Early acceptance rate for Harvard?

I'm a top student at my school interested in applying to Harvard during the early acceptance round. I know it's quite competitive, but exactly how tough is it? What's the early acceptance rate like when applying to Harvard?

While it's challenging to definitively state the acceptance rates for early decision or action at any particular university, including Harvard, as they can fluctuate each year based on the number of applications received, the general trend observed suggests that the acceptance rate is significantly higher in the early decision/action pool.

Harvard's early decision or action acceptance rate has hovered around 14-15% in recent years. This compares to the regular decision acceptance rate which generally hovers around 3-4%. It's important to note, however, that these rates are averages and can vary from year to year.

However, keep in mind the pool of students applying early is typically more competitive, and the higher acceptance rate reflects this. Moreover, Stanford and Harvard have repeatedly stressed that applying early doesn't boost an applicant's chances and that they simply admit the most qualified candidates regardless of the round.

Remember, too, that the decision to apply early should not solely be based on the acceptance rates; it should also take into consideration whether or not you are ready to commit to a school and whether your application is as strong as it can be. Particularly at a school as competitive as Harvard, it's crucial that your application showcases your strengths effectively.