Thinking about applying to Harvard? Understanding the acceptance rates can help you decide when to apply and how competitive each round is. Here’s a simple breakdown of the latest numbers and what they mean for you.

Harvard’s Most Recent Acceptance Rates

The most recent published admissions data is for the Class of 2028 (students starting in fall 2024).

Restrictive Early Action (EA):

• Applicants: 7,921
• Admitted: 692
• Acceptance Rate: 8.74%

Regular Decision (RD):

• Applicants: 46,087
• Admitted: 1,245
• Acceptance Rate: 2.7%

Overall Combined (EA + RD):

• Total Applicants: 54,008
• Total Admitted: 1,937
• Overall Acceptance Rate: 3.59%

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Specific Data for the Class of 2028

Here’s a closer look at the full class profile Harvard released for the Class of 2028:

Total Students

• Applicants: 54,008
• Admitted: 1,970
• Enrolling: 1,647
• Admitted from the waiting list: 41

Geographical Breakdown

• New England: 17%
• Middle Atlantic: 20%
• South: 16%
• Midwest: 9%
• Central: 2%
• Mountain: 2%
• Pacific: 15%
• Territories: <1%
• International: 18%

Intended Field of Study

• Humanities: 12%
• Social Sciences: 37%
• Natural Sciences: 26%
• Engineering: 23%
• Special Concentration: 1%
• Undecided: 2%

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Key Takeaways

• Applying Restrictive Early Action (REA) gives a noticeable boost. The acceptance rate for EA was 8.74%, compared to just 2.7% in Regular Decision — about three times better odds.
• Don't forget that the EA pool is different. Many Early Action applicants tend to be highly qualified, legacy applicants, or recruited athletes. So while the acceptance rate is higher, this group isn’t exactly the same as the Regular Decision pool, making a direct comparison tricky.
• If Harvard is your first choice, applying REA makes sense. Not only are the numbers in your favor, but applying early also clearly signals your interest. Harvard will know you’re serious about attending if admitted.
• Regular Decision remains incredibly competitive. Only about 1 in 37 Regular Decision applicants are admitted.

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Where is the Class of 2029 Data?

For nearly 70 years, Harvard has shared admissions statistics on decision days for both Early Action and Regular Decision. But for the Class of 2029 (students starting in fall 2025), Harvard decided to withhold those numbers.

They announced that they’ll only release admissions data when they’re required to submit it to the U.S. Department of Education in the fall of 2025. Until then, no official acceptance rates or applicant numbers have been made public for this year’s admissions cycle.

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Final Thought

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If Harvard is at the top of your list and you’re ready by November 1, applying REA is worth considering. The numbers show a clear advantage, and it leaves no doubt about your interest. Just keep in mind how selective both rounds are — and focus on building the strongest, most authentic application you can.

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Need Help or Advice?

Looking for additional guidance or application review support? Feel free to reach out. We’re here to support you through every step of the process!

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