Harvard University
Harvard University, a private Ivy League research institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was founded on October 28, 1636. Named after its first benefactor, Puritan clergyman John Harvard, it holds the distinction of being the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Renowned for its influence, wealth, and academic excellence, Harvard is consistently regarded as one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
By the 19th century, Harvard had become the leading academic and cultural institution among Boston’s elite. After the American Civil War, President Charles William Eliot’s tenure (1869–1909) saw the expansion of professional schools, transforming Harvard into a modern research university. In 1900, the university co-founded the Association of American Universities. Under James B. Conant’s leadership, Harvard navigated the Great Depression and World War II while also broadening admissions in the postwar era.
Harvard is composed of ten academic faculties, along with the Harvard Radcliffe Institute. The Faculty of Arts and Sciences provides a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs, while other faculties focus on professional and graduate degrees. The university operates across three campuses: the main 209-acre campus in Cambridge centered around Harvard Yard, an adjacent campus in Boston’s Allston neighborhood, and the medical campus in the Longwood Medical Area.
- Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Alumni Nickname: Crimson
- Mascot: John Harvard, the Pilgrim
2025 Rankings
by U.S. News & World Report
by QS World University Rankings
by Times Higher Education
Undergraduate Admissions Process Summary
Application Deadlines
Early Decision: November 1
Regular Decision: January 1
Application Portal
Common Application or Coalition Application
Standardized Tests
SAT or ACT
Recommendation Letters
Teacher Recommendations: 2 Letters
On Campus Residence for Freshmen
Required
International Students
English Proficiency
TOEFL: minimum score 100
IELTS: minimum score 7.5
Duolingo: minimum score 125
Interview
Optional
At the discretion of the Admissions Committee
University Specific Requests
None
Application Fee
$85
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Economics 15%
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Computer Science 10%
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Government/Political Science 12%
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Biology (Molecular & Cellular Biology, Neuroscience) 10%
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Psychology 7%
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Social Studies 5%
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Applied Mathematics 5%
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History 5%
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Physics 5%
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English 5%
Popular
Majors
Acceptance Rate
Total Students
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African American: 7%
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Asian: 15%
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Hispanic: 10%
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International (Non-Citizen): 27%
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Multiracial: 5%
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Native American: 1%
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Pacific Islander: 1%
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Unknown: 0%
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White: 36%
Campus
Harvard University’s campus is located in Cambridge just across the Charles River from Boston, and it’s one of the most iconic college campuses in the world. The main campus spans 209 acres and is centered around the historic Harvard Yard, which serves as the heart of the university. The Yard, filled with beautiful, centuries-old buildings, is a gathering place for students and visitors, embodying the prestigious legacy and traditions of Harvard. With its grand architectural styles, including colonial, Georgian, and modern designs, the campus offers a stunning mix of the old and the new.
In addition to the main campus, Harvard has several other campuses, including one across the Charles River in Allston, which is dedicated to the university’s research and business ventures. The medical campus is located in Boston’s Longwood Medical Area, providing space for the Harvard Medical School and other health-related programs.
The campus also has various iconic landmarks, including the John Harvard Statue, Widener Library, and Memorial Hall.
Cost of Attendance
At Harvard, 20.4% of undergraduates qualified for the Pell Grant
Notable Affiliations
Harvard University boasts a long list of notable alumni who have made significant contributions to various fields such as politics, business, sports, entertainment, and international relations. In politics, Harvard has produced numerous U.S. Presidents, including John F. Kennedy, the 35th President, and Barack Obama, the 44th President. Other prominent political figures include former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and U.S. Senators such as Elizabeth Warren and John Kerry. Harvard alumni have also had an impact internationally, with foreign leaders such as former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair, former South African President Nelson Mandela, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau all being graduates.
In business, Harvard’s alumni network is equally impressive. Some of the most influential business figures in the world are Harvard graduates, including Warren Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, and Michael Bloomberg, the founder of Bloomberg LP and former Mayor of New York City. The tech industry also features several prominent Harvard alumni such as Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates, who dropped out of Harvard to start Microsoft.
Harvard is also known for producing world-class athletes. The university’s athletic alumni include former NBA star Jeremy Lin, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, and former tennis champion James Blake. In entertainment, Harvard has produced a number of well-known celebrities, including actors Matt Damon, Natalie Portman, and John Lithgow. Other notable alumni in the entertainment industry include writer and producer Norman Lear and filmmaker Ken Burns.
Internationally, Harvard alumni have been at the forefront of global advancements. The university’s alumni network extends to various countries, with notable figures such as former Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh, President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos, and many ambassadors and diplomats serving across the globe.
Harvard is credited with popularizing the “teaching assistant” (TA) role. The idea of having graduate students assist professors in teaching undergraduates was pioneered at Harvard in the late 1800s, and today, TAs are a common feature of universities around the world.
Harvard Yard, the central part of the campus, holds centuries-old buildings and artifacts that have shaped American history. It is a “time capsule” for anyone who visits, with notable historical buildings like Massachusetts Hall (built in 1720) and John Harvard’s statue, where students traditionally rub the toe for luck. The Yard itself has seen debates, protests, and events that have helped shape the university and nation.
Harvard is home to several “final clubs”—exclusive, prestigious student societies with historical roots. These clubs, such as the Porcellian Club and Fly Club, are known for their traditions and secrecy, and they often serve as networking hubs for future political, business, and cultural leaders. They’re not officially part of the university but remain a key part of campus culture.
The word “Veritas” (meaning “truth”) is Harvard’s official motto, and it’s often seen emblazoned on banners and the university’s seal. But its origins are slightly mysterious—it was used as early as the 1640s by Harvard’s founder John Harvard and was officially adopted in 1692. Its emphasis on the pursuit of truth mirrors the university’s academic philosophy and is integral to its legacy.
In the 19th century, Harvard actually had a “prison college”called the Harvard Prison—an experimental program designed to reform inmates through higher education. The initiative, started in the 1840s, allowed prisoners to attend classes and study alongside students. Though the program didn’t last long, it is a unique, lesser-known chapter in Harvard’s educational history.
Harvard has a notable literary connection to “The Power of Sympathy,” considered the first American novel, written by William Hill Brown, a Harvard graduate. The novel, which was published in 1789, is about the tragic consequences of a romantic affair and is considered an early example of American literature and its exploration of societal norms.