Applications to Harvard University decreased by 5% compared to the previous year following a turbulent period marked by the departure of its president and a legal setback at the Supreme Court.
For the upcoming freshman class in the fall, Harvard received applications from 54,008 students, reflecting a downward trend for the second consecutive year. This figure is notably lower than the 61,220 applications received two years ago, a surge that occurred when colleges eliminated standardized testing requirements due to the pandemic.
The reasons behind this decline remain unclear, despite the sustained high level of interest in attending this prestigious and affluent institution. Harvard’s acceptance rate stands at a mere 3.6%.
In contrast, Yale University experienced a record-high number of applicants at 57,465, representing a nearly 10% increase from the previous year. Similarly, Duke University and Dartmouth College observed significant spikes in applications, while the University of Pennsylvania reported a more than 9% rise to 65,000 applications, the highest among the institutions mentioned.
The aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling against Harvard and the University of North Carolina, which prohibited considering race in admissions, has put a spotlight on the admissions landscape. Additionally, allegations of antisemitism following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 have stirred controversy, particularly affecting Harvard and Penn, drawing scrutiny from alumni and legislators.
Harvard’s data released in December revealed a 17% decrease in applications for non-binding early admissions. This sharp decline raised concerns among alumni and donors regarding the potential tarnishing of the institution’s reputation.
Regular applications for the fall of 2024 were due on January 1. The following day, Harvard’s President, Claudine Gay, resigned amid accusations of plagiarism and her contentious testimony on antisemitism at a hearing in December. Similarly, Penn’s President, Liz Magill, stepped down following the same hearing, during which both provided evasive responses regarding the school’s stance on advocating for the genocide of Jews.
In light of the Supreme Court ruling, Harvard announced that it would not consider self-reported race and ethnicity information from applicants until after the admissions process concludes. However, the school disclosed other details about the incoming class of 2028, set to commence studies in the fall semester at the Cambridge, Massachusetts campus.
Out of 1,937 admitted students, the class will be comprised of approximately 53% women and 47% men, with the Mid-Atlantic region contributing the largest share at 20%. Notably, 21 military veterans received admission.
William Fitzsimmons, Harvard’s dean of admissions and financial aid, expressed satisfaction with the diverse talents and backgrounds of the Class of 2028, emphasizing the global representation within the cohort.
Students from families with an income of \(85,000 or less will receive full financial support. The total cost of attendance, including tuition, housing, food, and fees, is expected to rise by 4.3% to \)82,866 for the 2024-2025 academic year for families not receiving need-based aid. Harvard stated that nearly a quarter of students attend without any parental contribution.
The university anticipates allocating \(260 million for undergraduate aid, an increase from \)246 million in the previous year.
The deadline for accepting Harvard’s admission offer is May 1.
David Rion, director of college guidance at the Loomis Chaffee School, suggested that factors like the winter weather in Boston or the political climate may have influenced the slight decline in Harvard’s applications. Meanwhile, Michael Motto, a former assistant director of undergraduate admissions at Yale, noted that some Jewish students he advised opted to exclude Harvard from their college choices due to concerns about the campus environment.
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