Is it really hard to get into Harvard University?

Harvard University is a highly competitive school with an acceptance rate of 4.64%. The Harvard Early Action acceptance rate was 7.9% for the class of 2026. Nearly 60,000 applicants applied for the Harvard class of 2025, a marked increase from just over 40,000 the previous year.

How hard is it actually to get into Harvard?

For every 100 applicants, only 3 are admitted. This means the school is extremely selective. Meeting their GPA requirements and SAT/ACT requirements is very important to getting past their first round of filters and proving your academic preparation.

What GPA do you need to get into Harvard?

The GPA requirements for Harvard University are between 3.9 to 4.1. You will need an incredibly high GPA and will likely be graduating at the top of their class in order to get into Harvard University.

Can an average person get into Harvard?

To be considered for admission to Harvard, you must earn top grades in high school. According to College Data, 76% of the admitted freshmen in the class of 2026 had a GPA of 4.0 or above, and 18% had GPAs from 3.78 to 3.99.

How rare is it to get into Harvard?

Harvard University has an acceptance rate of 3%. Half the applicants admitted to Harvard University who submitted test scores have an SAT score between 1490 and 1580 or an ACT score of 34 and 36. However, one quarter of admitted applicants achieved scores above these ranges and one quarter scored below these ranges.

Is Harvard Hard? From Experience

Is a 4.7 GPA good for Harvard?

Final Admissions Verdict

To be safe, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1580 SAT and a 4 GPA or higher to be above average.

Can I get into Harvard with a 2.0 GPA?

Can I Get into Harvard with a Low GPA? While it's certainly possible to get into Harvard with a low GPA, as the numbers bear out, it's improbable. For the Class of 2026, a mere 2.09% of admitted students to Harvard had GPAs below 3.5.

Does Harvard accept B's?

It's definitely possible to get in even with a few Bs, but it's certainly harder.

Can I get into Harvard with one C?

Definitely! I realize, though, that it might not be realistic to get 100% As from now on. Whether or not that's possible, it's definitely in your best interest to do as well as you can and particularly to raise your Algebra 2 grade before the end of the year.

Do I need straight A's to get into Harvard?

It's extremely competitive. They don't REQUIRE straight A's… but remember, if you submit an application without straight A's, another student will submit an application who does have them, and so you'd better be giving them a good reason to accept you over that other student.

Is Harvard or Yale a better school?

In almost all the major ranking factors, Harvard has the upper hand except for the faculty/student ratio. Here, Yale is ranked at 4th while Harvard is at 40th. This aside, Harvard ranks first in academics and graduate employers while Yale is at ninth.

What type of student is Harvard looking for?

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 personal qualities and character.

Is a 3.7 GPA good for Harvard?

Harvard does not have a minimum GPA requirement. However, Harvard is highly competitive, so it may be challenging to get in with a 3.7 GPA. The average GPA for entering Harvard students is 3.9.

How do you realistically get into Harvard?

Why is Harvard so special?

Harvard College is a close-knit undergraduate community within Harvard University. With world-class faculty, groundbreaking research opportunities, and a commitment to a diverse environment of bright, talented students, Harvard is more than just a place to get an education—it's where students come to be transformed.

Can you get into Harvard with an F?

Getting into Harvard, or any prestigious university, is a competitive process that takes into account a variety of factors beyond just grades. While having an F in math may make it more challenging, there are still things you can do to improve your chances.

What is the lowest grade Harvard accepts?

There is no minimum grade point average. A candidate's complete background is taken into account in the admissions evaluation.

Can you get into Harvard with 2 B's?

Can you get into the Ivy League with mostly A's and a couple of B's? Yes, you can get into top schools with some B's, but it depends on the rest of your academic profile. And you should be asking yourself a few different questions about your high school GPA for a better understanding of your chances.

Does Harvard Look at 8th grade?

No, Harvard does not look at middle school grades. However, developing good study habits and work ethic during middle school can build the foundations for your high school marks and academic achievements that Harvard will look at.

Will one B hurt my GPA?

Your B will hardly make a dent in your GPA, and assuming that will be your only B by graduation, your GPA will be in the high 90th percentile even at the most competitive schools. College admissions is also holistic, so admissions readers will pay more attention to other parts of your profile than your one B.

Is 1200 a good SAT score?

The average SAT score is a 1040, so a 1200 is above average. A 1200 SAT score is between the 71st and 80th percentile of test takers, meaning that you scored above 71-80% of other students. A score of 1200 opens a wide range of college options, assuming you have comparable grades (mostly A's and B's).

What is a 95 in GPA?

A 4.0 GPA, or Grade Point Average, is equivalent to an A letter grade on a 4.0 GPA scale. This means it is equivalent to 93-95%. The national average GPA is 3.0 which means a 4.0 is far above average. At many schools, a 4.0 is the absolute highest GPA you can earn.

Will a 36 ACT get you into Harvard?

Average ACT: 34

The 25th percentile ACT score is 34, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 36. In other words, a 34 places you below average, while a 36 will move you up to above average. There's no absolute ACT requirement at Harvard, but they really want to see at least a 34 to have a chance at being considered.