The Class of 2010 at Harvard University stands out as the most diverse in the institution’s history, marking significant milestones in economic, gender, and ethnic diversity. This year saw a 10 percent increase in the number of students admitted through the university’s new Financial Aid Initiative (HFAI), bringing the total to a record 2,109 students from an applicant pool of 22,753. Ninety-three percent of admitted students received notification via email, with the remaining receiving traditional letters.

Notably, 51.8 percent of the admitted students are women, surpassing last year’s figure of 49.5 percent. The class also set records for Latino representation (9.8 percent), Native American representation (1.4 percent), and African American representation (10.5 percent, tying last year’s record). Asian Americans comprised 17.7 percent of the admitted students, showing a slight increase from the previous year.

Academically, the applicant pool continues to reflect high levels of excellence. Nearly 2,600 students achieved a perfect score of 800 on the SAT verbal section, 2,700 on the math section, and nearly 3,000 were valedictorians of their high school classes. William R. Fitzsimmons, dean of admissions and financial aid, highlighted the remarkable progress, saying, “Harvard has reached milestones that seemed almost unimaginable not so many years ago.”

Financial aid remains a foundation of Harvard’s mission. For the upcoming academic year, the financial aid program will be the most generous in Harvard’s history, with nearly $90 million in scholarships for undergraduates. This represents a 6.2 percent increase from the previous year and a 65 percent increase over the past six years. The new Financial Aid Initiative adds an additional $2.4 million annually. Approximately 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 $33,000, covering more than 70 percent of the total cost of attendance.

President Lawrence H. Summers expressed satisfaction with the results, stating, “Thanks to vigorous recruiting efforts, we have added substantially to Harvard’s economic diversity while maintaining a level of excellence that is truly remarkable.” Building on the success of the HFAI, the university has further enhanced its financial aid program. The income threshold for families who will not be required to make a parental contribution has been raised from $40,000 to $60,000. The threshold for families who will benefit from a reduced parental contribution has increased from $60,000 to $80,000. Additionally, the annual $2,150 summer savings expectation can now be met with scholarship awards from external sources, such as National Merit and the Gates Millennium Scholarship Program.

Geographically, the admitted class reflects a diverse range of regions. More than 25 percent of the students come from the mid-Atlantic region, 21 percent from the Western and Mountain states, 16 percent from New England, 16 percent from the South, 11 percent from the Midwest, and 10 percent from U.S. territories and abroad. Foreign citizens make up 181 students, down slightly from 183 in the Class of 2009. Other international students include 123 U.S. dual citizens and 102 U.S. permanent residents, comprising 19.2 percent of the Class of 2010, up from 16.9 percent last year. A total of 79 countries are represented in the incoming class.

In terms of academic interests, 21 percent of the admitted students listed biological sciences as their intended concentration, followed by 9 percent in the physical sciences, 8 percent in engineering, 7 percent in mathematics, and 2 percent in computer science. The social sciences attracted 26 percent, and the humanities drew 26 percent, with 1 percent undecided.

Extracurricular activities are also varied among the admitted students. Music, creative writing, journalism, and other writing combined to account for 50 percent of extracurricular focuses, followed by arts, dance, and drama (21 percent), social service (17 percent), student government (14 percent), debate (11 percent), and political groups (10 percent). Fifty-two percent of the class plan to participate in recreational, intramural, or intercollegiate athletics.

Fitzsimmons emphasized the effectiveness of recruitment efforts, noting that about 70 percent of all admitted students and over 90 percent of minority students were on the original College Board Search List that helped launch the HFAI outreach program. He highlighted the crucial role of alumni volunteers, who will call newly admitted students and host local gatherings in April. The Undergraduate Minority Recruiting Program (UMRP) and the Harvard Financial Aid Initiative (HFAI) played significant roles in attracting this diverse group of admitted students.

Melanie Brennand Mueller and Sarah E. Beasley, co-directors of HFAI, praised the creation of a new publication, “Shoestring Strategies for Life at Harvard,” which aims to help students manage their expenses in Cambridge. The HFAI also introduced a student-to-student mentoring program and a monthly newsletter.

Marlyn McGrath Lewis, director of admissions, commended the efforts of the Undergraduate Admissions Council and the undergraduate tour guides and greeters, who contribute significantly to the university’s outreach efforts. She also highlighted the importance of faculty involvement in the admissions process, where faculty members engage with prospective students and evaluate applications.

For the third consecutive year, the Admissions Office hosted online chats and message boards for admitted students, providing an opportunity to connect with Harvard undergraduates and admissions representatives. A Visiting Program for admitted students is scheduled for April 22-24, offering a chance to explore campus life and meet potential professors and classmates.

Financial aid representatives will be available to discuss financing options for admitted students and their families during the month of April. Sarah C. Donahue, director of financial aid, outlined various forms of financial assistance, including the Faculty Aide Program, the Harvard College Research Program, and the Dean’s Summer Research Program, which enable students to collaborate with faculty on academic projects.

The article concludes with a memorial tribute to the late John E. Malmstad, a former member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, highlighting his contributions to the university community.

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