How many applicants are there for Harvard's regular decision?

Does anyone know how many applications Harvard typically sees during the regular decision round? I'm curious about how competitive it is, especially compared to early decision.

Harvard University doesn't publicly release the exact number of applicants for Regular Decision (RD) versus the Early Action (EA) round. However, we do know that it is quite competitive. For reference, recently, Harvard reported receiving over 57,000 total applications in a single admissions cycle.

Now, to give you an indication of the competitiveness between RD and EA, keep in mind that EA tends to be more competitive simply because of the smaller, self-selected pool of applicants, which often contains a significant number of very high-achieving students. The acceptance rate for Harvard's EA is often higher than for RD, partly due to these factors (including the small boost from applying early). But keep in mind that doesn't necessarily mean it's 'easier' to get in, given that applicant pool's higher qualifications, on average.

In terms of how this translates to RD, given that the total number of applications is well into the tens of thousands and only a fraction are admitted early, it's safe to say the majority of applications come in during the RD round. The RD process at Harvard, like all highly selective colleges, is indeed very competitive. Remember, however, that admissions officers take many factors into account in their decisions, not just sheer numbers or statistics. It's essential to ensure that your application reflects your accomplishments, interests, and fit for the university.