Harvard College Admits 1,968 Students to the Class of 2025 Through its Regular Action Program

For the class 2025, Harvard College has pitched admissions to 1228 aspirants through its regular-action program. The college has confirmed 1,968 of 57,435 applicants for class 2025, including those selected in the early action process. There a notable increase from 40,248 for the Class of 2024.

The college welcomed 747 of 10,086 early applicants to join its class of 2025. The college allowed 895 of 6,424 aspirants last year. The number of aspirants increased by 57 percent in last year’s comparison. However, the college admitted 148 fewer students lowering the acceptance rate to 7.4 percent.

The number of total candidates sets a record high, denoting the most competitive early admissions cycle in Harvard history.

William R. Fitzsimmons, dean of admissions and financial aid stated that these candidates have encountered and overcome unusual challenges over the past year. Their applications and personal stories share their intellectual interest, and their many positive contributions to family, school, and community.

Class of 2025 indicates the growing diversity of the College applicants

International students contribute 12.2 per cent of the class, and 8.8 per cent are the United States, dual citizens. Almost 20.4 per cent are from the Middle Atlantic States, accompanied by 19.8 per cent from the South, 16.4 per cent from New England, 17 per cent from Western and the Mountain States, 11.9 per cent from the Midwest, and 14.5 per cent from the US regions and overseas.

The Class of 2025 indicates the growing diversity of the college’s applicants. African Americans comprise 16.6 per cent of those accepted, Asian Americans 23.4 per cent, Latinx 10.4 per cent, and Native Americans and Native Hawaiians 1.3 per cent. Women hold a majority of the admitted class at 52.9 per cent, of all those accepted to the class.

Claudine Gay, Edgerley Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences stated that we chose to admit a complete class, despite the many deferrals enrolling this fall because we have faith in the promise of this astonishingly diverse and accomplished group of students. Harvard is confined to unlock the doors of opportunity to all talented students, even if it means facing the challenge of accommodating more students on campus next year.

Financial aids and other benefits to international students

The Admissions and Financial Aid office estimates that 55 percent of the admitted class is eligible for financial aid, with a standard expected family contribution of $12,000 annually. Of the accepted students, 20.7 percent are first-generation students, and 20.4 percent estimated to be eligible for federal Pell Grants for those demonstrating exceptional need.

Jake Kaufmann, Griffin Director of Financial Aid stated despite the disturbances continuing with the pandemic, Harvard has managed its need-based aid policies and remains committed to investing in our core value of excluding barriers to a Harvard education for excellent students from all economic backgrounds.

Past year, Harvard announced it would further increase its financial aid program by excluding the summer work expectation from aid awards beginning in the 2020–21 academic year, and substituting it with scholarship funds.

Amid Covid-19, Harvard eliminated the term-time work expectation for students getting financial aid in the 2020–2021 academic year. Presently, with the hope that students and community members will return to campus this fall, students will be anticipated to add $3,500 through term-time work to meet their expected personal expenses.

This year an approximated 401 accepted students, or nearly 20.4 percent, qualified for federal Pell grants. First-generation students, represent 20.7 percent of the class, contrasted with 19.4 percent in the previous year.

Exploring Harvard through virtual tours

Harvard provisionally revised its application requirements to enable students to apply for admission without requiring ACT or SAT results. Applicants were inspired to explore Harvard College through online information sessions and virtual tours.

William R. Fitzsimmons said that it is very gratifying as this is the first time that Harvard has broken 20 percent in terms of first-generation college students. Including it is the first time Harvard has broken 20 percent in terms for Pell Grant beneficiaries.

As the novel coronavirus continues to spread throughout the world, programming for Visitas, the college accepted student weekend, will once again be remote.

The students are invited to participate in this year’s Virtual Visitas for one week, and the Harvard College community will host online events at which accepted students can connect with current students and faculty. Accepted students can also connect in the new Crimson Connect online community.

Harvard has also announced it is planning for a full return to campus in the fall and to house all students at full density in University housing. The students have given time till May 3 to respond to their offer of admission.