Harvard University, nestled in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a coveted destination for many graduate school applicants. As one of the Ivy League’s most prestigious and oldest institutions, Harvard boasts a rich legacy and an extensive academic reputation. With approximately 6,700 undergraduate and 14,500 graduate students, it stands out for its academic excellence and comprehensive resources. Harvard’s library is renowned for housing the largest academic collection globally.

The university’s diverse graduate programs include the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard Law School, Harvard Business School, School of Education, School of Design, and more. Aspiring students aiming for these elite programs should be prepared for a rigorous application process and competitive GRE score requirements.

What is a good GRE score to get into Harvard?

While a strong GRE score can enhance your chances of admission to Harvard University, it is just one component of a multifaceted application process. Harvard evaluates candidates holistically, considering various elements beyond the GRE, such as the Statement of Purpose (SOP), letters of recommendation, academic transcripts, relevant work experience, and prior research contributions. Each department has its own criteria and focuses on different qualifications, making the selection process highly nuanced.

Due to capacity constraints and a highly competitive applicant pool, even well-qualified candidates may face rejection. With acceptance rates for some graduate programs at Harvard dropping as low as 3%, gaining admission to this prestigious institution remains exceptionally challenging.

Average GRE scores for Harvard

Average GRE scores vary significantly depending on the field of study at Harvard University. For example, in the field of Education, the average verbal score is in the 91st percentile, and the quantitative score is in the 71st percentile, with an analytical writing average of 5.0 for PhD candidates. For a Master of Education, the verbal average is in the 81st percentile, the quantitative average in the 61st percentile, and the analytical writing average is 4.6 (source: gsas.harvard.edu).

In contrast, the engineering field has a notably high average quantitative score of 167, while the average verbal score is slightly lower at 160. At the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, GRE quantitative scores typically range from the 90th to 95th percentile, while verbal scores are between the 75th and 80th percentiles (source: seas.harvard.edu).

For the Graduate School of Design, which includes architecture, the average GRE scores are 157 for verbal, 159 for quantitative, and 4.0 for analytical writing (source: gsd.harvard.edu).

The table below illustrates the average GRE scores for various Harvard graduate programs: