Starting an Application

For all first-year and transfer applicants, your first step will be to fill out and submit an application. You can do so through the Common Application or the Coalition Application - Powered by Scoir. For first-year applicants, the Common Application opens on August 1 and the Coalition Application opens on August 15. For transfer applicants, both applications open on September 1.

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We have no preference and each application is treated equally by the Admissions Committee.

Application Required

All applicants—both international and U.S. candidates, first-year and transfer—must complete the following application components:

• Common Application or apply Coalition, Powered by Scoir
• Harvard College Questions for the Common Application, or Coalition Application Harvard supplement
• $85 fee (or request a fee waiver)
• SAT or ACT (with or without writing)
• Optional: AP or other examination results


For first-year:

• School Report (which includes a counselor letter) and high school transcript
• Teacher Report (2)
• Midyear School Report (after your first semester grades)
• Final School Report (for admitted students only)

For transfer:

• College/Dean’s/Registrar’s report
• Official College Transcript
• College Instructor Recommendations (2)
• Official High School Transcript
• Click below to learn more about each component.

No student with a bachelor's degree or other first university degree from any other university, whether American or foreign, is eligible for admission to Harvard College. Students interested in continuing their studies beyond the bachelor's degree might wish to consider one of the 12 Harvard University graduate schools.

Timeline

We encourage you to start planning for your college applications as early as possible. For many students, this means beginning the process during the spring of Junior year in high school. Starting early will help to ease any stress that might arise later in the process.


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Admissions Deadlines

November ₁

Restrictive Early Action application deadline - learn more about Restrictive Early Action.

January 1

Regular Decision application deadline

March 1

Transfer application deadline

Application Tips

Get ^step-by-step tips on filling out your college application. From the application fee waiver to the writing supplement, we've gathered some tips to help you complete your application.