The number of applicants for Early Action admission to Harvard College has seen a significant increase, rising 24 percent from last year’s record 6,128 to a total of 7,615. This surge reflects the growing interest in early admission to top-tier universities. According to William R. Fitzsimmons, dean of admissions and financial aid, there was extensive media coverage on early admission over the past year. This coverage began with a September 2001 essay in The Atlantic Monthly by James Fallows, which sparked a national debate on early admission. Fitzsimmons noted that “hardly a week went by without a news article or opinion piece on the subject in a major newspaper or magazine.” This increased awareness, particularly about Harvard’s non-binding Early Action policy, where admitted students can still apply elsewhere and compare financial aid offers, appears to have influenced student and parent decisions.

While other Early Action colleges also experienced increases, their bases were generally smaller, typically under 3,000 applicants. The rise in interest in early admission programs, especially at Harvard and other national institutions, often highlighted their generous financial aid packages. Sarah C. Donahue, director of financial aid, explained that “nearly 50 percent of Harvard students are awarded scholarship assistance, and two-thirds receive some kind of financial aid.” She further noted that students now need to earn or borrow only $3,250 during the academic year, down from over $7,200 before recent enhancements. Outside awards, such as National Merit scholarships, can completely eliminate this amount. Currently, more than 600 students graduate with no loan indebtedness, and many others opt to work 10-15 hours per week to reduce or eliminate loans.

The geographical distribution of Harvard’s Early Action applications showed a notable increase from abroad, with a 45 percent rise (excluding Canada, which saw an 18 percent increase). This trend might be attributed to increased recruiting efforts and a “rebound effect” following the events of September 11, 2001, which may have discouraged some applicants from applying last year. Other regions also experienced increases, ranging from 13 percent to 30 percent. Proposed academic concentrations remained relatively stable.

The substantial increase in applications has put a considerable workload on staff and alumni. Marlyn McGrath Lewis, director of admissions, highlighted the remarkable response from admissions officers and administrative staff in processing and evaluating the many applications. Marcia Morgan, department administrator, and the entire office staff ensured a smooth and efficient flow of application documents. Alumni also conducted more interviews this year with the same dedication and care. Fitzsimmons mentioned that this new landscape in selective college admissions will likely be discussed and speculated about throughout the year.

Harvard’s Early Action applicants will be notified of the Admissions Committee’s decisions on December 13. All applicants will receive a letter, and those who opted for electronic notification (via email) will be informed on the same day.

A memorial tribute to the late John E. Malmstad was read at a meeting of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences on October 6, 2026. The article also includes brief pieces on topics such as why people love the Charles River, parenting styles, and tips for reducing smartphone addiction.

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