Frequently Asked Questions | Harvard (2024)

FAQs

Does Harvard accept IB? ›

Yes. Applicants may provide self-reported SAT and ACT test scores (including Subject Tests, Advanced Placement, IB, etc.).

They look at your overall high school performance which is also including 9th grade, but they don't look at 9th grade specifically. They look at your overall GPA throughout the 4 years.

It is possible, since colleges take context to account and only expect you to take the most rigorous classes available to you. For example, if honors classes are the most rigorous ones you can take, then you should take those. CollegeVine's chancing engine will give you the best estimate of your chances for Harvard.

While there is no minimum GPA requirement, admitted students tend to have exceptional academic records. However, Harvard also values intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a diverse range of talents, so a couple of B's may not completely diminish your chances if you excel in other areas of your application.

Students who take IB classes in high school have higher acceptance rates into Ivy League schools, but this doesn't necessarily mean a higher acceptance rate than AP students; it just means that IB students have a higher acceptance rate than the general application pool.

While AP and IB classes allow you to take the end-of-course exams for college credit, MIT generally does not accept the credit from these tests. The school wants all of its incoming freshmen to start at MIT on equal footing. However, MIT does grant credit for specific AP tests on which you score a five.

High schools often report GPA (grade point average) on a 4.0 scale. The top grade is an A, which equals 4.0. You calculate your overall GPA by averaging the scores of all your classes. This is a common scale used at most colleges, and many high schools also use it.

To have the best shot of getting in, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1580 SAT or a 36 ACT. You should also have a 4 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score.

There is no minimum required GPA, but competitive applicants generally have a GPA of 3.5 or above, and mostly A's in mathematics and science courses.

The answer is yes, Harvard does accept homeschooled students. They have a specific application process for homeschooled applicants. This process may seem daunting at first glance, but it is designed to give homeschoolers the same opportunity as traditional students.

What is the hardest college to get into? ›

Does Harvard Look at Middle School Grades? No, Harvard does not look at middle school grades. However, developing good study habits and work ethic during middle school can build the foundations for your high school marks and academic achievements that Harvard will look at.

It's absolutely possible to be admitted to an Ivy League school with a few B's on your transcript. Admissions aren't solely based on your grades, they consider a holistic approach and evaluate multiple factors like extracurricular activities, leadership, essays, recommendation letters, and standardized test scores.

With all of that being said, it's unfortunately very rare to get into an Ivy League school with C's during your freshman year, or at any time during your high school career. Yes, there are exceptions but it's never a good idea to hinge your hopes on the very small chance that something might happen.

For example, at Yale a whopping 96% of students graduated in the top 10% of their high school class. If you have a few B's and are still at the top of your class, you remain in a strong position! But if you slip low into the ranks of your high school class, your chances at the Ivy League may fall away too.

Harvard does not explicitly state a preference for IB or AP courses. To receive credit for IB classes, accepted students must earn an IB diploma.

Harvard University's IB score range is 39-44. While a high score can enhance your application, Harvard also looks for students who can contribute to their diverse community in unique ways.

IN THE US: The IB Diploma Programme is a well-known and accepted “college-standard” curriculum. The acceptance rate of IB students into Ivy League Universities is up to 18% higher than the total population acceptance rate.

Based on what the Oxbridge universities in the UK expect from IB applicants, an overall grade of 38+ would be well received by the Ivy Leagues. For the more selective universities, you're looking at around 40+.