Harvard University: Excellence in Education and Innovation
Dive into the world of Harvard University, where tradition meets cutting-edge innovation. Explore Harvard’s distinguished programs, groundbreaking research, and vibrant campus life. Learn about the university’s commitment to fostering intellectual curiosity, leadership, and global impact. Whether you’re a prospective student, current scholar, or alumnus, discover how Harvard’s rich history and forward-thinking approach continue to shape the future of education and beyond.
Harvard Undergraduate
Harvard welcomes students from across the country and all over the world, with diverse backgrounds and far-ranging talents and interests.
Harvard University
Undergraduate Admissions
Requirements
- High School Transcripts
- SAT or ACT (Test Optional till 2025) – Average SAT Score is 1520 and Average ACT Score is 34
- English Language Tests (IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo)
- Common Application or Coalition App
- Essays
- Letter of Recommendations
- School Counsellor Report
- Portfolio (if required for your course)
- Extracurricular Activities
Harvard University
Campus Life at Harvard
- First year students live in dormitories in Harvard Yard
- After the first year, students are assigned to one of Harvard’s 12 residential houses
- Harvard has more than 70 libraries
- Each student is assigned an academic advisor and a peer advisor to help in various decision making including subject selection
- With 400 student organizations, Harvard has something to offer to every student
- Numerous Community Events
- Global Perspective
Application Deadlines
Early Application – November 1
Regular Application – January 2
What Counts for Admissions
- Leadership
- Resilience and Adaptability
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Depth over Breadth
- Impact
- Authenticity
- Global Perspective
Some Fun Facts about Harvard
- Located in Harvard Yard, the statue is often called the “Statue of Three Lies.” The plaque on the statue reads “John Harvard, Founder, 1638.” However, (1) John Harvard was not the founder; he was a benefactor, (2) Harvard was established in 1636, not 1638, and (3) the statue doesn’t actually depict John Harvard — the sculptor used a student as a model because no authentic likeness of John Harvard existed.
- Harvard’s Widener Library, one of the largest university libraries in the world, was built in memory of Harry Elkins Widener, a Harvard alumnus who perished on the Titanic in 1912. His mother, Eleanor Elkins Widener, donated the funds to construct the library on the condition that a fresh rose be placed daily in front of his portrait inside the library. This tradition is still observed today.
- Harvard is home to several secret societies and final clubs, some of which are shrouded in mystery. These include the Porcellian Club, one of the oldest and most exclusive, which has had members like Franklin D. Roosevelt. Membership and activities are often kept confidential, and entry into these clubs is highly coveted among students.
- Memorial Hall, one of Harvard’s iconic buildings, features a bell tower that has no bell. The tower was designed to hold a bell, but due to a lack of funds at the time of construction, it was never installed. Despite this, the tower remains a prominent part of Harvard’s skyline.
- One of the oldest buildings on campus, Holden Chapel, is rumored to be haunted. Built in 1744, it was used as a medical facility during the Revolutionary War, and legend has it that the spirits of soldiers still linger in the building.
- In the 1930s, a stuffed crocodile was discovered in Harvard Yard, buried under the steps of the University Hall. How it got there remains a mystery, but the reptile has since become a quirky part of Harvard lore.
- Founded in 1927, the Grolier Poetry Book Shop is the oldest poetry-only bookstore in the United States. Located in Harvard Square, it has been a favorite haunt of poets like T.S. Eliot, e.e. cummings, and Robert Frost. Despite its unassuming exterior, it’s a hidden gem for literary enthusiasts.
- Outside the Memorial Church in Harvard Yard lies a broken stone monument. This stone, known as the Harvard Tercentenary Marker, commemorates Harvard’s 300th anniversary in 1936. The stone was split during construction, but it was decided to leave it that way as a symbol of the imperfect nature of human endeavors.
- Harvard’s Museum of Natural History has a fascinating exhibit of dinosaur footprints discovered in the Connecticut River Valley. What makes these footprints unique is that they were made by a type of theropod dinosaur, which is considered an ancestor of modern birds. Harvard students often use this connection to joke that they walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs.
- Harvard’s campus has a network of underground tunnels connecting various buildings. Originally built for steam pipes, they’ve taken on a somewhat mythical status. Some students use them as secret passageways during the harsh New England winters, though access is generally restricted.
Harvard Graduate
Harvard welcomes students from across the country and all over the world, with diverse backgrounds and far-ranging talents and interests.
Graduate Admissions Requirements
- Graduate Transcripts
- GRE Score for most Graduate Programs – Average 330
- English Language Tests (IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo)
- Statement of Purpose
- Personal Statement
- 3 Letter of Recommendations
- School Counsellor Report
- Portfolio (if required for your course)
- Extracurricular Activities
Harvard University
Campus Life at Harvard
- Harvard has more than 70 libraries
- Each graduate student is typically assigned an academic advisor or a faculty mentor who guides them through their academic journey.
- Harvard provides extensive career services tailored to graduate students, including resume workshops, interview preparation, networking events, and career fairs.
- Many graduate students have the opportunity to work as teaching fellows or assistants, gaining valuable experience in teaching and academic leadership.
Application Deadlines
Masters Course – December 1
PhD Course – December 15
What Counts for Admissions
- Leadership
- Resilience and Adaptability
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Depth over Breadth
- Impact
- Authenticity
- Global Perspective
Harvard MBA
Harvard welcomes students from across the country and all over the world, with diverse backgrounds and far-ranging talents and interests.
MBA Admissions Requirements
- Graduate Transcripts
- GMAT or GRE Scores
- English Language Tests (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo)
- Essays
- Resume
- Recommendations
- Interview
- Extracurricular Activities
Harvard University
Campus Life at Harvard
- Hallmark of Harvard MBA is the Case Method of teaching.
- Upon entering the program, students are divided into sections of about 90 classmates. Each section takes all first-year core courses together, creating a tight-knit community.
- In the second year, students have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of electives that align with their career goals and interests.
- Between the first and second years, most MBA students participate in summer internships, which are critical for gaining practical experience and building professional networks.
Application Deadlines
Round 1 – September 4
Round 2 – January 6
What Counts for Admissions
- Leadership
- Resilience and Adaptability
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Depth over Breadth
- Impact
- Authenticity
- Global Perspective
Some Fun Facts about Harvard MBA
- The Harvard MBA program is the birthplace of the case method, a teaching style that immerses students in real-world business challenges. This method was first introduced in the 1920s and has since become a cornerstone of business education worldwide. Every year, HBS faculty write hundreds of new cases, and about 80% of cases used globally are written by HBS professors.
- MBA students are assigned to one of ten sections, labeled A through J. Each section develops its own unique culture, with traditions, inside jokes, and even mascots. Sections compete in various events throughout the year, including intramural sports, charity fundraisers, and the “Section Olympics.” The rivalry is friendly but intense, and section pride runs deep.
- The HBS Show is a beloved annual tradition where MBA students write, produce, and perform a musical comedy that humorously portrays life at HBS. The show often includes parodies of popular songs, poking fun at professors, the case method, and the MBA experience. It’s a highlight of the social calendar and showcases the creative talents of the student body. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aY69L7kNLU)
- Baker Library at HBS is not only a vast repository of business knowledge but also a labyrinth of hidden study spots.
- Harvard Business School has made numerous appearances in movies and TV shows. For instance, in the movie “The Social Network,” which depicts the founding of Facebook, the character of Eduardo Saverin is shown as an HBS student. The iconic architecture of the HBS campus has made it a go-to location for filmmakers wanting to depict elite business education.
- The “cold call” is a famous HBS tradition where professors randomly select a student to start the discussion on the day’s case study.
- Spangler Grille, a popular dining spot on campus, is known for its wide variety of food options. Some students challenge themselves to try every item on the menu before graduation. The “Spangler Grille Challenge” has become an informal rite of passage, and it’s not uncommon for students to bond over their culinary explorations.
- There’s a longstanding legend about a secretive group of HBS students known as “Skydeck.” According to the myth, this group supposedly meets on the roof of one of the campus buildings to discuss high-level strategies for global domination. While likely apocryphal, the Skydeck legend is part of the lore that adds to the mystique of HBS.
- The Harvard i-Lab, which supports student entrepreneurs, has been the birthplace of several successful startups founded by MBA students. Notable companies like Birchbox and Rent the Runway were conceived by HBS students with the help of resources and mentorship from the i-Lab.
- At HBS, students can earn special coins for contributions to the community, such as leadership roles, organizing events, or helping peers. These coins are highly coveted and often exchanged as tokens of appreciation or respect.