Loading...
Loading...
Cambridge, MA · Private · Medium · Urban
Admitted students who enroll
Of enrolling students
How much the school says contact matters
Deadlines, fees, testing policy, and recommendation requirements come from the Common App 2026-2027 First-Year Deadlines, Fees and Requirements file published August 28, 2026. Schools can still change a date after publication, so confirm anything you are close to with the school.
Rated Very important in the 2024-2025 Common Data Set this school published.
Admitted students who enroll
Of enrolled students
Of enrolled students
Reported by the school to IPEDS for fall 2023 admission.
Tuition, housing, food, and fees
Sticker figures. What a family actually pays depends on income and aid, which is what the financial aid tools are for.
| Major | Degrees | Graduates here | Same major nationally |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | 258 | $161,251 | $82,686 |
| Social Sciences, General | 189 | $76,293 | $53,366 |
| Computer Science | 183 | $219,550 | $107,009 |
| Political Science and Government | 164 | $117,484 | $63,293 |
| History | 161 | $94,015 | $50,680 |
| Applied Mathematics | 120 | $178,318 | $91,532 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 101 | $102,305 | $55,695 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 100 | $75,342 | $62,451 |
Average net price paid by aided students in each family income band, after grants and scholarships. Usually far below the sticker price above.
Sources: this school's published Common Data Set, the Common App 2026-2027 member requirements file, and federal cost and outcomes data. See how our data works, or read the complete manual.
Add your GPA and test scores in Settings to see your estimated chances at Harvard University.
Plan to submit either the SAT or the ACT.
Common App personal statement (650 words) + 5 supplementals
Heavy supplemental load - start early.
For exact prompts, check the school's admissions page or the Common App once writing opens (Aug 1).
1 counselor + 2 teacher recommendations required
When recommended, treat as required. Sign up early - alumni interview slots fill fast.
This school does not consider interest. Don't burn time on it - focus on the application itself.
$95
Fee waivers available if you qualify (Common App fee waiver, school waiver, or counselor request).
If a parent attended, mention it on the application. Some schools have ended this practice - verify with current admissions guidance.
Sticker price means almost nothing. Harvard University's Net Price Calculator estimates what you'll actually pay after merit and need-based aid. Takes 10 minutes; needs household income and assets, plus a few academic numbers.
Open Harvard University's Net Price CalculatorHarvard University publishes its supplement only inside the Common App. Harvard does not publish its short-answer questions on its own admissions site. The five required 150-word questions live inside the Common App writing supplement. The prompts below are from the 2024-2025 cycle and are here so you can plan the work, not so you can write to them. For this year's exact wording, open your Common App account and go to My Colleges, Harvard University, Writing Supplement.
Open the Common AppHarvard University publishes its supplement only inside the Common App. Harvard does not publish its short-answer questions on its own admissions site. The five required 150-word questions live inside the Common App writing supplement. The prompts below are from the 2024-2025 cycle and are here so you can plan the work, not so you can write to them. For this year's exact wording, open your Common App account and go to My Colleges, Harvard University, Writing Supplement.
Open the Common AppHarvard does not publish its short-answer questions on its own admissions site. The five required 150-word questions live inside the Common App writing supplement.
Background experiences
Required200 words“Harvard has long recognized the importance of student body diversity of all kinds. We welcome you to write about distinctive aspects of your background, personal development or the intellectual interests you might bring to your Harvard classmates.”
Start essay with this prompt →Intellectual experience
Required200 words“Briefly describe an intellectual experience that was important to you.”
Start essay with this prompt →Extracurricular / work experience
Required200 words“Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are.”
Start essay with this prompt →Future contribution
Required200 words“How do you hope to use your Harvard education in the future?”
Start essay with this prompt →Roommate
Required200 words“Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.”
Start essay with this prompt →Last verified 2024-09-01 · Cycle 2024-2025 · For the current cycle, double-check the school's admissions writing page.
This school explicitly does not consider demonstrated interest in admissions decisions. Don't spend time visiting, opening every email, or following on social purely for admissions. Those things won't move the needle here.
Where to spend time instead: the application itself. Strong essays, tight activities list, recommendations from teachers who know you well.
Research University
Yes
Co-op / Internship
Limited
Est. Net Price (You)
$61,676
Based on "none" need
Sticker tuition
$61,676
Before aid
Total Estimated 4-Year Cost
$246,704
Out-of-state pricing with estimated aid
Greek Life
No
Study Abroad
16%
Religious Affiliation
None
Football Conference
Ivy
Debt-to-Income
12.3%
Average debt against 10-year earnings
Est. 10-Year ROI
$934,296
(10yr earnings x 10) - 4yr cost
This school gives legacy preference. If a parent or grandparent attended, highlight it.
Deadline / RD: January 1, 2027
110 days remaining (RD)
Application Platform: Common App
Supplemental Essays: 5
Interview: Recommended
Recommendation letters needed
Test scores required
Get candid student reviews, rankings, and additional data from these sources:
Data from US Department of Education College Scorecard, National Center for Education Statistics, and institutional disclosures.
| Chemistry | 76 | - | $65,120 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | 75 | $87,380 | $66,697 |
| Mathematics | 61 | - | $69,562 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 60 | $77,952 | $48,842 |
Median earnings of this school's graduates in each major, roughly five years out, beside the national median for the same major.