How many students applied to Harvard for the latest admissions cycle?
I'm a current junior trying to get a sense of how competitive Harvard is, and I keep seeing different numbers online about how many people actually applied last year. Some articles say around 50,000 applicants, but others mention slightly different numbers. Is there an official source I can check for this?
Also, if anyone knows how this compares to previous years, that would be super helpful. I feel like the numbers just keep going up and it's stressing me out a little! Having some real stats might help me put things in perspective as I plan my own applications.
Also, if anyone knows how this compares to previous years, that would be super helpful. I feel like the numbers just keep going up and it's stressing me out a little! Having some real stats might help me put things in perspective as I plan my own applications.
6 months ago
•
172 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 6 months ago
Advisor
For the most recent admissions cycle (the Class of 2028, which applied in the 2023-2024 season), Harvard received 54,008 applications. This figure comes directly from Harvard's Office of Admissions website, which annually publishes official stats after the Regular Decision round closes.
To put things in perspective, the number of applicants has been trending upward over the past few years. For example, Harvard received 56,937 applications for the Class of 2027, which was a historic high, while the Class of 2026 saw 61,220 applications—a pandemic spike when many colleges were test-optional and students cast a wider net. Numbers have since normalized a bit but are still well above pre-pandemic totals. For instance, the Class of 2024 (students who applied in 2019-2020) had about 40,248 applicants.
So, the competition remains intense, but remember, a lot of factors contribute to these fluctuations, such as changes in test-optional policies, increased applicant outreach, and broader national trends. Harvard’s official admissions statistics page is the best place to confirm these numbers year by year if you want more detailed breakdowns (including admit rates and demographic info).
It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed by these big numbers! But ultimately, focusing on putting together the strongest application you can will serve you better than worrying about the totals. If it helps, plenty of students each year earn admission despite the odds. Find the stats, take a breath, and use the data to help strategize your college list with a balance of reach, match, and safety schools.
To put things in perspective, the number of applicants has been trending upward over the past few years. For example, Harvard received 56,937 applications for the Class of 2027, which was a historic high, while the Class of 2026 saw 61,220 applications—a pandemic spike when many colleges were test-optional and students cast a wider net. Numbers have since normalized a bit but are still well above pre-pandemic totals. For instance, the Class of 2024 (students who applied in 2019-2020) had about 40,248 applicants.
So, the competition remains intense, but remember, a lot of factors contribute to these fluctuations, such as changes in test-optional policies, increased applicant outreach, and broader national trends. Harvard’s official admissions statistics page is the best place to confirm these numbers year by year if you want more detailed breakdowns (including admit rates and demographic info).
It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed by these big numbers! But ultimately, focusing on putting together the strongest application you can will serve you better than worrying about the totals. If it helps, plenty of students each year earn admission despite the odds. Find the stats, take a breath, and use the data to help strategize your college list with a balance of reach, match, and safety schools.
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years