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Harvard University's Acceptance Results for the Class of 2029
2024-12-17•11 minute read
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Early Action Acceptance Results
Upcoming Regular Decision Results
Key Trends & Insights
How To Stand Out as an Applicant
What Makes Harvard Unique
Key Takeaways
Harvard has admitted the first round of applicants to the Class of 2029. Last year, almost 8,000 students took advantage of an early action strategy to get into Harvard, resulting in a 8.7% Early Action acceptance rate. Keep reading to get the latest from Crimson Education COO Arkesh Patel on Harvard's admissions data and trends as the Class of 2029 begins to take shape.
Class of 2029 Acceptance Results Overview
Harvard University continues to set the standard for academic excellence, with its admissions process remaining one of the most competitive in the world. This year, Harvard has announced its Early Action results for the Class of 2029, with Regular Decision results to follow on Ivy Day, March 26, 2025. Below is an overview of this year's acceptance statistics and key trends.
Harvard offers Restrictive Early Action (REA) with a November 1st deadline. The REA restrictions prohibit students from applying to a binding early decision program at any other school, but only until Harvard sends out its REA acceptance notifications.
Early Action Acceptance Results
- Total Applications: not available
- Accepted Students: not available
- Acceptance Rate: not available
As of this year, Harvard is no longer releasing admissions statistics early. The new Harvard policy — a break from 70 years of precedent — makes it impossible to share exact EA figures.
Harvard’s Early Action Acceptance Rate Trends
Although Harvard isn’t releasing its EA results for the Class of 2029 until October/November 2025, we can make thoughtful projections based on years of Harvard data we track.
Over the past four years Harvard’s Early Action acceptance rate has hovered between 7–8%, providing a fairly reliable range for estimating this year's EA acceptance rate.
Recent Early Action Acceptance Rate Data for Harvard
| Class of 2028 | Class of 2027 | Class of 2026 | Class of 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total EA Applications | 7,921 | 9,553 | 9,406 | 10,086 |
| Number Accepted | 692 | 722 | 740 | 747 |
| % of Students Admitted Under EA | 35.7% | 37.2% | 37.9% | 38% |
| EA Acceptance Rate | 8.7% | 7.6% | 7.9% | 7.4% |
Why Harvard's Testing Policy May Impact Admissions Results
Following similar decisions by Brown, Dartmouth, and Yale, Harvard is reinstating testing requirements this year, for students applying to enroll in the fall 2025. (Cornell will also require testing, one year later, for the class of 2030).
A similar change took place at Yale this year, with a 14% drop in applicants in the EA round being reported. Is a similar impact on the number of EA applicants also in store for Harvard?
Why Apply Early Action?
- Higher Acceptance Rates: Early Action applicants typically enjoy higher acceptance rates compared to Regular Decision.
- Demonstrated Interest: Applying early shows Harvard your strong interest in joining their academic community.
What To Expect for Regular Decision Results
The Regular Decision results for Harvard’s Class of 2029 will be released on Ivy Day, which is March 26th this year. Last year, Harvard's Regular Decision acceptance rate was an ultra-competitive 2.7%. Based on current trends, we anticipate another challenging admissions cycle this year.
Key Regular Decision Figures from Last Year (Class of 2028):
- Applications Received: 46,087
- Students Accepted: 1,245
- Acceptance Rate: 2.7%
Key Trends and Insights
- Increasing Application Numbers: Applications have been rising steadily over the past five years, with a notable spike after the adoption of test-optional admissions during the pandemic.
- Holistic Admissions Approach: Harvard evaluates applicants beyond academic metrics, considering essays, extracurriculars, leadership roles, and recommendations.
- Shift Back to Testing Requirements: Several Ivies, such as Yale, Brown, Dartmouth and Harvard reinstated testing requirements for the 2024-25 application cycle. The new testing mandate could significantly impact admissions figures, beginning with Harvard's class of 2029.
Historical Acceptance Rates at Harvard
| Class Year | Total Applications | Total Accepted | Overall Rate | RD Rate | EA Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2029 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2028 | 54,008 | 1,937 | 3.6% | 2.7% | 8.7% |
| 2027 | 56,937 | 1,942 | 3.4% | 2.6% | 7.6% |
| 2026 | 61,220 | 1,954 | 3.2% | 2.3% | 7.9% |
| 2025 | 57,435 | 1,968 | 3.4% | 2.6% | 7.4% |
How To Stand Out in Harvard’s Admissions Process
- Academic Excellence: Maintain top grades in rigorous coursework.
- Strong Essays: Use your essays to showcase your unique voice and story.
- Leadership and Extracurriculars: Demonstrate meaningful engagement outside the classroom.
- Test Scores: If submitting, aim for scores within or above Harvard’s reported range.
What Makes Harvard Unique?
Harvard’s commitment to academic excellence and diversity continues to attract top-tier applicants from across the globe. With a holistic admissions process, Harvard selects students who not only excel academically but also contribute to its dynamic community.
What’s Next for Applicants?
For those admitted early, congratulations on joining Harvard’s prestigious Class of 2029! Regular Decision applicants should continue preparing strong applications, supplemental materials, and essays to maximize their chances.
Need Help with Your Application?
Crimson Education specializes in guiding students through the admissions process to top universities like Harvard. Speak to an admissions advisor today!
Key Takeaways
- Harvard's Early Action acceptance rates reflect the increasing competition for spots at top universities.
- Historical trends show steadily declining acceptance rates over the past decade.
- With Regular Decision results due in March, students should continue preparing their Harvard applications with care.
- A shifting SAT/ACT landscape may impact admissions numbers in the near term.
What Makes Crimson Different
About the Contributor
Arkesh Patel
Arkesh Patel is the Chief Operating Officer of Crimson Education, the world's largest and most successful university admissions consulting firm. Crimson Education has helped thousands of students gain admission into the Ivy League and top universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Stanford, MIT, and many others. Arkesh graduated from the University of Cambridge with a B.A in Chemistry (First Class Honors) and received his M.B.A with Distinction from Harvard Business School.
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