Dreaming of Harvard? It’s tough, but absolutely possible! Harvard wants amazing students from all over the world, including India. Getting in isn’t just about super high marks, its about showing them who you are, what you have achieved and the impact you want to make. Thus, think of it like building a unique puzzle, every piece counts. Here in this blog you will get to know how to get into Harvard University in detail, so read on!
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Here in this section, you will know what you will require to get into Harvard from India. Look below:
Harvard doesn’t have one magic number to get in. They look at the whole picture of your achievements.
Think of your application as your storybook. You need to send Harvard all the chapters so they can see how awesome you are. Here’s a list of important documents you have to submit to apply for Harvard University from India, look below:
Thinking about applying to Harvard University? That’s great, here in this section, we will know how to get into Harvard University. It might sound super serious, but the process is actually pretty straightforward if you break it down. Think of it like putting together a really important collection of all your best schoolwork and activities. Here’s your step-by-step guide to applying to Harvard:
Step 1: Choose How You’ll Apply
First things first, you need a way to send all your information to Harvard. They don’t have their own single application instead, they use common application systems that many colleges accept. It’s like picking a shared mailbox that goes to multiple places. You can choose one of these options:
Pick the one you like best and create an account. This is where you’ll fill in your basic information, your name, address and your academic background.
Step 2: Show Off Your School Achievements
Harvard wants to see how well you do in school. You’ll need to send them official records or transcripts of your grades from high school. Your school counsellor usually helps send these over.
You also need to take a big standardised test. This is typically the SAT or the ACT. These tests are the same for everyone across the country and help Harvard see how you compare to other students. You’ll send your score directly from the testing website to Harvard.
Step 3: Write About Yourself (The Essay Part!)
This is your chance to shine and show off who you are beyond your grades to study in USA. You will write a main essay about something important to you. Harvard also asks a few smaller, specific questions that you’ll answer in a few sentences.
Step 4: Get Help from Your Teacher
You need two teachers who know you well to write a letter of recommendation. These letters tell Harvard what you are like in the classroom, if you ask good questions, work hard and help others.
Choose a teacher who thinks you are good. They will submit their letters privately, so you won’t go to read them, but they are super important.
Step 5: List Your Hobbies and Activities
Are you in a club, play sports, volunteer or help out your family a lot? Harvard wants to know what you do when you are not in class.
List of all your activities in the application. This shows them you are a well-rounded person with interests outside of just homework.
Step 6: Pay the Fee and Hit Submit
There is a small fee to apply, which helps cover the cost of reviewing your application. If paying the fee is tough for your family, you can ask for a Harvard University scholarships so you don’t have to pay.
Once everything is filled out and double-checked, hit the submit button.
Also Read: How to Get into Oxford University from India
Harvard University attracts a diverse international student body, including many from India, who often pursue a wide array of programs across its various schools. While student preferences are highly individual and can vary widely, certain fields of study consistently emerge as popular choices due to global demand, strong career prospects and Harvard’s renowned faculty and resources in these areas.
Below is a list of some of the consistently popular fields of study and programs at Harvard University among students from India, you can also try our Course finder tool for more information about the offered course:
Harvard’s financial aid program is designed to make education affordable for everyone, regardless of nationality or financial background. The table below outlines key institutes and external Harvard University scholarships available to Indian students, including their eligibility and potential value in USD and INR (using an approximate exchange rate of 1 USD = 83 INR for reference).
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard Need-Based Scholarship (Undergraduate) | Admitted undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need. | 100% of demonstrated need covered (Tuition, room, board, and expenses for families earning <$75,000/yr or INR62 Lakh) |
| Harvard Graduate Fellowships | Master's & PhD students (varies by department). Most PhD programs are fully funded. | Varies; typically full tuition waiver plus living stipend |
| Boustany MBA Harvard Scholarship | MBA students with excellent academic background and leadership potential. | Up to $51,100 (INR 42.5 Lakh) per annum; covers 75% tuition and some travel expenses |
| Horace W. Goldsmith Fellowship | First-year MBA students with leadership roles in the non-profit or public sector. | $10,000 (INR 8.3 Lakh) stipend |
| Robert S. Kaplan Life Sciences Fellowship | MBA students with academic/professional excellence in life sciences-related fields. | $10,000 (INR 8.3 Lakh) per year, total $20,000 |
| Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship | Indian students pursuing graduate studies or research in the us. | Covers tuition, living expenses, airfare, and other associated costs (Varies) |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships | Indian students with outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements (for specific programs). | Covers tuition, living expenses, and other costs (Up to INR 83.1 Lakh total) |
Also Read: Top 10 Harvard University Scholarship
You want to get into Harvard from India? It's about doing great in school, sure, but it's also about showing who you are as a person. Here's how to make your application stand out:
Summing up, getting into Harvard from India is tough, like climbing a huge hill. But it's worth it. You need good grades, good essays, cool activities, and awesome recommendations. More than that, you need to show you're curious and that you make a difference. Don't sweat the competition too much. Just focus on what you're good at. Some platforms like Gradding.com that provide best study abroad consultants may be useful in guiding you through the process and helping you look after grant opportunities through their scholarship finder tool. With some strategy and hard work, you can make your dream of going to Harvard come true.
Want to know how to get into Harvard from India? Then think of it as getting an invite to an exclusive club. Applying and getting accepted is the only possible way. You apply online and share your school stuff, test scores (like SAT/ACT), essays, and letters from teachers. If they dig your application, they will offer you an acceptance letter. After that, you'll need a student visa to head over to Boston, where Harvard is.
Yes, Harvard is known for giving money to students from other countries, including India. They look at how much your family can afford, not just your grades. They might even cover all your costs if your family doesn't make much money. So, don't let money stop you from applying.
No specific number, but they usually want to see around 95% or higher in your 12th-grade exams, and the highest grades in your subjects. They check out your whole report card, not just one number. Think of it as something near perfect, also being bright and curious about what you like to study.
To get into Harvard from India after 12th grade, you'll apply for an undergraduate program. You'll likely use the Coalition Application or Common Application websites. As Harvard doesn’t look solely at your ability to pay, it offers financial aid. You’ll need good grades, test scores, letters of recommendation, activities outside of school, and killer essays. Send in your application before the deadline.
Yes, if your family's income is low, you could get a full ride (100% covered). Harvard doesn't care whether you can pay when they decide to accept you. But if they do accept you, they'll help you cover your costs, sometimes fully.
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