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Harvard University Admissions 2025: Application Deadline, Requirements & Costs

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Dark Clock Icon Last updated on 5 Nov '24, by Chandra Shekhar (Study Abroad Expert)

Harvard University Admissions
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International students can apply for Harvard University admissions 2025 to study undergraduate and graduate programs. Applicants must submit an online application by the below deadlines:

  • The Harvard application deadline 2025 for undergraduate admission is Jan 01, 2025
  • The Harvard application deadline for MBA admission in round 1 is Jan 06, 2025

Harvard University Admission Process 2025

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Commonly asked questions
On Admissions

Q:   How can I apply to Harvard University for MBA?

A: 

International students who wish to study at Harvard, must meet the Harvard University admission requirements for MBA course are given below: 

Q:   What is the GMAT score required for Harvard?

A: 

To apply for Harvard graduate admission, applicanta can submit thier GMAT score along with thier admision application. There is no minimum GMAT score to apply for Harvard admission. But, the MBA class of 2024 has a median GMAT score of total of 740. Check the complete deatil about the Harvard MBA class 2025 GMAT score:

ParticularScore Range
Verbal Range25-51
Quantitative Range31-51
Total Range500-790
Median Verbal42
Median Quantitative49
Median Total740

Q:   How can I get into Harvard University if I am currently studying in India?

A: 

According to some of student reviews at an unofficial source, the following are the key points that Indian students have to keep in mind if they want to get into Harvard University:

  • Focus on Academics: Try to ace your academics. Get good marks in the standardized tests (as required), school examinations, Olympiad tests, etc. In short, have a stellar academic record
  • Extra-curriculars: Choose any activity as per hobbies and be the best. For instance, if you like debating, try to win some of the international debates, etc.
  • Sports: If you can represent India abroad and manage to win, it will boost your Harvard University application considerably

Q:   What are the Admission Requirements for Undergraduate Programs at Harvard University?

A: 

To get admission to Harvard University, applicants have to meet the admission requirements as per their program. Below the Harvard University requirements for international students to study Undergraduate Programs:

First-Year Applicants

  • SAT or ACT scores (For those who want to submit, test-optional)
  • A strong knowledge of English is required to successfully study at Harvard. However, first-year applicants are not required to take an English language proficiency exam i.e. TOEFL / IELTS, etc. However, if they feel like they want to submit it, they can do so
  • School report and high school transcript
  • Two teacher recommendations
  • Mid-year school report and final school report (for admitted students only)

Harvard University MBA Admissions 2025

7 courses 9 months - 2 years
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17.9L - 64.4L

iconEligibility Criteria

  • Accepting Exams: IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, PTE, GMAT, GRE
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Commonly asked questions
On MBA/PGDM Admissions

Q:   What is the maximum salary for Harvard MBA?

A: 

According to the data of the class of 2023, 73% of students sought employment. Out of this, 86% received an offer and 80% accepted an offer. The median base salary was $175,000 and the median signing bonus was $30,000. Some of the industries that were most popular among students included Consulting, Health Care, Private Equity, Technology, Venture Capital, Hedge Fund, etc.

Q:   Which MBA is better for Indian - IIM A or Harvard Business School (HBS)? What kind of placements does HBS provide for Indians?

A: 

Harvard MBA and IIM A MBA both have their own strengths and are suited for different career paths. A comparison for both the MBAs are given below:

IIM-A MBA

  • Significant to the Indian market: IIM-A is focused on the Indian market, offering students with a deep understanding of the local business environment and the unique challenges and opportunities it presents
  • Cost-Effective: When compared with Harvard Business School, attending IIM-A is more cost-effective, therefore, making it more accessible to many Indian students

Harvard Business School

  • Cutting-edge curriculum: HBS has a strong reputation for innovation and thought leadership in the business world, providing students with access to the latest thinking and best practices in their fields
  • Global reputation: HBS is one of the most prestigious business schools in the world, offering students with access to a powerful alumni network and a wealth of global business opportunities

When it comes to placements, both IIM-A and HBS have strong track records of placing graduates in top companies, both in India and around the world. IIM-A may offer opportunities in the Indian markets, whereas, HBS may offer global opportunities and exposure to multinational companies.

Eventually, the choice to study whether at IIM-A or HBS will depend on a student’s career goals, budget and personal preference.

Q:   What are the minimum requirements to gain admission in MBA at Harvard University?

A: 

International students who wish to study MBA at Harvard must complete a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline. Applicants must have a qualifying GPA of 3.0 or above on a scale of 4.0 to get admission to Harvard MBA. Mentioned below are the Harvard MBA requirements for international students:

  • A 4-year undergraduate degree or its equivalent
  • GMAT / GRE test results
  • Academic transcripts
  • TOEFL / IELTS / PTE / Duolingo score
  • Two recommendation letter
  • Resume / CV

After the submission of the application, students are required to go through an interview round.

Harvard University Application Process 2025

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Commonly asked questions
On Application Process

Q:   Can I apply to Harvard without SAT?

A: 

For the Harvard College classes of 2027-2030, students can apply for admission without standardized test scores, meaning without SAT or ACT scores. But, you can submit the standardized test scores but, those who will not submit these scores will not be at a disadvantage. Harvard University is consistent with its whole-person admission process and the standardized tests are one of the factors among many others. The accomplishments of students in and out of the classroom during the high school years like extracurricular activities, community involvement, family responsibilities, etc. are considered too.

Q:   How can I get into Harvard Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Finance?

A: 

Harvard University admission requirements for Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Finance include having a 4-year bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent. Students need to submit the English language proficiency score too. The application requires materials like academic transcripts, updated resume, personal statement, any other additional document (as applicable).

Q:   How to apply for Harvard Master's in Data Science?

A: 

To apply to Harvard MSc in Data Science, the applicants are required to apply through the designated application link mentioned on the official website. Harvard University admission requirements for MSc in Data Science are given below:

  • Online application form
  • Statement of Purpose
  • 3 letters of recommendation
  • Academic transcripts
  • CV or resume
  • TOEFL / IELTS score report
  • Any other application material

Harvard University expects from applicants to have a knowledge of Calculus and Linear Algebra; familiarity with Probability and Statistical Inference; Fluency in at least one programming language such as Python or R, and understanding of basic Computer Science concepts.

Harvard University Enrollment Statistics 2025

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Commonly asked questions
On Admission

Q:   Is it harder to get into MIT or Harvard?

A: 

Both MIT and Harvard are among the toughest university in the world to get into. If we compared them in terms of their acceptance rate, then Massachusetts Institute of Technology acceptance rate is 4.8% while Harvard University acceptance rate is 3.24%. This clearly shows that admissions at both the university are highly competitive but Harvard is harder to get into then MIT.

Q:   Is it too hard to get into Harvard?

A: 

Yes, it is difficult for international students to get admission at Harvard University because of its high acceptance rate. Harvard University acceptance rate is 3.41%, which means the admissions are moderatly competative. The university is highly selective and the chances of getting admitted increase if your grades are at the top and your extra-curricular activities align with Harvard’s values. In short, to get into Harvard, you need a high GPA, high-standardized test scores (if applicable), involvement in extra-curricular activities, good essays, etc. Harvard College admitted 3.41% of applicants to the class of 2027, making the second-the lowest admission rate in the history of the college. For the Class of 2027, Harvard College has offered regular admission to 1,220 applicants, with 1,942 admitted in total. The total number of applications for the Class of 2027 was 56,937.

Also Check: Harvard University Acceptance Rate for International Students 

Q:   Can I apply to Harvard after 12th?

A: 

Yes, Indian students can apply for Harvard admission after 12th class by meeting the undergraduate admission requirements. You can submit your admission application through online portal. Applicants must submit the standardized test score as part of the comprehensive application process. The College will accept the SAT or ACT to meet the standardized testing requirement.

Harvard University Admissions 2025 FAQs

Q:   When is the application deadline for Harvard University?

A: 

Applicants can check the Harvard University admissions deadlines below for undergraduate and graduate admission:

Type of Deadline

Application Deadline

Admission Decision

Restrictive Early Action

01 Nov, 2024

Mid-Dec

Regular Decision

01 Jan, 2025

End of Mar

The application deadlines for graduate courses at Harvard University vary from programme to program. The admission dates for Harvard University’s MBA programme are given below:

Round (For Fall 2024)

Application Deadline

Admission Decision

Round 1

06 Sep, 2024

06 Dec, 2024

Round 2

03 Jan, 2025

27 Mar, 2025

Application dates for MBA 2024 2+2 deferred admission applicants are:

Application Period

Application Deadline

Admission Decision

2+2 Round

Apr 25, 2025 (submitted by 12 Noon Boston time)

27 Jun, 2025

We have the latest Harvard University rankings

Q:   Does Harvard require an English proficiency test?

A: 

International students whose first language is not English must meet the Harvard University English language requirements for UG and PG admissions. The language requirements vary as per the school and programme type. Mentioned below are general Harvard University Duolingo requirements along with details on other test scores:

English Language Test

Minimum UG Score

Minimum PG Score

IELTS

6.5

7.5

TOEFL iBT

80

109

PTE

60

75

Duolingo

100

145

Note: Harvard undergraduate admission to the Class of 2025 is test optional and a lack of test results will not affect students’ chances of admission.

Check how to Study in the USA without IELTS and TOEFL

Q:   Can Indian get admission in Harvard University?

A: 

Indian students can get admission at Harvard University in America if they meet the entry criteria. Students can apply for Harvard University admissions online through the Common Application or Coalition Application to study UG programs. Many Indian students apply here and get admisison to thier perefered program every year. Harvard University acceptance rate is moderatly high, which means admissions are moderatly competitive. Mentioned below are the University of Harvard admission requirements for Indian students to get admission in UG program:

  • SAT or ACT scores are optional
  • Must meet English language proficiency requirements
  • School report and high school transcript
  • Letters of Recommendation from two teacher
  • Mid-year school report and final school report (for admitted students only)

Q:   What does Harvard University look for in college applicants?

A: 

Students who are planning to enrolled at Harvard must have other qualities apart from meeting the admission requirements. The Harvard University Admission Committee considers many other factors such as strong personal qualities, special talents or excellences of all kinds, and the ability to take advantage of available resources and opportunities. The university looking for the profile with an outstanding personal qualities, students who excel in one or more extracurricular activities, etc.

Q:   Which Indian students are famous in Harvard University?

A: 

There is a long list of famous Indian students who complete their degree from Harvard University. The table below includes the list of some popular Harvard Indian graduates:

StudentsProfession
Ratan Naval TataIndian industrialist
Anand Gopal MahindraChairman of Mahindra Group
Rahul BajajChairman Emeritus of the Indian conglomerate Bajaj Group
Suhel SethCo-founder of Equus Redcell Advertising Co. Ltd

Q:   How hard is it to get into Harvard?

A: 

The Harvard acceptance rate is around 3.41%,  which means admission at Harvard University is too hard for internationl students. The university is highly selective and the chances of getting admitted increase if your grades are at the top and your extra-curricular activities align with Harvard’s values. For the Class of 2027, Harvard College has offered regular admission to 1,220 applicants, with 1,942 admitted in total. The total number of applications for the Class of 2027 was 56,937.

Also Check: Harvard University Acceptance Rate for International Students 

Q:   How can I get admission to Harvard for LLM?

A: 

Admission to LLM program at Harvard University is highly competitive. Each year, around 1600 applicants compete for around 180 places in the LLM program. 

Harvard University admission requirements for LLM course are: 

  • The applicants must have a J.D. (Juris Doctor) from an ABA approved US Law School or a first-law degree (J.D., LLB or equivalent) from a foreign law school
  • While evaluating the applications, the Committee of Harvard University takes into consideration the applicant’s grades and rank in their law and other university studies, occupational interests, letters of recommendation, professional and personal achievements, and other factors. 

Q:   How much will a Masters in Computational Science and Engineering at Harvard cost?

A: 

The first-year tuition fee for MS in Computational Science and Engineering at Harvard University will be around INR 50 lakhs. Some of the other expenses in the first year will be of accommodation and meals, insurance, books and supplies, etc. All of the other expenses included in the first-year will account for INR 19 lakh.

Q:   Can I do LLM from Harvard University?

A: 

Students can get admission to Harvard University LLM program if they meet the program requirements. Applicants must have a first law degree from a recognized Law school. Final year Law students must complete the degree no later than June of the year in which you intend to enroll. In addition to submitting the online LL.M. application, the Harvard University application deadline is 01 Dec, 2024. Below are the application materials checklist:

  • Online application form
  • CV/Résumé
  • Personal statement, parts (A) and (B)
  • Transcript(s) (including diplomas for all degrees that have been received)
  • Recommendations (at least two)
  • Official TOEFL report (if applicable; please note that we do not accept MyBest™ TOEFL score reports)*
  • Financial Aid application (if applicable)
  • Application fee of USD 85 or INR 7,103.90

Q:   Is Harvard University expensive for Indians?

A: 

Getting into Harvard University can be challenging but the university provides financial aid to international students. So, the total estimated cost of attendance at Harvard College shall be lower as Harvard provides financial aid or scholarships. Check Harvard University fees for indian students from the table given below: 

Expenses2023-24 Cost of Attendance
TuitionUSD 54,269
FeesUSD 4,807
HousingUSD 12,424
FoodUSD 7,950

Other Expenses

ExpensesAmount in USD 
Estimated personal expensesUSD 2,500
Estimated booksUSD 1,000
Estimated transport costsUSD 0 - USD 4,500

Additionally, health insurance is required at a cost of USD 4,120 (for 2023-24) unless students are covered in their family’s health plan

Read: Cost of Living in USA for International Students 

Q:   What is the difference between Harvard College and Harvard University?

A: 

Harvard College is the undergraduate core of Harvard University. It only awards bachelor’s degrees and is one of the oldest institute of higher education. All graduate and professional degrees are conferred by Harvard University. All the graduate and professional schools maintain their own admissions offices and teaching faculties, and are run independently of Harvard College.

Q:   How do I get into Harvard for CSE Masters?

A: 

Check the Harvard University University admission requirements for Harvard University MS in CSE: 

  • A bachelor’s degree in the relevant field
  • Completed application form
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Transcripts
  • CV or Resume
  • TOEFL / IELTS score report

Q:   What is the average tuition a student pays to study at Harvard?

A: 

The Harvard University tuition fees for international students varies from INR 16 L to INR 72 L for first year. We have mentioned below the first-year Harvard University fees for Indian students with course duration:

Courses1st Year Tuition Fees
MIM (9 months-2 years)
INR 18 L - 47 L
MS (1 year-3 years)
INR 18 L - 72 L
MBA/PGDM (9 months-2 years)
INR 18 L - 62 L
BSc (4 years)
INR 41 L - 45 L
BA (4 years)
INR 41 L - 45 L
MA (12 months-3 years)
INR 17 L - 44 L
BE / BTech (4 years)
INR 45 L
LLM (1 years)
INR 59 L
Others UG (4 years)
INR 41 L - 44 L

Read about the Harvard University job outcomes

Q:   What is the fees for LLM at Harvard?

A: 

A year of an LLM programme at Harvard’s Law School is expensive. Check the 2023-24 academic year budget from the table given below:

ParticularsAmount (USD)
TuitionUSD 73,600
Health Insurance and Health Services FeesUSD 5,528
Activities FeesUSD 400
Rent and UtilitiesUSD 17,100
FoodUSD 5,850
Personal ExpensesUSD 5,647
Books & SuppliesUSD 1,650
TravelUSD 1,725
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Chandra Shekhar

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With over 6 years of overall work experience in Content Writing, Chandra Shekhar has worked on various content writing profiles like Technical and Education-based. He has been involved in writing for higher education and abroad studies for more than ...Read Full Bio

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