Let us Help you Apply

Each applicant to Harvard College is considered with great care. We consider each applicant to Harvard College as a whole person, and put enormous care into evaluating every application. We hope you will explore the information in this section to understand what we look for in our admissions process.

How to Apply

Submit your application through the Common Application, the Coalition Application, or the Universal College 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. View our Application Tips for step-by-step information.

View our application process for more information 

When to Apply

Early Action applicants apply by the November 1 deadline and hear from us by mid-December. If you apply to Harvard under our Early Action program, you may also apply at the same time to any public college/university or to foreign universities but you are restricted from applying to other private universities’ Early Action and Early Decision programs. You may apply under our Regular Decision program until January 1.  

Our application timeline

What We Look For

We seek promising students who will contribute to the Harvard community during their college years, and to society throughout their lives.

While academic accomplishment is important, the Admissions Committee considers many other factors—strong personal qualities, special talents or excellences of all kinds, perspectives formed by unusual personal circumstances, and the ability to take advantage of available resources and opportunities.

Read more about our admissions process

Parts of the Application

We outline everything you need to apply to Harvard and describe each component of your application. 

First-Year application requirements

Transfer application requirements

Visiting Undergraduate Student requirements

International student information

Key Dates

See the full timeline.