Harvard University Admission Requirements for Indian Students

From application fees to marks sheets, from TOEFL to interviews, find out all about the Harvard University admission requirements for Indian students here!

harvard university law school library iconic buildings cambridge Harvard University admission requirements for Indian students

Hello everyone! Application process is a stressful time, there’s so much to remember. Each application has different requirements, different deadlines, and exhaustive processes. I remember the time I was applying for my masters, and along with a full-time (very demanding job), the admission process was super tiring and me, emotionally and physically!

That’s why I have created a basic list of Harvard University admission requirements for Indian students, so you don’t miss out on anything.

Harvard University Admission Requirements for Indian Students

There are no extra Harvard University admission requirements for Indian students, other than the standardized English language test, which is required of all international applicants. Submit the online application form with required fee. Other than that, submit your GRE/SAT/GMAT score, TOEFL score, college/school marksheets, recommendation letters and personal statement. Some Harvard schools also have additional requirements such as resume, portfolio or interview.

So let’s go over the list of Harvard University admission requirements one by one.

1. Digital Application

Most universities have now made digital applications mandatory. Harvard University has had digital applications for many years now. The digital application is the first thing you should submit, because once they formally receive your duly filled in application form, only then are your other application materials like transcripts and test scores accepted by the university’s admissions office.

harvard-university-what kind of students get into

Of course, be sure to check the deadline of the digital application. The sooner you submit it, the better it is, as admissions offices sometimes keep pre-shortlisting students based on these. So submitting your digital application before deadline/asap is one of the first Harvard University admission requirements for Indian students.  application requirements for Harvard College

2. Application Fee

The digital application has to be submitted with the application fee, which may be $90 or so depending on the College or graduate school you’re applying to. You can check the application fee in your school’s website. Some schools may even waive the application fee if requested by students who have financial difficulty paying it.

3. Standardized Test Scores

There are many different types of standardized admission tests. And schools almost always require you to digitally transmit the scores of the required test(s). Here are some examples of tests required by different schools:

1. Harvard College requires standardized test scores from either the SAT or ACT (with or without writing). They even recommend submitting two SAT subject tests, neither of which may be the SAT II English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT).

2. Harvard Law School (HLS) requires the score of LSAT to be submitted.

3. Harvard Business School (HBS) and Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) accept Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) test scores.

4. Many Harvard graduate schools such as Ed School and Design school accept GRE scores.

So check your school’s website to see which score they accept. Please note that the GRE/GMAT/LSAT/SAT scores need to be sent to the university directly from the testing service, otherwise they’re not reviewed. So be sure to take your school’s institution code with you before you appear for the test.

Average GRE Scores for Harvard Graduate Schools

Additionally, make sure to take an early test date so as to ensure the testing service sends your scores to your school before the deadline. Schools only accept recent test scores, mostly a GRE/LSAT needs to have been taken within 5 years of the deadline. So check your school’s website to see if your old score is still vaild or not (they give exact dates).

If you’ve taken more than one GRE test, some schools check your scores from both tests to compare your performance over time. So keep that in mind before you make up your mind to take the test again.

Also check out: What GRE Score is Required for Harvard University?

4. English Language Test – TOEFL

All international students, including Indians are required to take the standardized English language tests, especially if their native language is English. In India, even if you’re raised as bilingual or went to English-medium school or college, you still need to submit your TOEFL score. Some Harvard schools also require a minimum TOEFL score from all applicants. So make sure to check that while preparing to take the test.

5. Transcripts

Harvard University admission requirements for Indian students include transcripts, marksheets or grade reports. You’ll need to submit the official transcripts from any previous schools, colleges or universities you have received a degree or credit.

To apply to Harvard College, you need to submit Secondary School Report (including transcripts) and Mid-Year School Report for College. For applying to grad schools, submit a hard copy of your college degree transcripts/attested marksheets, reflecting all the subjects you took, and your marks/grades for each semester/exam. They need to be attested by your college registrar so as to appear official/ authentic.

If your college does not issue marksheets or transcripts, submit an official letter from them listing courses and examinations taken, grades, and degrees and dates of degrees received.

If you were homeschooled, you may be required to create your own marksheets. Or get a letter from your parents/tutors about the exams taken. Or your scores from any standardized tests/exams you’ve taken.

You may also like: Is Harvard Only for Straight-A Students? Harvard vs. Grades

6. Letter of Intent/ Statement of Purpose

This is one of the most important parts of Harvard University admission requirements for Indian students. Or any student for that matter. Your LoI/SoP should be 1-2 pages long and originally describe your experience, ambition, and why you’re applying to the particular program. It should basically identify why you’re the perfect candidate to be admitted, and how it will help you with your long-term passion or goal.

is harvard only for straight a students - low gpa

There can be so many tips I can give with writing a winning essay, so I’ll save those tips for another article. But do more research on your Harvard school’s admission website to see what exactly they expect from this letter. Ultimately, this letter sets you apart from other applicants, and helps to seal the deal!

Also read: Extracurricular Activities for Harvard Applications: Make It Count!

7. Letters of Recommendation

Every Harvard school requires applicants to submit 2-3 letters of recommendation, depending on the school you’re applying to. So check your school’s admission page to see how many are required. They may even specify who these letters should ideally be from. If you have work experience, it’s typically a good idea to submit at least one letter from your employer. If you’re fresh out of college or school, a letter or two from your college dean or senior professor is a good idea. For example, Harvard College application requires two teacher evaluations.

How to Get Great Harvard Recommendation Letters

Get letters from professors or employer of authority, but those who really know about your work, so that they can give a glowing letter of recommendation. Some schools even call up and ask your recommender to verify the letter or ask further questions about you.

8. Resume

Not all Harvard grad schools require applicants to submit a resume. For example, Harvard Business School requires applicants to submit a business resume. Mostly, graduate schools that prefer work experience may require resumes. It may even be optional, so check on your school’s website admission requirements to cross-check.

9. Portfolio

Certain schools like Harvard Graduate School of Design require applicants of certain degree programs to submit a design portfolio. For these schools, portfolio is one of the most important Harvard University admission requirements. The portfolio requires you to visually represent your scholarly, academic and/or professional work. Here are the requirements specified on the GSD website for portfolio:

Pages: 30 max (Cover pages or table of contents don’t count)
File Size: 40MB max
Page Layout: 12” x 18” or A3, two-page spreads should be combined into one page (recommended).
Color Format: RGB (recommended).
Resolution: 150 dpi (recommended).

Be sure to check the updated requirements at the time of your application before you put together the portfolio. It needs to be submitted digitally, and may even be accompanied with a video portfolio.

10. Interview

Harvard College and some grad schools allow applicant interviews. Not all Harvard schools recommend interviews as a part of the admission process. So this is something that you want to check on the school’s admission page. Sometimes, the school you applied to may also inform applicants via telephone that an interview is necessary to finally judge their application. But that didn’t happen in my case.

How to Ensure Harvard Recommendation Letters are Submitted on Time

For example, Harvard Business School (HBS) invites applicants for 30-minute interviews. If they are invited, they have to participate, either in person or on Skype.

So I hope I was able to clarify all Harvard University admission requirements for Indian students. The admission process for Harvard is pretty standard compared to other universities in the US. So if you’re applying to other unis, you won’t find Harvard application specifically a hassle.

If you have any more questions regarding the admission process of your particular school, comment below. I’ll try to answer that here or write a separate post.

All the best!

22 thoughts on “Harvard University Admission Requirements for Indian Students”

  1. good afternoon ,
    I,was curious to know whether do you guys have any scholarship for an LLLM degree.
    will wait to hear from you
    Thankyou 🙂

    Reply
  2. Hii I’m Barna.. I’m currently undergraduate student pursuing political science as my core subject..I’m planning to pursue my PhD(political science) in harvard after my MA from India..it will be helpful for me if you guide me..

    Reply
  3. HI, i am a INDIAN student currently studying in class 12th and i really looking for perceiving my Cs degree in Harvard University. looking forward for your guidance

    Reply
  4. good morning respected ma’am/sir
    I’m from India (delhi). I was curious to know how much percentage is required to get into Harvard aerospace engineering. I am in 8 currently I want admission in 2026.

    Reply
  5. hi, I am Hetal. I am an aerospace engineer and I want to do my masters’ in astrophysics in Harvard but i don’t know to where to start. pls help me

    Reply
  6. I’ll complete my BBA in india in the year 2024. I want to be a MBA class 2025 batch in harward business school
    so as an indian student which test and what is the procedure to get into the harward business university.

    Reply
  7. Hi ma’am I’m anupama I’m a 10th graduant I’m really interested to work and study abroad and I really wasn’t having any idea about what it seems to be to give an application thanks for your guidance

    Reply
  8. Hi, I am looking for guidance for admission in HBS. Presently I am doing my MBA from IIM- Kashipur. Kindly update the process for

    Reply
  9. Hi Ma’am
    I’m a second year student from tier three college. I’m looking to apply in Harvard for Master’s Degree .I have done my 12th from NIOS school . my percentage in 12th was 54%.So how can I apply to get admission in Harvard. Plz guide me and be my mentor

    Reply
  10. In jan 2023 I’m looking to apply in Harvard for master’s degree what all requirements would I need to easily getting in.

    Reply

Leave a Comment