Harvard University is a private ivy-league research university established in 1636. It is one of the oldest and top-ranking universities in the US, as well as in the world. The university is renowned for its focus on innovation, invention, and international exposure.

Harvard University is well known for its excellence in teaching, learning and research. It has a great alumni list, most of them toppers in their respective fields of profession. T.S. Eliot, Barack Obama, Benazir Bhutto etc., are some of the names among the Harvard university notable alumni. The list also includes 161 Nobel Laureates and 48 Pulitzer Prize winners. This Massachusetts based university has over 20,000 candidates enrolled in various degree programs and more than 360,000 alumni around the globe. The student population of Harvard is spread across 50 states and 80 countries. 

In this article, we will talk about the Harvard University faculty, curriculum, admission requirements and more. So read on!

Faculty

Apart from classroom learning, the faculty and students at Harvard are highly involved in research and innovation. The faculty provide their guidance to the students and share their ideas for research. This fine mentoring enables the students to come up with new innovations.

The faculty in the university are not only good at teaching, but also are great researchers, who continue their research while teaching at Harvard. Their teaching experience, when backed up with knowledge through research, ensures high quality education to the students.

Harvard has always ranked in the top position of the universities around the world every year. The Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) has ranked Harvard as the world’s best university every year since it was first released.

Harvard University Curriculum

Harvard university curriculum has been designed to provide world-class education in all departments of science, literature and art, industrial and professional pursuits, general education, etc. 

The most popular majors in the university include: Social Sciences, Biology/Biological Sciences, Mathematics, History, Physical Sciences, etc. The student-faculty ratio at Harvard University is 6:1, and the school has 72.5 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 97 percent. There are about 185 Harvard University courses available, under several departments. 

The university focuses on intellectual development of the students. It combines the educational program with an international exposure through its robust student exchange programmes and several multi-diversity cultural interactions. The aim is to create a transformative educational experience for students, with a focus on deep disciplinary knowledge; problem-solving; leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills; and personal health and well-being.

Following are the 12 degree-granting Graduate and Professional Schools at Harvard:

• Harvard Business School
• Harvard Divinity School
• Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
• Harvard Graduate School of Design
• Harvard Graduate School of Education
• Harvard Kennedy School
• Harvard Law School
• Harvard Medical School
• Harvard School of Dental Medicine
• Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
• American Repertory Theatre

Admission Requirements 

The admission requirements to Harvard University differs based on the program you choose. However, generally the admission committee looks for:

• Standardized test scores – A good score in the common admission tests like SAT, ACT or GMAT is mandatory for the admission to Harvard. The score range differs depending upon the courses you wish to apply for. If you are an international student, you might also have to submit the scores of the English proficiency tests such as TOEFL, IELTS. 
• Academic GPA – A good academic record is also required to get into the university. Considering the high competition, you need to aim for at least 7+ CGPA out of 10.
• Essay – Essay is an important part of the admission process of Harvard. A great essay can prove that you’ve the competency and skills that they look for in the applicants.  
• Letters of Recommendation – The recommendation letters you submit must have information such as your areas of strength,  key roles in working with professors, and opportunities explored.

Apart from these factors, the universities might also ask you about your extracurricular activities, SOPs etc. Hence, ensure that you go through the official website to avoid hassles while filling in the application.

Harvard University Fees & Financial Aid

The Harvard course fee varies based on the programs you choose. Though it might seem the fees are a bit higher, around 55% of students receive financial aid. The good thing is that Harvard scholarships are need-based financial aid, not academic, athletic, or merit-based. The scholarships are based on your family’s financial status, assets, etc. 

Given below is a table that’ll give you an idea of the fee structure for different courses.

Courses	Tuition Fees (Approx)
MA	INR 36.5L – 38.3L
MBA	INR 54.2L
BBA	INR 36.6L
MIM	INR 14.7L – 39L
MS	INR 14.7L – 62.3L
BSc	INR 36.6L
BE/Btech	INR 36.6L – 38.3L
MDes	INR 39.4L
M.Eng	INR 41.7L
Other Courses	INR 14.3L – 48.9L

There are numerous Harvard university scholarships for Indian students. However, you can only apply for it if you meet all the eligibility criteria mentioned by the university. The popular  scholarships for Indian students include: Boustany MBA Harvard Scholarship, The Robert S. Kaplan (MBA 1983) Life Sciences Fellowship, HGSE Financial Aid, and Horace W. Goldsmith Fellowship.

Placement and Salary

Leading companies like Google, Microsoft recruit Harvard graduates. And, it doesn’t stop there! Top educational and research institutes like Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University itself hire the Harvard graduates. According to the data provided by PayScale, the median starting salary of a Harvard graduate is $86,000 per annum.

Getting admissions to the prestigious Harvard University could seem difficult, but it’s not impossible. With proper preparation and planning, you could be the one among the 5% of applicants who get selected. Hence, if Harvard is in your dreams, make sure to go through the requirements listed above, start your preparations and make that dream come true! Good luck.