Applications to the college decreased by 5% compared to the previous year, which was a significant setback for the institution following a period of internal challenges, including the departure of its president and a legal defeat.
According to the school, 54,008 individuals applied for admission to the upcoming freshman class in the fall. This marks the second consecutive year of declining undergraduate applications at Harvard, down from 61,220 two years ago when application numbers surged due to the pandemic-induced suspension of standardized testing requirements.
In contrast, a competing university reported a record-breaking 57,465 applicants, representing a 10% increase from the previous year.
Harvard revealed in December that early admissions applications had dropped by 17%. The reasons behind this decline remain unclear, raising concerns about the potential damage to Harvard’s reputation amidst allegations of antisemitism on campus. The institution also had to navigate the implications of a Supreme Court ruling prohibiting the consideration of race in admissions decisions.
Regular applications for the fall 2024 term were due on January 1. The following day, Harvard’s President, Claudine Gay, resigned amid accusations of plagiarism and widespread criticism of her testimony regarding antisemitism during a congressional hearing in December.
Harvard announced that, in compliance with the Supreme Court ruling, it would delay reviewing self-reported race and ethnicity information until after the admissions process. However, the institution shared other details about the incoming class of 2028, comprising 1,937 students accepted from a pool of applicants, representing 3.6% of the total. The admitted students consist of approximately 53% women and 47% men, with the Mid-Atlantic region contributing the highest number of students at 20%, a slight decrease from the previous year’s 22%. Additionally, the university admitted 21 military veterans.
Students from families with an income of \(85,000 or less will receive full financial assistance. The total cost of attendance, including tuition, accommodation, meals, and fees, is set to rise by 4.3% to \)82,866 for the 2024-2025 academic year for families not eligible for need-based aid. Harvard noted that nearly 25% of students attend without any parental financial contribution.
Prospective students have until May 1 to accept Harvard’s admission offer, making it the wealthiest college in the United States.