HOW TO APPLY TO HARVARD COLLEGE AND ITS REQUIREMENTS

Here you'll find a detailed explanation of each admission application requirement. Most of the information here applies to both first-year and transfer applicants. Don't forget to reference our Application Tips for guidance on filling out the Common Applications

APPLICATION

We accept the Common Application, the Universal College Application, and the Coalition Application. Each is treated equally by the Admissions Committee. Complete and submit your materials as soon as possible to ensure full and timely consideration of your application. If you use the Common Application, you must submit your application before your supporting materials (Secondary School Report, Teacher Reports, etc.) can be released to a college. Until you submit your own application sections, no part of your application will be transmitted to the Harvard Admissions Office. The Universal College Application does not require this same process.

SCHOOL REPORTS AND TEACHER RECOMMENDATION

MID YEAR REPORT

When you apply, your school counselor will often send your transcript with few or no senior year course grades included. That is why the midyear school report is required - to allow us to review your performance in the first half of your senior year coursework. The midyear school report must be completed by your school counselor or other school official. Please request that the midyear school report is completed and returned to our office as soon as possible

TEACHER EVALUATION

Ask two teachers in different academic subjects who know you well to complete the Teacher Evaluation forms. If you wish to submit additional letters of recommendation, you can do so after you submit your application. In your application confirmation email, there will be a personalized link to send to your recommenders.

FINAL SCHOOL REPORTS AND TRANSCRIPTS

All admitted students who choose to enroll are required to send a Final School Report and transcript as soon as their final grades become available – no later than July 1. The Final School Report and transcript should be completed and sent by a school counselor or other school official through Parchment/Docufide or Scrip-Safe International, if your school has access to these submission options.

IB students should send their final results as soon as they are released in mid-July. We will expect to see final A levels results by mid-August.

STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES

For the upcoming application cycle for the Class of 2025 (first-year applicants only), students may apply for admission without standardized test scores. Please read our announcement for more details on the application changes for the upcoming year. 

If you choose to submit standardized tests, you may submit the ACT or SAT, but you may choose to submit with or without the writing component. If you choose to submit Subject Tests, it is more useful to choose only one mathematics test rather than two. Similarly, if your first language is not English, a Subject Test in your first language may be less helpful. You should submit scores from tests taken in the past three years.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS

SAT Subject Tests are not required for students applying for first-year admission to the Class of 2025. Read our announcement for more details.

While we normally recommend that you submit two SAT Subject Tests, you may apply without them if the cost of the tests represents a financial hardship or if you prefer to have your application considered without them.

Standardized testing is only one component of our admissions process and your application will be evaluated on the basis of all submitted information. Standardized tests are best viewed as rough yardsticks of academic progress which are greatly affected by academic opportunity.