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If you're applying to Harvard, it'south important to acquire everything there is to know virtually Harvard GRE scores. What'south a good GRE score for Harvard? Is there a certain GRE score you lot should be aiming for?

In this article, nosotros'll discuss what Harvard is known for, explain how competitive it is for graduate students, and go over the Harvard University GRE score requirements for major programs. Nosotros'll and so conclude with a few tips on how to calculate your chances of admission to Harvard so that yous tin can put frontward your all-time application possible.

What Kind of School Is Harvard?

Harvard University is one of the most prestigious and well-known universities in the world. It was established in 1636, making it the oldest institution of higher education in the US.

A founding member of the Ivy League, Harvard offers a variety of graduate programs that consistently top national rankings.

Currently, the university is dwelling house to 12 schools spanning the fields of law, business organization, engineering, medicine, design, instruction, public wellness, and the arts and sciences.

Harvard GRE Scores: How Competitive Is Harvard?

Harvard is an extremely competitive school for graduate applicants.

On boilerplate, the GRE scores of admitted applicants range from near 155 to 166 for Verbal and 155 to 170 for Quant, with many programs wanting scores in the 160s, or the top 10-15 percent. (Typically, Quant expectations are higher for math- and science-oriented programs, while Verbal expectations are higher for reading- and writing-oriented programs.)

Equally for Belittling Writing (AW)—generally considered the least important of the iii GRE sections—virtually admitted applicants score in the range of 4.v-5.0.

Expectations for Harvard GRE scores tin vary widely by program. For example, y'all'd likely need a college Quant score for a computer science plan than you would for an English program.

At present that we've looked at the GRE score needed for Harvard in general, let'south go over how you can figure out the Harvard GRE requirements for your programme in particular.

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What'south a Practiced GRE Score for Harvard?

In this section, we give you an overview of the average Harvard GRE scores for some of the academy'due south biggest programs. In add-on, we tell you what each program'south US News ranking is, whether the program requires GRE scores, what the average GPA of admitted applicants was, and what the credence rate is.

Earlier we look at the chart, allow's become over how Harvard GRE requirements will exist laid out. GRE scores are usually presented in i of 3 ways:

  • Required scores: These are the minimum GRE scores you demand to qualify for admission. Score lower than these thresholds and your awarding will virtually likely be rejected.
  • Recommended scores: These are the platonic GRE scores you should aim for in order to exist a competitive bidder. While you don't absolutely demand to get these scores to exist admitted, reaching (or exceeding) them will give yous a much better chance of admission.
  • Boilerplate scores: These are the average GRE scores of previously admitted applicants. You'll want to aim for at least these scores (ideally, a few points higher) if your goal is to exist a competitive bidder.

All Harvard programs beneath are arranged in alphabetical social club by field and pertain to both master's and doctoral degrees (unless otherwise stated). Nearly Harvard GRE scores are averages, though some programs reported recommended or median (i.e., the 50th percentile, which is like to the average) scores instead.

Plan The states News Ranking GRE Required? Avg. GRE Scores Avg. GPA Acceptance Charge per unit
History of Art and Architecture PhD Aye Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable
Biophysics PhD 1 Yes Five: 664
Q: 790
AW: five.three
(old scoring scale)
Unavailable Unavailable
Chemistry / Chemical Physics four Yep V: 163
Q: 166
AW: iv.5
3.92 overall, 3.95 in science coursework Unavailable
Graduate School of Design programs Yes Five: 157
Q: 159
AW: 4.0
Recommended
3.4
Unavailable
Economics PhD one Yes Five: 97th percentile
Q: 97th percentile
Unavailable 4-5%
Master of Educational activity (EdM) ane Yep 5: 80th percentile
Q: 60th percentile
AW: iv.6
Unavailable Unavailable
Education PhD 1 Yeah V: 87th percentile
Q: 58th percentile
AW: 4.nine
Unavailable Unavailable
Doctor of Didactics Leadership (EdLD) 2 Must take either GRE or GMAT V: 69th percentile
Q: 37th percentile
AW: 4.v
Unavailable Unavailable
Engineering and Applied Sciences 23 Yes 5: 80-85th percentile
Q: 90-95th percentile
3.eight 9% (for all programs)
English language PhD 8 Yeah Recommended
V: 166
Recommended
A- average in English coursework
Unavailable
Motion-picture show and Visual Studies PhD Aye Unavailable Recommended
A- average in relevant coursework
Unavailable
Health Policy PhD 1 Must take either GRE or GMAT Recommended
V: Above 80th percentile
Q: Above 80th percentile
AW: To a higher place 80th percentile
Unavailable viii-10%
Public Wellness (SM, MPH, SD, and DrPH programs) 2 Yes Median
V: 160
Q: 161
AW: 4.0
Recommended
V: 50th percentile
Q: 65th percentile
Unavailable SM: 31.three%
MPH: 52.ix%
SD: 15.7%
DrPH: 6.9%
History PhD 4 Yeah Unavailable Unavailable 6%
JD 3 Must take either LSAT or GRE Unavailable Median
iii.86
16.5%
Medical Sciences PhD programs 1 Yes Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable
Eye Eastern Studies Yes Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable
Psychology PhD programs 3 Yes Recommended
V+Q: 1350 (quondam scoring scale)
Unavailable Unavailable
Sociology PhD programs 1 Yes Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable
Theology (MDiv, MTS, ThM, and PhD programs) Yes Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable

Sources: Harvard.edu and Us News

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What Are Your Chances of Access to Harvard?

Your chances of admission to a Harvard grad program depend on several factors. Earlier we talk over those, though, allow'south get over some estimates.

For most Harvard programs, the following GRE scores and GPA should give you lot an excellent shot at getting accepted:

  • If Verbal is your nearly important section, effectually 165 on Verbal, 160 on Quant, and five.0 or higher on AW: Reading-heavy programs at Harvard want to run across loftier Verbal scores but don't expect similarly high Quant scores, so information technology's a good idea to aim for at least the low 160s on Quant. In addition, a keen AW score lets you set yourself apart from other applicants with similarly high Verbal scores.
  • If Quant is your about of import section, around 166 on Quant, 161 on Verbal, and iv.five-5.0 on AW: With math-heavy programs at Harvard, it's important to become a super high Quant score and a very proficient Verbal score. You usually don't have to worry nearly your AW score as much, every bit long as it's at least 4.5.
  • 3.eight (out of 4.0) GPA or higher: Essentially, an A or A- average is best. You'll have an fifty-fifty better shot at standing out if you accept a 4.0 (or higher, if your undergrad college calculated GPA on a weighted calibration). Remember that the rigor and relevance of your coursework are of import as well, and then fifty-fifty if your GPA isn't every bit high as these, the difficulty of your undergrad courses could work in your favor!

Getting these GRE scores and GPA should make you a very competitive applicant for Harvard. However, there are a couple of caveats.

For one, GRE and GPA expectations vary significantly among Harvard grad programs, then you won't ever demand to match the exact scores and GPA nosotros've given y'all higher up in social club to get accepted.

Secondly, because Harvard is an especially selective school, even exceptionally high GRE scores or a perfect GPA can't guarantee you'll be admitted.

Now, let's take a look at some of the near important factors that can affect your chances of admission to Harvard.

#1: Is There a Minimum Required GRE Score or GPA?

I major factor to consider is whether your grad program requires all applicants to meet a detail GPA or GRE score minimum when applying.

According to the chart, most Harvard programs don't maintain minimum GRE score cutoffs. Only if yours does have a strict cutoff, you must become at to the lowest degree this score to authorize for access. Non reaching this threshold volition (most likely) immediately disqualify your awarding.

If your plan recommends a certain GRE score (but doesn't require information technology), you should still aim for at least this score. A lower score doesn't necessarily mean your application will be butterfingers, but it volition give you a worse take a chance of getting accepted since it won't be as high as the program wants.

As for GPA, almost Harvard programs don't have minimum required GPAs. That said, you'll still demand a high GPA for admission—equally I mentioned in a higher place, an A or A- average is ideal. Unfortunately, yous can't do much to change your GPA like you can your GRE scores. If you don't have a high undergrad GPA, here are some tips on what you tin exercise to make up for it.

#ii: How Does Your GRE Score Compare to the Boilerplate?

What's the GRE score required for admission to your Harvard grad program? The easiest style to effigy this out is to notice the average GRE scores of previously admitted applicants.

Typically, you'll want to aim as high every bit, or fifty-fifty slightly higher than, your program's boilerplate GRE scores. Doing this will make you equally skillful as other applicants and requite yous a solid shot at admission.

For example, if I were applying to Harvard's doctoral chemistry programme, my goal scores should be at least 163 on Verbal, 166 on Quant, and 4.5 on AW. Getting these scores ensures I'll exist equally competitive as other applicants to my program. But if I score college—say, 165 on Exact and 168 on Quant—I'll accept an even ameliorate chance of admission!

Unfortunately, many Harvard programs don't offering GRE averages or whatsoever GRE information at all. If your program doesn't offering GRE averages, follow the tips in our guide to a skillful GRE score to estimate what scores y'all'll need for a cracking chance of getting accepted.

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#3: How Potent Is the Balance of Your Application?

In addition to GRE scores and GPA, other application factors can influence Harvard'south decision to either admit or reject you to a grad program.

Some of the about important admission factors include the post-obit:

  • How well written and compelling your statement of purpose is
  • How cogent and complimentary your letters of recommendation are
  • How much enquiry or extracurricular experience yous have in your field
  • Whether your particular research interests match the kinesthesia's areas of expertise

Essentially, you'll desire to make sure that each role of your application is every bit strong as it can exist. Don't rely solely on groovy GRE scores and a high GPA to get you admitted to Harvard; work diligently to put together an all-around impressive awarding.

Ultimately, fifty-fifty only 1 trouble with your awarding, such as a clichéd argument of purpose or sloppy CV, can brand Harvard decide to decline you. So spend fourth dimension making each element of your application shine!

What's Next?

Desire to learn more about average GRE scores?Read our guides on average GRE scores by school and by major to encounter how high you'll need to aim in order to print access committees.

What are good GRE scores for other prestigious grad schools?Accept a expect at our GRE score pages for MIT, Stanford (coming soon), and Columbia (coming soon) to learn more than!

Ready to improve your GRE score by 7 points?

We've written a eBook about the pinnacle 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your GRE score. Download it for free now:



Hannah graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern California with a bachelor's degree in English and East Asian languages and cultures. After graduation, she taught English in Japan for two years via the JET Program. She is passionate most education, writing, and travel. View all posts by Hannah Muniz