete for a small number of slots. Harvard received more than 56,000 applications in the 2024 admissions season alone, but only admitted about 1,900 students.
Why Study at Harvard?
One of the most prominent universities in the world, Harvard University provides students with a lively blend of scholastic success, a wide range of possibilities, and a supportive community. The following are strong arguments in favour of attending Harvard for your postsecondary education:
1. Prominent Academic Initiatives: With more than 3,700 courses, Harvard provides a strong liberal arts and sciences curriculum that encourages creativity and critical thinking.
2. Residential Life: By enabling students to live and study together, Harvard’s residential system fosters tight-knit communities that provide enduring friendships and support.
3. An Inclusive and Diverse Student Body: The university promotes meaningful conversations and expositions between students from different backgrounds since it encourages diversity and inclusivity.
4. Countless Career and Networking Opportunities: The extensive global network of Harvard alumni enhances graduates’ employment prospects by offering useful connections for internships and job placements.
5. Research opportunities: Modern research facilities and funds are available to students, encouraging creative ideas and multidisciplinary studies.
What is the Acceptance Rate of Harvard University for International Students?
Rate of General Acceptance According to recent years, Harvard’s overall undergraduate application acceptance rate is about 3.4%. Although it varies a little, this rate is still among the lowest in the world.
Harvard had an overall acceptance percentage of 3.4% for the Class of 2027 after receiving 56,937 applications and admitting 1,966 students. Due to the university’s extremely tough admissions process, this rate has continuously been low in recent years.
Learn more about – IVY League Colleges Acceptance Rate for the class of 2029
Top Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programs at Harvard University
- Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Neurobiology
Harvard’s Neurobiology Department integrates expertise from anatomy, physiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and medicine, making it one of the first in the United States. Through demanding coursework and practical research, this program aims to comprehend the intricate development and operation of the brain.
- Duration: 4 years
- Total Annual Fee: ₹47.3L/Yr
2. Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Computer Science
With the flexible Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) degree offered by Harvard’s Computer Science program, students can integrate their studies with subjects like languages, economics, psychology, physics, and mathematics. Important courses ensure that students gain a strong practical foundation in computing by covering subjects like computer systems and artificial intelligence.
Duration: 4 years
Total Annual Fee: ₹53.2 L/Yr
- 3. Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Mechanical Engineering
The Mechanical Engineering program analyses and designs mechanical and thermal systems using the concepts of materials science and physics. This sector affects almost every good and service in contemporary life and is essential for infrastructure development, manufacturing, transportation, and energy production.
Duration: 4 years
Total Annual fee: ₹47.3 L/Yr
Postgraduate Programs
- Master of Science (M.S.) in Public Health Research
You will carry out innovative laboratory and field research while attending the Harvard Chan School, advancing public health. You will graduate from this program with the abilities needed to assess scientific literature critically and apply scientific understanding to practical problems.
Duration: 2 years
Total Annual Fee: ₹60 L/Yr
- Master of Business Administration (M.B.A) in Entrepreneurship
Current college or master’s students can obtain deferred admission to the MBA Program through Harvard Business School’s 2+2 Program. This curriculum offers a thorough understanding of business management with an emphasis on fostering entrepreneurial abilities.
Fees: 2 years
Total Annual Fee: ₹63 L/Yr
Also Read: How To Get Into Harvard Business School (HBS)
- Master of Science (M.S.) in Data Science.
The two-year Master of Data Science program, offered by the School of Engineering & Applied Sciences (SEAS), requires students to finish 12 courses that are in line with the learning goals set by the faculty of computer science and statistics.
Duration: 2 years
Total Annual Fee: ₹53.2 L/Y
How to get into Harvard University as an international student?
Let us first understand who the International students are. According to Harvard University, “ international admissions,” we are generally referring to applicants who apply from schools outside the United States, as the documentation submitted by those schools may differ substantially from that submitted by an American high school and may require specialised knowledge.” But that’s the only thing which is different because all the applicants follow the same procedures and timetables and are eligible for the same financial aid, Harvard has no need to categorise individual applicants as either international or domestic.
Now that we have made that clear, international students should concentrate on the following to make an impression in Harvard’s crowded application pool:
- Academic Prominence: Students with stellar academic records are sought after by Harvard. This comprises:
- Your national curriculum’s highest grades (CBSE, ICSE, IB, A-Levels, etc.)
- Reliable academic achievement in foundational disciplines
- Enrolling in the most demanding classes your school offers
- Excellent results on standardised tests (SAT or ACT are optional; however, they can help your application)
- Results of any applicable English proficiency tests (TOEFL iBT 100+, IELTS 7.5+, Duolingo 130+)
- Holistic Application Components: Beyond academics, your application should highlight your personality:
- Personal writings: You have the opportunity to demonstrate your character, objectives, principles, and driving forces in Harvard’s supplemental writings.
- Recommendation letters: Pick instructors who are familiar with you and can attest to your character, leadership, and intellectual curiosity.
- Transcripts and school reports are official records that may need to be translated. Harvard considers candidates’ educational backgrounds while evaluating them and is aware of different grading schemes.
- Extracurricular Activities: Exhibit depth rather than just scope. Emphasise accomplishments, leadership positions, community service, long-term dedication, and personal endeavours.
- Optional Alumni Interview: You might receive an interview invitation if one is available. This dialogue session gives your application more context.
Learn how Rostrum helps you in the Ivy League Prep!
Harvard University Application Deadlines 2025
- For Undergraduate applications, please find the relevant dates below.
- November 1 for Restrictive Early Action application.
- January 1 is the Regular Decision application deadline.
- March 1 is the deadline for submitting transfer applications.
- For Harvard Business School, the Application Deadline for Round 1 is September 3, 2025.
- For Medical school, the application deadline is October 15, 2025.
One must keep an eye on the official university website or bookmark this page because if the dates are changed, we will be the first ones to update it.
Harvard University Admission Requirements for International Students
We will break down this section into Undergraduate and postgraduate admissions!
Requirements for Harvard University Undergraduate Admission
For its undergraduate programs, Harvard University looks for students who excel academically. When applying, you must meet the entrance standards listed below:
| Category | UG Admission Requirements |
| Application Fee | $85 USD (approx. ₹7,075 INR) |
| Academic Requirements | Final school report and transcripts |
| GPA Requirement / Aggregate | Unweighted GPA of 4.18; students should be among the top of their class |
| English Proficiency Requirements | Not required (if education is in English) |
| SOP / LOR | Statement of Purpose (for visa); 2 teacher evaluation forms; Academic LOR (optional) |
| Interviews | Optional interview (may be conducted by an alumnus) |
| Additional Requirements | Optional supplementary materials such as artwork, music recordings, or research abstracts |
Learn how Rostrum can help you prepare for the Standardised tests, such as the ACT or the SAT.
Requirements for Harvard University Postgraduate Admissions
The following conditions must be fulfilled by international applicants to Harvard University’s postgraduate programs:
| Category | Details |
| Application Fee | $105 USD (approx. ₹8,740 INR) |
| Academic Requirements | – Academic transcripts – GPA: 4.0 out of 4 (97–100%) |
| English Proficiency Requirements | – TOEFL score of 104 or above |
| Standardised Test Score | – GRE or GMAT (if applicable) – Median GRE: 300 – Median GMAT: 730 |
| SOP / LOR | – Statement of Purpose (SOP) up to 1,500 words – 3 Letters of Recommendation (2 academic, 1 professional) |
| CV / Résumé | – Required |
| Proof of Finances | – Financial certification |
Harvard Admission Requirements – Documents
To complete the admission process, students must submit the following documentation:
- Completed Application Form
- Academic Transcripts
- Secondary School Report
- Standardised Test Scores (e.g., GMAT, GRE, SAT, or ACT)
- English Proficiency Score Report (IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE)
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Personal Essay or Statement of Purpose
- Midyear School Report (to include first-semester grades)
- Resume or CV
- Student Visa (USA)
- Proof of Financial Support
Harvard University Scholarships for International Students 2025
To assist Indian students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees, Harvard University provides a number of esteemed scholarships. An outline of the main financial aid programs offered by Harvard University, together with information on their requirements and advantages, may be found below.
Students with a strong leadership background, especially those working for non-profit organisations, are eligible to receive this fellowship.
Once every two years, the Boustany MBA Harvard Scholarship is awarded for a two-year course at Harvard Business School.
The Scholarship covers the following:
- Travel and lodging costs associated with the internship;
- Financial aid equal to 75% of the tuition fees.
- Need-Based Fellowships
Harvard offers need-based scholarships to individuals who possess strong academic credentials but limited financial resources. You would want to inquire about these scholarships by visiting the official website.
Harvard University scholarships for international students offer opportunities for academic success and invaluable financial support, while providing a top-notch education.
FAQ on How to Get into Harvard University
Q. How to get into Harvard University as a Hong Kong student?
A. Hong Kong students who want to attend Harvard should have a solid academic and extracurricular record, together with outstanding HKDSE, IB, or A-Level marks. High SAT/ACT and TOEFL/IELTS scores can improve your application, even when standardised tests are optional. Harvard emphasises accomplishments in research, contests, or community service because it promotes leadership, initiative, and influence outside of the classroom. The Common App is used to submit applications, which also include school records, essays, and references. Harvard provides considerable financial help and is need-blind for international students. To stand out in a very competitive application pool, get ready early, look for capable mentors, and create an engaging, genuine story.
Q. How to get into Harvard University as an UAE student?
A. Academic excellence is a must for UAE students applying to Harvard, regardless of whether they are pursuing the American, IB, or A-Levels curriculum. Important factors include excellent grades, a demanding course selection, and high standardised test scores (if provided). Harvard emphasises research, MUNs, internships, and nonprofit work because it promotes leadership, creativity, and social impact. Send in your application via the Common App together with your academic records, recommendation letters, and essays. It might be necessary to demonstrate English competence (TOEFL/IELTS). Harvard offers full financial aid based on need and is need-blind for international candidates. To increase your chances of acceptance, start early and concentrate on creating a compelling, well-rounded profile.
