Harvard ED Acceptance Rate Confusion

So I'm super anxious about this - I really want to apply to Harvard ED next year, but I'm not very clear about their acceptance rate. Can anyone help me understand how it works? Is it higher or lower than RD? Any insights would be deeply appreciated!

Indeed, Harvard is an elite and highly selective institution and the admissions process can indeed be quite competitive. Harvard doesn't actually have an Early Decision (ED) policy, but rather they implement what is called a Restrictive Early Action policy. This simply means you can apply early to Harvard (typically by November 1), but won't be obligated to attend if you get in. Unlike ED policies at some schools, Harvard's policy doesn't expect you to commit to the school if you get accepted.

Now, onto acceptance rates: While it's true that Restrictive Early Action acceptance rates tend to be higher than Regular Decision (RD) rates, this can be a bit misleading. The early applicant pool often includes very high-achieving students, including recruited athletes and legacy students, which can skew the Restrictive Early Action acceptance rate higher. Therefore, always remember that a higher early acceptance rate doesn't necessarily mean that it's easier to get in early.

In sum, applying Restrictive Early Action to Harvard can provide an admissions boost, but remember to maintain a holistic approach to your application - solid academics, well-written essays, and robust extracurricular activities are all components that are likewise important in the admission process.