What SAT Score Do I Need To Get Into Harvard?

With centuries of history and an acceptance rate of around 5%, gaining admission to Harvard is a monumental achievement. This Ivy League institution sets the standard for academic excellence across disciplines like business, law, medicine, education, engineering, and arts & sciences.

A degree from Harvard opens doors to leadership roles across industries. Alumni include 8 US presidents, over 150 Nobel laureates, and CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. But behind these famous figures are thousands of changemakers positively impacting their communities.

So what does it take to join this Crimson network? Here's an overview of the academic credentials needed:

Test Scores

SAT: 1500+

The middle 50% SAT range for admitted students is 1470-1570. Scoring over 1500 puts you in Harvard's top range, while anything lower makes admission quite difficult. A perfect SAT score of 1600 gives your application a boost and gives you an actual chance of admissions.

Academics:

High School GPA: 3.8+ unweighted

Harvard is extremely selective when it comes to GPA, so straight A's in the most rigorous courses at your high school is essential. Taking honors, AP, and college courses shows you can thrive in advanced material.

Coursework: 8+ APs and advanced courses

Take the most challenging courses in all disciplines - aim for 10+ APs in subjects like calculus, physics, computer science, history, English, economics, and foreign languages. Earn top grades and scores of 5 on AP exams.

Extracurriculars:

Leadership in diverse activities

Harvard wants students who will impact their communities on campus and beyond. Demonstrate commitment through substantive leadership in clubs, sports teams, or other student organizations. Taking on leadership roles like president, captain, or chair shows you can manage teams and initiatives.

Sustained involvement

One-off activities or short stints will not catch Harvard's eye. Show multi-year dedication to your passions through activities. Successful students typically spent at least 3 years in their core activities like robotics club, varsity sports, music ensemble, or STEM competitions, and at least 1-2 years of them should be at the leadership level (president, co-chair, founding member, GM, etc.).

Research & academic projects

Truly distinguish yourself by conducting advanced research or projects in your intellectual passions. From publishing in an academic journal to presenting at conferences, high-level achievements set you apart. Long-term work in a professor's lab, a published thesis, self-directed experiments, or patent-pending inventions demonstrate serious commitment.

Entrepreneurial ventures

Starting a business or non-profit aligned with your values can make your application stand out. Detail your real-world impact, challenges overcome, and lessons learned. Your venture doesn't need to be a multi-million dollar business or save thousands of lives, but it should be substantial enough to make it to onto small news outlets and win awards at the city or state level.

Virtual involvement

With remote options on the rise, online leadership and virtual extracurricular engagement is valued. Demonstrate initiative through blogs, apps, web projects, or other digital work with an audience.

The academic foundation above makes you competitive, but Harvard also evaluates the whole person - creativity, character, and contribution to others. To gain admission to this highly selective institution, go above and beyond mere grades and scores to pursue authentic accomplishments reflecting your passions.