Applying to Harvard University for its undergraduate program can seem daunting, but the process is more manageable when you break it into steps. Harvard University uses the Common Application for first-year undergraduate applications. The Common App is an online application platform used by more than 1,000 colleges and universities, so applicants can complete one core application and submit it to multiple schools.
We’ve simplified the undergraduate application steps for you. We will discuss each step so you can better understand what you need to do or prepare.
Application Process for Undergraduate Program
Step 1. Decide Which Program to Apply for and Check the Application Deadline
One of the first things you need to do is review your academic interests. Harvard College applicants do not need to choose an official major, called a concentration at Harvard, when they apply. Instead, you can explore Harvard’s undergraduate fields of study and think about the academic interests you may want to discuss in your application. Students officially declare their concentrations in the fall of sophomore year.
After you have reviewed your academic interests, check the application timeline. Our advice is to apply as early as possible so that you have enough time to complete the requirements.
Step 2. Create an Account at Common App or Coalition Application
Harvard requires first-year applicants, including international applicants, to submit the Common Application with Harvard’s required supplements. Eligible applicants may also apply through QuestBridge’s National College Match. For current applicants, use the Common Application rather than the Coalition Application unless Harvard updates its official instructions for your application cycle.
Create a Common App account and complete the required sections, including the questions, activities list, personal essay, Harvard College Questions, and any required supplemental materials.
Step 3. Upload all Documents Required
As you complete your Common App, you will need to attach or arrange for the required documents and reports. Some materials, such as the School Report and teacher recommendations, are submitted by your school counselor or teachers. Before submitting each part of the application, double-check the information for consistency with your other documents and correct any errors as soon as possible.
Step 4. Submit Early and Pay for the Application Fee
Once you have reviewed all the requirements and answered all the questions, the next step is to pay the application fee, which is $90. This fee is nonrefundable, but you can request a fee waiver if the fee presents a financial hardship. Paying the fee or receiving a fee waiver and submitting the required materials means you have completed your part of the application.
Harvard’s current first-year deadlines are November 1 for Restrictive Early Action and January 1 for Regular Decision. Restrictive Early Action applicants receive decisions by mid-December, while Regular Decision applicants receive decisions by the end of March. Check Harvard’s official application timeline for your application cycle because dates and requirements can change.
Application Requirements for Undergraduate Program
Here’s a list of the necessary application components you need to submit or arrange:
- Common Application, including the required questions, activities list, and personal essay
- Harvard College Questions for the Common Application: five required short-answer questions with 150-word limits for each question
- SAT or ACT scores. In exceptional cases when these tests are not accessible, Harvard may accept AP exam results, IB actual or predicted scores, GCSE/A-Level actual or predicted results, or national leaving exam results or predictions to meet the standardized testing requirement.
- Optional AP or other examination results
- School Report, including a counselor letter, and high school transcript
- Two teacher recommendations
- $90 application fee or fee waiver
- Midyear School Report after your first-semester grades
- Final School Report for admitted students only
First-year and transfer applicants are not required to take an English proficiency exam, such as TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo. You may submit English proficiency scores if you wish, but they cannot be used to meet Harvard’s standardized testing requirement.
Harvard is an extremely selective university, even for undergraduate admission. For the admitted Class of 2029, Harvard reported 47,893 applicants and 2,003 admitted students. This simplified guide may be short, but the preparation process can take several months. To all students planning to study at Harvard, our advice is to start as early as possible. Your application should stand out among the thousands of applications Harvard receives each application cycle.
We hope that this article on how to apply to Harvard University as an undergraduate student was helpful. If you are interested in studying abroad, check out our Guide to Studying in the USA and Available Programs for International Students!
