If you’re wondering what GPA is needed to get into Harvard, you’re not alone. Attending Harvard University is a dream shared by thousands of students in the U.S. and across the world. As one of the most elite universities, Harvard’s admissions process is notoriously competitive and difficult. While it is hard to get admitted to this famous Ivy League school, it is possible with some hard and dedicated work. If you want to go to college at Harvard, you must start preparing early while recognizing that the chances of admission are small. Graduates of Harvard are recognized as being among the top scholars and thinkers in the world, and many have gone on to achieve greatness in both their lives and the world at large.
What GPA do I need to get into Harvard?
To be considered for admission to Harvard, you must earn top grades in high school. According to College Data, 76% of the admitted freshmen in the class of 2026 had a GPA of 4.0 or above, and 18% had GPAs from 3.78 to 3.99. Among those who were admitted, 94% were in the top 10% of their high school classes. This demonstrates that you need to strive to graduate in the top 5% of your class. It is even better if you can graduate at the top of your class. Throughout high school, check your class rank and be prepared to put in the hard work it takes to earn top marks.
The quality of the classes that you take is also important. If you earn straight As in easy classes in high school, that will not impress the admissions officers at Harvard. They will want to see that you have earned As in difficult courses.
What is the acceptance rate at Harvard?
Harvard is extremely selective. For the class of 2026, Harvard received 61,221 applications and offered admission to 1,984. This means that for the class of 2023, the admissions rate was just 3.2%, making Harvard one of the most selective universities in the U.S. For every 100 people who apply, just over 3 are admitted. Harvard boasts a graduation rate that averages 98%.
The highly selective nature of the school means that you will need to stand out with your grades and scores to make it past the first round. You will then need to impress the admissions officers with the remainder of your application, your letters of recommendation, your essay, your extracurriculars, athletics, and interview.
What classes should I take in high school to get into Harvard?
Harvard states that there isn’t a single path of academics that all applicants are expected to follow in high school. However, the school says that the strongest applicants take the most difficult courses that their schools have to offer. Harvard recommends that students should complete the following secondary coursework:
- Four years of English with a strong writing component
- Four years of mathematics
- Four years of science, including biology, chemistry, physics, and an advanced course
- Three years of history, including European and U.S. history
- Four years of the same foreign language
If your school does not offer some of the subjects on this list, there is no reason to be concerned. Harvard wants you to take the most challenging courses that are available at your school but does not count off if your school does not offer additional courses. For example, if your school only offers two years of French, and you take French I and II, that should suffice. Similarly, if your high school does not offer an advanced course in biology, chemistry, or physics, take what you can and do your best. You can also take supplemental courses at your local community college or university to make up for what your school might lack.
If your school offers the advanced placement or AP courses, you should take them instead of opting for the regular versions. Taking AP biology, getting an A, and then taking the AP biology test and scoring a five will look much better than taking a regular biology class and getting an A. While Harvard will not grant college credit for your AP tests, the school does want to see that you have taken advantage of all of the opportunities that are available to you, including AP courses and tests.
Some schools offer international baccalaureate classes. Like AP classes, these courses are more challenging than typical high school classes. Take IB courses if they are offered at your school, and take the IB exams. Like the AP tests, Harvard will not grant college credit for your IB exams, but taking them and scoring highly can strengthen your application.
Finally, some high schools do not offer many AP or IB classes or any at all. If your high school does not offer these types of classes, take the most difficult curriculum that is offered at your school. Some schools partner with local colleges or universities to offer dual credit or dual enrollment courses. If this option is available to you, take as many dual credit or dual enrollment classes as you can while you are in high school. This can show your preparedness for college and your self-motivation. When you do take difficult classes at your high school or through your local college, remember the importance of your grades. Harvard expects you to take difficult courses and to do well in them.
If you start taking a class in high school and notice that you are struggling with it, hire a tutor as soon as possible to help you. Often, a tutor can help you to understand concepts that are difficult for you so that you can achieve a great grade in hard classes. A tutor might also help to unlock subjects for you in such a way that you might find that you enjoy a subject that you previously avoided.
What SAT or ACT scores do I need to get into Harvard?
Because of the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students and families, Harvard has announced that it will continue being test-optional for the upcoming classes, including the classes of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030. However, if you submit test scores, they will be considered in the review of your application. If you are wondering how to get into Harvard, achieving top scores on the SAT or ACT might provide your application with an edge while it is being considered. However, the school says that it won’t be counted against you if you choose not to submit scores.
According to the College Board, Harvard did not provide information about the SAT scores of admitted freshmen in the 2026 class. However, for the Harvard class of 2025, the average SAT score was 1494. SAT scores varied based on socioeconomic background, athlete status, and legacy status. For non-athletes, the average SAT score was 1501 vs. 1397 for athletes. Admitted legacy students had average SAT scores of 1523 vs. 1491 for admitted students without legacies. Finally, students from households with annual incomes of $40,000 or less had average SAT scores of 1443 vs. 1520 for admitted students with household incomes of $500,000 or more.
For the 2026 class, Harvard does report that freshmen who reported ACT scores received the following at the 25th and 75th percentiles:
- ACT 25th percentile score – 34
- ACT 75th percentile score – 36
Since the maximum score on the ACT is 36, this demonstrates that you must have a phenomenal score to make your application more competitive.
While the school did not report the SAT scores for its current freshman class, you can assume that they were similarly as high as the corresponding ACT scores.
You should also take some time to figure out which test to take. It is a good idea for you to take a pretest of both the ACT and the SAT to see on which test you score better. Some students do better on one test over the other while others do not show much difference between the two tests. If you take practice tests in both and see that you score much better on one, concentrate on preparing for that test as part of your preparations for gaining admission to Harvard.
Like other aspects of applying to Harvard, starting early with your test preparation is a good idea. You can and should take the PSAT in your sophomore year. This test can give you an idea of how the SAT works. Harvard also uses PSAT scores to identify promising students from across the U.S. to invite to apply. When you take the PSAT in your junior year, you will be in the running to be named as a National Merit scholar. Being named as a National Merit scholar also provides you with a scholarship that you can use to defray the costs of higher education at Harvard.
In addition to taking the ACT or SAT, you should also plan to take SAT subject tests. Harvard does not require that you take SAT subject tests, but it strongly recommends that applicants take at least two of them. Anytime that you see a recommendation, you should follow it. Take SAT subject tests in the areas in which you are most strongly interested. For example, if you think that you might want to pursue a degree in mathematics, take the SAT Math Level 1 or Level 2 test. If you are interested in physics, take a subject test in that area. Take subject tests for the courses that are your strongest to make your application stronger.
Is Harvard test-optional?
Harvard announced that it has extended its decision to make admissions test-optional through the Class of 2030. The school stated that it believed that the pandemic has had a substantial impact on students and families as the reason for continuing its test-optional policy for the next few years.
According to Harvard, applicants who choose not to submit ACT or SAT scores will not be disadvantaged. However, if you opt to include scores, they will be considered.
Harvard also does not require subject tests, which are no longer offered by the College Board. However, if you have taken subject tests in the past five years, you can submit them.
Achieving high SAT or ACT scores could help to provide Harvard with more information about your academic abilities. If you have achieved a top score on one of these exams, you should consider submitting it with your application. However, if your score is not at the top of the range for the exam you took, it might be better to choose not to submit it and instead highlight your achievements in other areas.
Get into Harvard with Ivy League Essay
Getting admitted to Harvard is undoubtedly a challenging task, but it is not impossible. The university seeks exceptional students who have demonstrated growth, possess a range of interests, exhibit strong character, and can make a positive impact on the campus community. Starting early with rigorous academics, taking challenging courses, achieving high grades, participating in meaningful extracurricular activities, and obtaining outstanding test scores will all contribute to a strong application. In addition, crafting a compelling personal essay and securing glowing letters of recommendation will further enhance your chances of acceptance.
For more help with your college admissions essays and personalized guidance on how to get into Harvard, contact me today for a free consultation at IvyCollegeEssay.com. As a former Harvard admissions interviewer and Harvard grad, I can provide valuable insights and assistance to help you get into the school of your dreams. Don’t miss this opportunity to boost your chances of admission to Harvard and other top universities. Schedule your free consultation now!
