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It was even harder to get into Harvard this year: Acceptance rate drops to 4.5 percent

Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff/File/Globe Staff

Harvard College’s acceptance rate for the Class of 2023 is 4.5 percent, according to figures released by the school.

The school received 43,330 applications for the Class of 2023, more than last year’s record-breaking 42,742, with 4.5 percent, or 1,950 students, being accepted. In 2018, the school admitted 1,962 students, or nearly 4.6 percent, of applicants.

The 4.5 percent acceptance rate is a new record low for the college, according to the Harvard Crimson.

“The Class of 2023 is remarkably accomplished and promising by any standard,” William R. Fitzsimmons, dean of admissions and financial aid, said in a statement from Harvard College. “Reading their applications and getting to know these individuals through their unique experiences and talents inspires great confidence for the future of Harvard College and our society.”

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The class is made up equally of men and women, according to Harvard, a minor adjustment to last year’s class, which was 50.1 percent women.

More than half the admitted students will receive need-based grants, allowing the average payments for families to be $12,000 per year, according to Harvard.

Twenty percent of Thursday’s admitted students’ families have yearly family incomes below $65,000, and they will not be required to financially contribute. Those students will also receive a $2,000 grant to help with move-in costs and any other costs associated with their transition to college, according to the school.

For students not receiving need-based aid, Harvard College said, cost of attendance for the 2019-2020 school year will be $69,607.

Those who were admitted have until May 1 to decide whether they will be attending.


Breanne Kovatch can be reached at breanne.kovatch@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter at @breannekovatch.