Cambridge, Massachusetts – Harvard College, known for its prestigious reputation, welcomed the Class of 2028 with an acceptance rate of 3.59 percent, marking the highest rate in four years. This comes as the college navigates a new admissions landscape following the fall of affirmative action, which now prohibits the consideration of race in the admissions process.
In a recent admissions cycle, Harvard extended offers of admission to 1,245 applicants, adding to the 692 students accepted in the early admission cycle. This brings the total number of accepted students to 1,937 for the Class of 2028. Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid William R. Fitzsimmons expressed enthusiasm for the incoming class, emphasizing Harvard’s desire to see these students thrive on campus.
Despite a slight decrease in total applications received, Harvard still garnered 54,008 applicants this year. The college continues to attract a highly competitive pool of candidates, marking the fourth consecutive year with over 50,000 applications.
Notably, Harvard opted not to disclose race and ethnicity data for the incoming class, a decision that aligns with the college’s approach to evaluating applicants post-affirmative action era. The college plans to release this information once admitted students confirm their offers later in the summer.
While the cost of tuition has increased to $82,866, Harvard has maintained its financial aid threshold, ensuring that students from lower-income backgrounds can access higher education opportunities. This decision comes amidst ongoing discussions about donor backlash and the university’s commitment to providing financial support to deserving students.
With a focus on inclusivity, Harvard’s Class of 2028 reflects a diverse student body, with Pell Grant-eligible students making up 20.7 percent of the class. Additionally, the college continues its efforts to recruit applicants from rural communities and support international students, with more than 15 percent of the class hailing from 94 countries.
Harvard’s commitment to test-optional policies remains steadfast, allowing applicants to choose whether to submit standardized test scores. This approach distinguishes the college from others that have reverted to requiring testing, ensuring a more holistic evaluation of applicants’ potential.
As the Class of 2028 prepares to embark on their Harvard journey, they will have the opportunity to visit campus for the annual Visitas program in April before making their final decisions by May 1st. The college looks forward to welcoming a diverse and talented cohort of students to its prestigious academic community.