A historic number of applicants—22,955—applied to Harvard College this year, marking a new milestone. The traditional admission letters were dispatched to 9% (2,058) of the applicants, setting a new low in the university’s history. Additionally, the Class of 2011, set to enter in September, will be the most economically diverse cohort, with an estimated 26% of students eligible for Harvard’s new Financial Aid Initiative (HFAI). This initiative offers no financial contributions for families earning less than $60,000 annually and reduced contributions for those earning between $60,000 and $80,000.

William R. Fitzsimmons, the dean of admissions and financial aid, emphasized that the HFAI sends a clear message of welcoming students of excellence regardless of their financial need. He noted that students from all economic backgrounds now recognize the value of learning with classmates from varied life experiences. Since the HFAI’s inception three years ago, there has been a 34% increase in aid for students from families with incomes under $60,000.

The admitted class features notable diversity, with 50.5% being women. Record percentages of African Americans (10.7%), Asian Americans (19.6%), Latinos (10.1%), and Native Americans (1.5%) were also achieved. The applicant pool demonstrates exceptional academic talent, with nearly 2,500 scoring a perfect 800 on their SAT verbal tests, almost 3,200 scoring 800 on the SAT math, and over 3,000 ranking first in their high school classes.

Financial aid for the upcoming academic year will be the most generous in Harvard’s history, with $103 million in scholarships, a 6.8% increase from the previous year, and a 57% increase over the past six years. Two-thirds of Harvard undergraduates receive some form of financial aid, including scholarships, loans, and jobs. The average total student package is expected to exceed $36,000, covering over 70% of the total cost of attendance.

Sarah C. Donahue, the director of financial aid, and her team will be available to discuss financial aid options with admitted students and their families from April 1st to April 30th, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. She highlighted that families can explore various payment options, including prepaying tuition at current rates or extending payments up to 15 years. Other forms of financial assistance, such as the Faculty Aide Program, the Harvard College Research Program, and the Dean’s Summer Research Program, will also be discussed.

Geographic representation among the admitted students mirrors last year’s figures. Approximately 27% come from the mid-Atlantic region, 20% from the Western and Mountain States, 17% from New England, 16% from the South, 11% from the Midwest, and 10% from U.S. territories and abroad. Foreign citizens make up 9.1% of the admitted students, compared to 8.7% last year. Additionally, a significant portion of the class brings an international perspective, including Americans who have lived abroad, 114 U.S. dual citizens, and 88 U.S. permanent residents. Altogether, these groups represent nearly 19% of the Class of 2011.

The percentage of students interested in engineering increased from 8.4% to 9.5%, accompanied by rises in those interested in mathematics (7% to 8.6%) and computer science (1.6% to 1.7%). There were slight declines in those planning to concentrate in the physical sciences (8.7% to 7.7%), the social sciences (26.3% to 24.8%), the humanities (25.7% to 23.8%), and those undecided (1.4% to 0.3%). However, there was a rise in interest in the biological sciences (21% to 23.6%).

The Class of 2011 engages in a wide range of extracurricular activities. Major focuses include music (23%), creative writing, journalism, and other writing (22%), social service (20%), arts, dance, and drama (19%), student government (12%), debate (11%), and political groups (8%). Fifty-eight percent of the class plans to participate in recreational, intramural, or intercollegiate athletics.

Marlyn McGrath Lewis, the director of admissions, stated that recruitment played a crucial role in attracting outstanding students to Harvard. About 70% of all admitted students and over 90% of minority students were on the original College Board Search List that helped launch Harvard’s outreach program for the Class of 2011 last spring. Alumni volunteers will call newly admitted students and host local gatherings in April. They will also prepare for visits to nearly 70 cities this spring to target high school juniors who will eventually comprise the Class of 2012. Alumni conduct interviews that are critical to the decision-making process.

Roger Banks, the director of undergraduate recruitment, expressed gratitude to the Undergraduate Minority Recruiting Program (UMRP) and the Harvard Financial Aid Initiative (HFAI) for their roles in attracting this exceptional group of admitted students. Members of these organizations made numerous calls, sent emails and letters, met with visiting student groups, and traveled to various parts of the country to recruit talented students.

Melanie Brennand Mueller, the director of HFAI, expressed delight at setting another record for economic diversity and outlined plans for expanded recruitment next year. Patrick Griffin, the HFAI assistant director, thanked undergraduates and alumni for their crucial roles in reaching out to talented students from all backgrounds.

Fitzsimmons and Lewis praised the efforts of the Undergraduate Admissions Council (UAC) and the undergraduate tour guides and greeters, who help prospective students get a realistic view of undergraduate life. David Evans, the co-director of UAC, noted that students involved in the UAC give generously of their time. Talhia Tuck, the other co-director, added that UAC members receive numerous compliments from students. James Pautz, the director of the Undergraduate Tour Program, observed that tour guides and greeters enthusiastically welcome prospective students to campus, sharing anecdotes about life at Harvard.

Fitzsimmons and Lewis underscored the importance of personal contact with admitted students, emphasizing the role of the teaching faculty in the admissions process. Faculty members talk with prospective students, answer inquiries, and evaluate applications. Members of the teaching faculty serving on the Admissions Committee include John E. Dowling, Mary M. Gaylord, Benedict H. Gross, Guido Guidotti, Joseph D. Harris, J. Woodland Hastings, Harry R. Lewis, David R. McCann, James J. McCarthy, Venkatesh Narayanamurti, Richard J. O’Connell, Orlando Patterson, Nancy Sommers, Frans Spaepen, John Stauffer, Steven C. Wofsy, and Robert M. Woollacott.

Members of the Undergraduate Admissions Council, the Undergraduate Minority Recruitment Program, the Harvard Financial Aid Initiative, the admissions and financial aid staff, and the teaching faculty will contact admitted students via phone and meetings. For the fourth consecutive year, the Admissions Office hosts online chats and message boards for admitted students, beginning in December with those admitted under the Early Action program. Additional chat sessions in April provide opportunities for admitted students to speak with Harvard undergraduates and one another.

A Visiting Program for admitted students is scheduled for April 21-23. This includes visits to classes, faculty panel discussions, concerts, receptions, departmental open houses, symposia, and events offered by extracurricular organizations. Erin Fehn, the Visiting Program director, noted that the program gives students the chance to explore opportunities in Cambridge and meet their future professors and classmates. Christine Gibbons, the assistant director of the Visiting Program, added that past experience indicates that many students decide to attend Harvard as a result of the Visiting Program.

Admitted students have until May 1 to reply for September matriculation.

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