76th issue
December 2019
Early Action admits to the Harvard Class of 2024
Notifications were sent on 13 December to the 895 successful applicants out of the 6,424 who applied from around the world for admission to Harvard College under the Early Action program. Those who have been offered places are not obliged to attend and have until 1st May to make a final decision. Several successful candidates were from the UK, so congratulations to all of you!
The Harvard Gazette reports that women comprise 51.7% of those admitted so far, compared with 51.2% last year and 47.2% two years ago. There has also been a continued increase in the percentage of women interested in the physical sciences, engineering and computer science. The Gazette article states:
This year, 57.4% of those intending to concentrate in the physical sciences are women, compared with 52.9% last year and 33% the year before. For computer science, the corresponding percentages are 49.1%, 42.9%, and 29%.
Click here to read the full article.
Although Harvard applicants do not have to choose their concentration (or main area of study, often called a ‘major’) in advance, they are nevertheless asked to express a preference on their application forms so the university has a rough idea of the likely numbers for different subject areas. Students have the opportunity to take classes in a variety of subjects for the first 18 months before making a final decision on their concentration mid-way through their second year. Most students change their minds about their course of study during their time at Harvard, so they can rest assured that they’re not committed to any particular subject area at entry.
Many more UK students will be applying to Harvard by the Regular Action deadline of 1st January. If you are one of them, remember that most offers of admission are made during the Regular Action cycle so your chances of getting in are just as good as for Early Action applicants. If you are keen to apply to US colleges, here is what you should be doing now and in the coming weeks, depending on your school year:
Year 13 – submit your US college applications by 1st January
You should now be in the final stages of gathering together the various components of your application, ready to send off before the deadline. Check your Common App. online to make sure that your nominated referees have submitted their reports. If not, chase them up urgently. In case there are technical glitches it’s always a good idea to submit your applications early – preferably before Christmas so you can enjoy the holidays in the knowledge that the applications are all safely with the relevant admissions offices. If you are a high achieving student from a state funded school, or from a family where no one has been to university before, we very much hope that you have included Harvard as one of your choices, as we particularly welcome applications from these groups.
Year 12 – apply for the Sutton Trust US Programme 2020
If you fulfil the criteria for the Sutton Trust US Programme, submit your application without delay.
To be eligible to apply, you must:
- Currently be in Year 12 in England or Wales, S5 in Scotland or Year 13 in Northern Ireland
- Attend, and have always attended, a state-funded school or college in the UK (i.e. non-fee paying)
- Not hold US citizenship
- Be from a low income family (generally, this will mean a household earning £45,000 per year or less)
- Be interested in US culture and higher education
In addition, the Sutton Trust are looking for students who:
- Would be the first generation of their family to attend university
- Have been eligible for free school meals
- Attend a school or college with a below average A Level or Higher point score and/or a low rate of progression into higher education
- Live in a neighbourhood with a low rate of progression into higher education and/or a high level of socio-economic deprivation
- Have excellent GCSE or S4 qualifications. This means you have achieved at or close to the grades below. In England and Northern Ireland: at least eight GCSEs at grade A or 7 or above, or near this level. In Wales: at least eight GCSEs at grade A or above, or near this level. In Scotland: at least six B passes at National 5 or above, or near this level
The more of the above criteria you meet, the more likely you are to get a place on the programme.
The programme is designed to support high achieving state school students to explore US study and access leading universities. It includes two residentials in the UK before all students spend a week in the US staying on campus at a leading university and visiting other US universities. An optional second year of the programme supports students to apply to US universities alongside their UCAS options.
Applications: Students should apply online here.
Student Application Deadline: 11.59pm, Sunday 19 January 2020
School Reference Deadline: 11.59pm, Tuesday 21 January 2020
Other than that, remember to keep up your practice schedule for the SAT or ACT over the next few months and aim to take the tests in the Spring of 2020.
Year 11 – work hard at your GCSEs and develop your extracurricular profile
Top priority this year is to work hard so that you get excellent results in your GCSEs next summer, as these will act as a gateway to whatever comes afterwards. You should also spend time developing your extracurricular activities and pursuits (in any field), as US colleges are just as interested in your extracurricular achievements as in your academic ability.
Also, it’s not too early to start thinking about doing some kind of work experience and/or community service next summer before you start your A Levels. This will stand you in good stead for both UK and US university applications, as it will show your dedication and initiative.
Merry Christmas!
We wish all of our subscribers a very merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year. See you all in 2020!
