Admissions

The Future Is Calling

Harness your curiosity and learn about the world—and yourself. Through our liberal arts and sciences curriculum, you'll discover how to use your passions to build a bright future.

There is no single academic path we expect all students to follow, but the strongest applicants take the most rigorous secondary school curricula available to them. An ideal four-year preparatory program includes four years of English, with extensive practice in writing; four years of math; four years of science: biology, chemistry, physics, and an advanced course in one of these subjects; three years of history, including American and European history; and four years of one foreign language.
Do not let the admissions application fee prevent you from applying! In the spirit of our honor code, if the admissions application fee presents a hardship for you or your family, the fee will be waived.

If you meet the indicators of economic need on the Common Application or the Coalition Application, you can request a fee waiver directly through the application. If you do not meet the indicators of economic need or you are applying using the Universal Application, please fill out our Admissions Application Fee Waiver Request Form.

Requesting a fee waiver will not disadvantage your application in any way.

A Message for Students Applying to Harvard College This Year

Students facing difficulties in meeting admissions deadlines due to extreme events such as major storms, community crises, or unusual personal challenges should rest assured that we are prepared to help in any way we can. For assistance, please contact our office at (617) 495-1551 or fileroom@fas.harvard.edu

Why Harvard

Discover what makes Harvard the standard for liberal arts and sciences education. From our unparalleled academics to our revolutionary financial aid, we strive to offer the best resources to the next generation of leaders.

Visit & Explore

Meet current students, explore Cambridge and Boston, and learn more about everyday life at Harvard.

A Student’s Guide to Boston

Allison Scharmann '21

a waterside view of the boston public garden

Calculate Your Estimated Scholarship

How affordable is Harvard? See for yourself with our Net Price Calculator.

Net Price Calculator

How to Apply

We’ll guide you through the Common Application, Universal Application, or Coalition Application and answer any questions you have along the way.

Upcoming Deadlines

January 1

Regular Decision application deadline. Please submit all application materials by January 1st for Regular Decision consideration. View the first-year application requirements.