What's happening with Harvard admissions this year?
I've been keeping an eye on Harvard for the past few months, and it feels like every week there's a new article or social media post about something changing with their admissions policies. From the stuff with the Supreme Court and affirmative action to updates about legacy admissions or test optional policy, it kinda feels overwhelming trying to keep track.
Is anyone else confused by all of this? Are current applicants supposed to do anything differently, or is Harvard making any big changes for the Class of 2029? I'm wondering especially because I'm considering applying REA and want to make sure my application lines up with whatever they're looking for now. Would love to hear from people who are in the same boat or who have talked to admissions about this.
Is anyone else confused by all of this? Are current applicants supposed to do anything differently, or is Harvard making any big changes for the Class of 2029? I'm wondering especially because I'm considering applying REA and want to make sure my application lines up with whatever they're looking for now. Would love to hear from people who are in the same boat or who have talked to admissions about this.
6 months ago
•
39 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 6 months ago
Advisor
This year has definitely been eventful for Harvard admissions, and you're right that it can feel like the ground is shifting under applicants’ feet. Here’s a quick summary of what’s happening and how it might impact your application for the Class of 2030:
First, Harvard is continuing its test-optional policy for the 2025–2026 admissions cycle. This means you aren’t required to submit SAT or ACT scores, but if you feel your scores accurately reflect your academic abilities, it’s still a good idea to include them. If you’re worried your test scores might be a bit low, it’s encouraged to focus on showcasing your strengths in other areas of your application, like your grades, course rigor, essays, and recommendations.
Second, the Supreme Court decision effectively ended race-conscious (affirmative action) admissions policies at Harvard and other universities. This has pushed schools like Harvard to evaluate holistic factors even more, so demonstrating character, resilience, intellectual curiosity, and community impact has become all the more important. That said, you should still share authentically about your background, experiences, and identity in your essays. It just can’t be the only thing you rely on.
There’s also increasing scrutiny on legacy admissions, children of faculty/staff, and donor preferences. While Harvard hasn’t fully eliminated legacy admissions yet, these factors may play less of a role moving forward, due to legal and public pressure. For most applicants, the takeaway is that the field could be slightly more level, though the change isn’t radical yet.
Finally, Harvard is emphasizing how applicants can contribute to the campus beyond academics—think about your unique perspectives, talents, or service. For example, if you started a tutoring initiative at your school or have a deep passion for environmental science, explicitly connect these experiences with what you hope to bring to or do at Harvard.
In short: stay up-to-date on official Harvard admissions updates on their website, present your most authentic self in your application materials, and don’t be afraid to tell your story even in a changing landscape. If you’re applying REA, focus on putting together the strongest application you can, emphasizing both your academic strengths and the qualities or experiences that set you apart.
If you’d like, you can look at last year's successful Harvard supplements, but keep in mind that this year’s climate may reward uniqueness and a bit more self-reflection.
And yes, plenty of other applicants are feeling the same uncertainty, but admissions officers know this too. Their goal is still to admit a diverse, dynamic, and talented class!
First, Harvard is continuing its test-optional policy for the 2025–2026 admissions cycle. This means you aren’t required to submit SAT or ACT scores, but if you feel your scores accurately reflect your academic abilities, it’s still a good idea to include them. If you’re worried your test scores might be a bit low, it’s encouraged to focus on showcasing your strengths in other areas of your application, like your grades, course rigor, essays, and recommendations.
Second, the Supreme Court decision effectively ended race-conscious (affirmative action) admissions policies at Harvard and other universities. This has pushed schools like Harvard to evaluate holistic factors even more, so demonstrating character, resilience, intellectual curiosity, and community impact has become all the more important. That said, you should still share authentically about your background, experiences, and identity in your essays. It just can’t be the only thing you rely on.
There’s also increasing scrutiny on legacy admissions, children of faculty/staff, and donor preferences. While Harvard hasn’t fully eliminated legacy admissions yet, these factors may play less of a role moving forward, due to legal and public pressure. For most applicants, the takeaway is that the field could be slightly more level, though the change isn’t radical yet.
Finally, Harvard is emphasizing how applicants can contribute to the campus beyond academics—think about your unique perspectives, talents, or service. For example, if you started a tutoring initiative at your school or have a deep passion for environmental science, explicitly connect these experiences with what you hope to bring to or do at Harvard.
In short: stay up-to-date on official Harvard admissions updates on their website, present your most authentic self in your application materials, and don’t be afraid to tell your story even in a changing landscape. If you’re applying REA, focus on putting together the strongest application you can, emphasizing both your academic strengths and the qualities or experiences that set you apart.
If you’d like, you can look at last year's successful Harvard supplements, but keep in mind that this year’s climate may reward uniqueness and a bit more self-reflection.
And yes, plenty of other applicants are feeling the same uncertainty, but admissions officers know this too. Their goal is still to admit a diverse, dynamic, and talented class!
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years