Harvard College VS Harvard University: The Differences and 10 Tips to Apply

Harvard College VS Harvard University

What's the difference between Harvard College and Harvard University? It can be difficult to tell, especially if you're not a student or alumni. To make it easier for you, we've made a list of the key differences:

1. Harvard College is the oldest of Harvard’s eight undergraduate schools. Home to about six thousand students, Harvard College is a vibrant academic community that offers small classes with renowned professors. Many celebrities, world leaders like Barack Obama and Bill Clinton attend or attended in past times as well!
2. Harvard first trained people who would become clergy for different churches. As it became more secular, it made higher degrees available to students and changed its name to Harvard University.
3. Today, Harvard College is the school that majors in undergraduate degrees. It also provides graduate, baccalaureate and masters and professional degrees.
4. In the past, Harvard College was only governed by President and Fellows of Harvard. Today, as a university, it is also governed by both the Harvard Board of Overseers and the corporation.
5. Harvard College's mission is "to develop general educational skills with a specialized emphasis on research methods even as it receives pre-professional training" while Harvard University encourages students to learn about more broadly but not take coursework related to their chosen career path.

 

Harvard Admissions Statistics

Acceptance rates

The admissions rates at Harvard University are among the highest in the world. In 2017, only 5.2% of applicants were accepted into Harvard's undergraduate program for Fall 2017. This is a significant increase from 2016 when 4.4% of applicants were accepted to an undergraduate degree program for Fall 2016 and 2015 when 3.6% of applicants were accepted into an undergrad degree program for Fall 2015.

With acceptance rates like these, it can be difficult to get past their application process! During the recent years - due to “economic issues,” natural disasters, school closures, and global uncertainty caused by the pandemic - Harvard's acceptance rate is higher than usual at 5% vs 4.5-4.7%. The acceptance rate at the esteemed Harvard College will likely return to 4% once the world has recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Early Action vs. Regular Decision

You should also know that this number is an average of two acceptance rates, Early Action and Regular Decision. Applicants applying to Boston-based Harvard College are eligible for the school's Early Action program, which is an earlier application deadline that guarantees students they will receive their admissions decision by December 31.

In 2020, Harvard College’s early acceptance rate dropped to 7.4% (vs 13.9% in 2019), the most competitive in Harvard's history as total applicants reached a record high. In light of that, the acceptance rate for Regular Decision at Harvard is 3-6% which means putting off your application to Harvard College for a few months will devastate your chances of admission.

So, if you’re set on attending Harvard College, we recommend that you apply Early Action. Start planning early to ensure your application is ready in time.

Harvard Admission Requirements

What are the requirements for getting into Harvard? While there are many aspects of a college application, you should focus on only these factors:

• Harvard GPA, SAT and ACT requirements. One way to be competitive on their application is meeting the requirements for a high GPA and good SAT/ACT scores. If you don't meet Harvard's strict academic standards, then your chance of getting in is nearly impossible.
• Application requirements

Harvard GPA Requirements

Many schools have a minimum GPA requirement for prospective students, but this is often just the barest level of academic achievement to even be considered before being rejected. The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA that provides a real chance of being accepted.

To calculate this, we look at the school's current average GPA for accepted students. The average GPA for a student accepted to Harvard is 4.18, which requires you to be in the top of your class. Having nearly straight A's ensures that admission requirements are met. If your current GPA is below the school average of 4.18, you'll need to have an SAT score above 1500 or an ACT score of 27 to compensate for this in order to apply effectively.  

SAT and ACT Requirements

There are different requirements for standardized tests. Most schools require the SAT or ACT, and many also require SAT subject tests. Those who apply to Harvard must take either the SAT or ACT.  Also important, the test score should be high enough to have a strong application.  

Harvard SAT Requirements

Some schools claim to have no SAT cutoff, but this is not true; a school's average score determines the "hidden" SAT requirement. Harvard employs a 1600-point SAT scale, on which the average composite score is 1520. This puts Harvard in the top 5% of competitive schools for SAT scores.

Harvard SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

On the New SAT, if you get a 1460, you are below average. If you get a 1580, then you are above average.

SAT Score Choice Policy

One important aspect of the testing strategy is the score choice policy of your school. Harvard has selected "Highest Section" as its Score Choice Policy. This is also known as superscoring which means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school.

The application readers will look at the highest scores of all SAT test dates. Ideally you'll already be at a 1580+, but if not, it's recommended that you at least retake the SAT and work your way up to an ideal score.

The best part of the Superscore is that it allows you to focus all your energy on one test at a time. If one section in particular needs more attention than the others, work only to improve that section for now. Then take the SAT and see what your new score is in each subject area. This will give you the best Superscore possible.  

Harvard ACT Requirements

Unfortunately, Harvard does not have a cutoff for ACT scores. However if you score low on the ACT, your application will be rejected. You will need an ACT score that is higher than average. Average scores for the school are 34, and the 25th percentile of all scores is 33 with a 75th percentile of 35.

Harvard likely does not have a minimum ACT requirement, but if you apply with anything below 34, your chance of acceptance will decrease dramatically.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you elect to take the ACT instead of the SAT, this affects your testing strategy in a very advantageous way. That is: When students send ACT scores to colleges, they have the option of selecting which test results are sent and which ones will not be included in their application.

However, unlike the SAT, all tests on the SAT must be sent if schools request this information. With ACT requirements of a 35, you have more opportunities than you might originally think. Aiming for the school’s ACT requirement is not as difficult as it may seem; simply take the test again and send your final score to only those schools that require it.

ACT Superscore Policy

The majority of colleges do not superscore the ACT, but Harvard does. (Superscore means that your school will look at your best scores from all the tests you take. They will combine them together to make one score). Thus, most schools will accept your highest ACT score from a single sitting.  

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

There is an optional essay section for both the SAT and ACT. Harvard requires you to take the SAT essay / ACT writing section and they use this as another factor for admissions consideration.

SAT Subject Test Requirements

Not all schools require SAT subject tests, but Harvard does. Read on to see the list of required and recommended scores for this school. Typically, you should choose whether to improve your SAT or ACT scores based on what is needed at your top choice colleges. If you're considering Harvard, then it's best to focus more heavily on improving SAT/ACT score.

Tips for Applying to Harvard College

You can apply only to either Queen’s Eight or King’s Five if you are applying for admission into the academic programs at Harvard College whereas you can apply to both schools when applying for admittance into various programs at Harvard University.

1. Speak with your guidance counselor or other teachers who can better help you evaluate whether this is the right time
2. Be thorough when filling out the application to remove potential hurdles
3. Write a good personal statement or essay that demonstrates why YOU are an excellent candidate - not just someone who played lacrosse all year
4. Start early! Consider the schools you are interested in during your sophomore year, and do research by junior summer.
5. When considering schools to apply to, be thoughtful about your options. You don't want to get caught in a pile of applications resulting in too many deadlines and worrying about what you choose for the right school for you.
6. Track and/or mark all deadlines on your calendar so you can stay organized.
7. Submit your applications two days before the deadline to make sure you have time to review and resubmit them if needed..
8. When writing essays for your application to Harvard College, don't be afraid to let the admissions officers get know you better. Talk about how someone else affected your life in a way that ties back to you as an individual. Be genuine and honest instead of trying too hard at being perfect or someone you're not, and remember that honesty is important above all.
9. Listing your extracurricular activities means listing all the things you do when you are not at school or asleep. Some people may do clubs, sports, or hobbies. Others may have a job or take care of their younger siblings. It’s more about what you do with your free time than the number of extracurriculars on your resume.
10. It’s been shown that taking breaks and doing some physical activity or fun activity can help you relax during this process. So remember to take a break every once in a while!