For the first time in Harvard’s history, women now make up more than 50% of the students admitted to the freshman class of 2008. This milestone marks a significant shift from the 4-to-1 male-to-female ratio observed in the 1960s. William R. Fitzsimmons, the dean of admissions and financial aid, attributes this achievement to the visionary efforts of Harvard and Radcliffe in instituting equal access admission for women in the 1970s, alongside the ongoing contributions of faculty, students, staff, and alumni.

The Class of 2008 was selected from a pool of 19,750 applicants, marking the second-largest total in Harvard’s history. Despite a decrease in Early Action application numbers by over 3,700, Regular Action applications rebounded, resulting in a substantial applicant group. Admitted students were notified via both letter and email on April 1st.

Interestingly, women and men were admitted in nearly equal numbers, with a slight edge to women, 1,016 to 1,013. Dean Fitzsimmons revealed that the final numbers were closer than initially anticipated, with the last votes determining the outcome.

Academic standards among applicants were impressive, with 56% scoring 1,400 or higher on the SATs, 2,700 achieving a perfect 800 on the mathematics section, nearly 2,000 scoring 800 on the verbal section, and 2,800 being valedictorians of their high school classes. Harvard’s new financial aid initiative aims to attract talented students from all economic backgrounds, particularly those from families with lower and middle incomes. The $2 million plan announced by President Lawrence H. Summers eliminates parental contributions for students from families earning up to $40,000 annually and reduces contributions for those earning between $40,000 and $60,000.

This initiative brings Harvard’s total annual scholarship commitment to $80 million, a 50% increase over the past six years, despite a 13.5% rise in inflation. William C. Kirby, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Edith and Benjamin Geisinger Professor of History, emphasized the importance of need-blind admissions and need-based financial aid. Sarah C. Donahue, director of financial aid, noted that two-thirds of undergraduates receive some form of financial aid, with nearly half qualifying for need-based scholarship assistance averaging around $28,500, which covers about 70% of a student’s total costs, including allowances for personal expenses.

Financial assistance extends beyond scholarships, including the Faculty Aide Program, the Harvard College Research Program, and the Dean’s Summer Research Program, which allow students to engage in academic projects with faculty. Financial aid staff will be available to discuss options with admitted students and their families from April 1st to 30th, offering various payment options and extending payment periods up to 15 years.

Geographically, the Class of 2008 will have a diverse representation, with 25% residing in the mid-Atlantic region, 19% in the Western and Mountain states, 17% in New England, 17% in the South, 12% in the Midwest, and 10% from U.S. territories and abroad. Foreign citizens account for 166 students, a slight increase from last year’s 161. Additionally, there are 81 U.S. dual citizens and 81 U.S. permanent residents, bringing the total percentage of international students to 16.2%, up from 15.4% last year.

Academically, the class shows a broad range of interests. Over 22% are interested in biological sciences, 9% in physical sciences, 8% in engineering, 8% in mathematics, and 2% in computer science. Social sciences and humanities each attract almost 25%, with 1% undecided. Extracurricular activities include music (26%), creative writing and journalism (24%), arts, dance, and drama (21%), social service (19%), student government (12%), debate (12%), and political groups (9%). More than 57% of the class plans to participate in recreational, intramural, or intercollegiate athletics.

Diversity within the class is notable, with records set for Asian Americans (18.9%), African Americans (10.3%), and Latinos (9.5%). Native Americans will comprise nearly 1%. Roger Banks, director of undergraduate minority recruiting, highlighted the efforts of the Undergraduate Admissions Council, the Undergraduate Minority Recruitment Program, and undergraduate tour guides in ensuring that prospective students are well-served.

Marlyn McGrath Lewis, director of admissions, praised the contributions of the teaching faculty, noting that they spend extensive time engaging with prospective students through personal interactions and evaluations. Faculty members also play a crucial role in the admissions process, reading hundreds of application folders, evaluating academic research, and assisting in portfolio assessments across disciplines.

For the first time, the Admissions Office is hosting online chats for admitted students, with over 500 Early Action admitted students from 47 states and 14 countries participating in previous sessions. Additional chat sessions in April will offer opportunities for admitted students to interact with Harvard undergraduates and future classmates. Meghan Crnic, director of Internet Communications, emphasized the success of these online interactions.

Admitted students will have the chance to visit Harvard during the Visiting Program from April 24-26, where they can attend classes, faculty panel discussions, concerts, receptions, departmental open houses, symposia, and events offered by extracurricular organizations. Megan Basil, Visiting Program director, explained that the program provides students with an opportunity to explore the many opportunities available at Harvard. More than 1,200 admitted students will visit during the month of April, with nearly 1,100 attending the Visiting Program.

Recruitment remains crucial for attracting the nation’s and world’s best students. Nearly 70% of all admitted students and 88% of minority students were on the original College Board Search List that helped launch the outreach program for the Class of 2008 last spring. Harvard visited hundreds of cities across the country and the world to invite the most promising students to apply.

Admitted students have until May 1st to reply to their acceptance offers. At a meeting of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences on October 6, 2026, a tribute to the life and service of the late John E. Malmstad was spread.

Check the official portal for more detailed information and updates.

News is prepared from public university announcements for general guidance. Policies change frequently; confirm current details with each university admissions office.