Understanding Harvard Early Action 2025 and Regular Admissions Process

Missed the opportunity to apply for Harvard's Early Action 2025? Understanding the admissions process for the next academic year is crucial for your application success. This guide provides a detailedtimeline for Harvard's 2025 admissions, including both Early Action and Regular Decision options.

Timeline for Harvard Admissions

Spring of the Year You Apply

In the spring before your application year, you will:

Begin taking either the ACT or SAT with or without the writing portion. SAT Subject Tests are recommended, though optional for the class of 2025. Some financial hardship exceptions may apply.

Fall of the Year You Apply

During the fall, which is the primary application period, you will:

Submit your application via the Common Application, the Universal Application, or the Coalition Application to open your admissions file, track your documentation, and schedule an interview. Send in the $75 application fee or apply for a fee waiver. Submit application supplements at a later date if necessary.

October 31

Restrictive Early Action applicants: Please provide your test scores by the end of October if you are submitting them. Late test scores can be submitted through the November series but should reach Harvard in time for consideration.

Early November

Restrictive Early Action applicants: This is the last acceptable testing date for submission of your standardized test scores. Regular Decision applicants: We recommend that you complete your standardized test scores from the November series or earlier.

November 1

All application materials for Restrictive Early Action applicants must be submitted by this date. Early Action applicants have the flexibility to apply to public colleges/universities or foreign universities alongside Harvard but cannot apply to other Early Action programs from private universities. Submit your financial aid application to receive financial aid information in mid-December as decisions are released.

Mid-December

Decisions for Restrictive Early Action applicants will be released during this period. This is also the last acceptable testing date for Regular Decision consideration.

January 1

This is the final deadline for all Regular Decision application materials. All submissions must be received by this date to be considered for Regular Decision.

February 1

Notify the Admissions Office if you have not received your application confirmation email. Submit a financial aid application if you have not done so to ensure you receive financial aid information in late March.

Mid-February

This is the last acceptable ACT testing date for Regular Decision candidates. Submit your Midyear School Report forms with your most recent grades.

Mid-March

First-year admission decisions will be released, reaching admitted students by mid-March.

Late March

Financial aid information will be sent to those admitted around late March as final decisions are released.

May 1

This is the deadline for admitted students to reply. No deposit is required at this stage.

Note: It is crucial to adhere to these dates to ensure your application is considered. Inadequate submission of materials after these deadlines may result in non-consideration.

FAQs

Can I apply for both Early Action and Regular Decision at Harvard?

Yes, you can apply for both Early Action and Regular Decision. However, if you have already committed to another Early Action program, you will not be able to reapply to other private universities' Early Action programs.

Is there any impact from testing delays?

Test delays or missing scores may impact your application. For Early Action, you need to submit your test scores by the end of October if you plan to submit them. Regular Decision applicants can include late test scores, but they should be submitted by the November series and sent to Harvard.

What if I missed the early deadlines?

For those who missed the early deadlines, applying to Regular Decision is still an option. Regular Decision applicants have until January 1 to submit their complete application materials. However, the application process becomes more competitive later in the year.

Understanding the Harvard admissions process can significantly impact your chances of acceptance. Ensure you meet all deadlines and have all your documents in order to increase your chances of admission.