Harvard University

W. E. B. Dubois | T. S. Eliot | John F. Kennedy | Theodore Roosevelt | Helen Keller

These influential Americans, recognizable by name alone, share one common trait: they're all Harvard graduates.

Even Harvard dropouts, such as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, have famously impacted the world.

For parents of international students, Harvard symbolizes a perennial dream—the very essence of prestigious universities.

Standing out and preserving individuality among exceptional peers isn't easy, but Harvard students are certainly capable.

For centuries, Harvard has required no additional adjectives; its name itself is synonymous with excellence. As America’s oldest university, though it hasn't topped the U.S. News and World Report rankings in recent years, it still sets the standard for quality and reputation in higher education.

Renowned Programs Economics Government History East Asian Studies African and African American Studies Biological Sciences Applied Mathematics Computer Science

Excellence in Every Aspect

From physical facilities to faculty and students, Harvard adheres to the highest standards. Harvard grants tenure only to professors already acclaimed in their fields—true "stars". The label "Harvard professor" often defines leading figures across academia, media, and politics

William G. Kaelin Jr., a Harvard professor and 2019 Nobel Prize in Medicine recipient

Yet, this strength occasionally presents drawbacks. Critics note professors sometimes pay less attention to undergraduate students. Professors teach at least one undergraduate course, but compared to smaller undergraduate-focused institutions, interactions with professors require more proactive effort from students—a stark contrast to institutions like Princeton.

"You can create opportunities to interact with professors, but students must proactively seek them out."

Harvard Biology Student

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Since pioneering curriculum reform in the 1970s, Harvard's Core Curriculum requires courses across four main areas (1. Aesthetics & Culture, 2. Ethics & Civics, 3. History, Society & Individuals, 4. Science & Technology). Additionally, students must complete classes in quantitative reasoning and choose departmental courses within Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences and the School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Popular majors at Harvard—such as Economics, Information Science, Computer Science, Psychology, History, and Biology—have large enrollments. Additionally, East Asian Studies, especially popular among Korean students, ranks top nationally.

Michael Sandel’s renowned course on "Justice"

Freshmen are encouraged to explore diverse fields. While over 73% of classes have fewer than 20 students, many are taught by graduate students or teaching fellows rather than professors, a point of contention for some undergraduates. However, studying under less prominent instructors can facilitate more comfortable discussions and easier access for questions.

Harvard Students

Harvard’s strengths include outstanding faculty and extensive resources, offering limitless opportunities to motivated students.

Yet, Harvard students themselves are frequently cited as the university's greatest asset. With numerous exceptional peers, students constantly learn from one another.

Harvard University Library

There's a common saying among Harvard students: "The hardest thing about Harvard is getting in," meaning that admission is tougher than the coursework itself. Courses rarely become overwhelmingly difficult, and failing at Harvard is unusual. Though competition can feel less intense compared to other rigorous research universities, some students report feeling overshadowed by their talented peers.

A typical Harvard student is challenging to define precisely, but energy and ambition are universally noted characteristics. Students range widely, from eloquent political aspirants to avant-garde artists. ​

Campus Life

Most Harvard undergraduates live on campus. All freshmen reside together in Harvard Yard and dine at Annenberg Hall. From personal experience at Northwestern, having freshmen live together promotes openness and diverse friendships.

After freshman year, students move to one of twelve residential houses, each accommodating 300-500 students and providing academic support through tutors and professors. Housing at Harvard receives widespread positive feedback.

Cabot House

"I think Harvard’s housing is one of its biggest strengths."

a Harvard student

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If Princeton has "Eating Clubs," Harvard features "Final Clubs," exclusive upscale social clubs portrayed famously in the film "The Social Network." Only a select few students join these clubs, which own private buildings and greatly influence campus social life. However, Harvard is striving to limit these clubs’ influence due to concerns about their impact on campus diversity.

A party hosted by The Fly, one of Final Clubs

​ Students often deeply invest in clubs aligned with their interests, ranging from the famous humor magazine Harvard Lampoon to over 80 theater productions. Harvard strongly supports even niche interests.

"Harvard Square is the best college town."

A Harvard student

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하버드 스퀘어

Cambridge, home to Harvard, epitomizes the ideal American college-town experience. Harvard Square offers tourism and shopping alongside unique bookstores, theaters, restaurants, and bars catering specifically to students. ​

Acceptance Rate: 4.7%

Top 10% of high school class: 95% Top 25% of high school class: 99%

SAT Math Scores (25th Percentile) - 740 SAT Math Scores (75th Percentile) - 800 SAT English Scores (25th Percentile) - 720 SAT English Scores (75th Percentile) - 780