Harvard University
The oldest university in the United States, founded in 1636. Need-blind for international students and a financial aid system that covers 100 percent of demonstrated need. 161 associated Nobel laureates and 8 American presidents.
About Harvard
Harvard University was founded in 1636, 140 years before the American Declaration of Independence. The main campus is in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a historic suburb of Boston reachable by the T subway (Red Line) in 15 minutes from downtown. Harvard Yard, the heart of campus, is the exact spot where John Harvard endowed the first college in the 17th century. Today, the university has about 7,500 undergraduate students and a total of 24,000 including the graduate schools (Business, Law, Medical, Kennedy School of Government).
Harvard's academic system is flexible by design. You do not apply to a major at admission: you apply to Harvard College, and you choose your concentration (the equivalent of majoring) in your second year. There are more than 50 concentrations available, from Computer Science and Applied Math to Government, Economics, Romance Languages or Statistics. The Harvard tutorial system, inherited from the British model, offers one-on-one mentoring with professors in years 2 and 3.
After your first year spent in the dorms of Harvard Yard, you move into one of the 12 residential Houses (Mather, Eliot, Quincy, Adams and others). Here you live for the remaining 3 years, alongside about 400 peers, with a shared dining hall, your own library and resident tutors. Your House is your extended family on campus.
For Romanian students: Harvard is one of the 8 universities in the USA that are need-blind for international students (admission decisions do not take financial circumstances into account) and covers 100 percent of demonstrated need. Families with an annual income under $100,000 (~RON 460,000) pay zero, and those under $200,000 pay no tuition. Notable alumni: 8 American presidents (Obama, JFK, FDR, both Roosevelts, both Bushes, John Adams, JQ Adams), Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates (dropped out), Natalie Portman, Conan O'Brien, Sheryl Sandberg.
How to apply to Harvard
Common App or Coalition (Scoir)
Harvard accepts both platforms. The Common App is the most popular. You fill in personal details, activities, essays and pay $85 (a waiver is available if you demonstrate financial need).
SAT or ACT (required)
Harvard reinstated standardized testing from the Class of 2029. Competitive score: SAT 1500+ or ACT 34+. Codes: 3434 (SAT), 1840 (ACT).
TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo
For Romanians, proof of English is standard: TOEFL iBT minimum 100, IELTS 7.5+, Duolingo 130+. Note: these do NOT replace the SAT/ACT, they are additional requirements.
Personal Statement + Harvard supplement
650-word Personal Statement plus 5 short Harvard-specific essays (~150 words each). The most important part of the application after grades.
Recommendations
2 recommendations from teachers (ideally different subjects, in English or officially translated) plus 1 from your counselor/homeroom teacher. A major factor in the decision.
Alumni interview (optional)
You may be contacted by a Harvard alumnus in your area for an informal interview (there is an alumni network in Romania). It is not mandatory, but it is an opportunity.
Costs and financial aid
Total cost of attendance 2026-27
Additional costs for Romanians
You pay $0
Families with an annual income under $100,000 (about RON 460,000) pay zero. Harvard fully covers tuition, housing, meals and personal expenses.
No tuition
Families with an income between $100,000 and $200,000 (~RON 460k to 920k) pay no tuition. They contribute only toward housing and meals, partially subsidized.
Personalized aid
Families with an income over $200,000 may still receive aid, depending on assets, siblings in college and other circumstances. Harvard reviews each case individually.
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Talk to a mentorFrequently asked questions
What is Harvard's admission rate for Romanians?
The overall admission rate for the Class of 2029 was 4.18 percent (1,937 admitted out of 47,893 applicants). For international students it is even more competitive, around 2 percent. Each year, Harvard admits on average 1 to 3 Romanian students (an approximate figure, Harvard does not publish a breakdown by country). Compared to other Ivy League schools, Harvard, Columbia and Princeton have the lowest admission rates.
How much does Harvard cost per year for a Romanian student and what financial aid can they receive?
The total cost of attendance in 2026-27 is about $82,866, made up of tuition and fees ($59,550), housing ($12,424), meals (~$7,950), health insurance ($4,308) and personal expenses (~$3,000). Plus initial costs: SEVIS $350, F-1 visa $185, application fee $85, TOEFL ~$220.
But: if you are admitted, Harvard pays the full difference between the cost and what your family can afford, through a non-repayable grant. Families with an income under $100,000 (~RON 460,000) pay zero. Those under $200,000 pay no tuition. About 55 percent of students receive aid; the average package is over $60,000 per year.
What does need-blind for internationals mean and why does it matter?
Need-blind means the admission decision is made without seeing the family's financial capacity. The admissions committee evaluates only your academic and personal profile. If you are admitted, Harvard separately commits to covering 100 percent of your demonstrated need.
In the USA, only 8 universities are need-blind for internationals: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Brown (Class of 2029+), Dartmouth (Class of 2026+), Amherst, Bowdoin. The rest of the Ivies (Columbia, UPenn, Cornell) are need-aware for internationals. It is an important factor for families who need financial aid.
What SAT/ACT scores do I need for Harvard?
Harvard reinstated the SAT/ACT requirement starting with the Class of 2029 (fall 2025 entry). Competitive profile: SAT 1500 plus (out of 1600) or ACT 34 plus (out of 36). Median of admitted students: SAT ~1540, ACT ~35.
Important: there is no official cutoff. Harvard does not admit by-the-numbers; a 1450 score with an extraordinary extracurricular and essay profile can compete with a 1550 with an average profile. But most admitted students have scores of 1500+. For Romanians, I recommend taking the SAT/ACT with at least 1-2 attempts for the best score.
What are the deadlines for Restrictive Early Action and Regular Decision?
Harvard offers two ways to apply:
Restrictive Early Action (REA): deadline November 1, decision December 15. You cannot apply simultaneously to Early Decision or Early Action at other private universities (exception: non-exclusive REA programs or public universities). You are free to compare offers and decide by May 1.
Regular Decision (RD): deadline January 1, decision late March. You can apply anywhere else without restrictions.
The REA admission rate is slightly higher (~7 percent vs 3 percent for RD), but the difference largely reflects the quality of the applicants. Recommendation: apply REA if Harvard is clearly your first choice and your profile is complete in October.
Is the Romanian Baccalaureate accepted at Harvard?
Yes, Harvard accepts the Romanian Baccalaureate, but not as a replacement for the SAT/ACT. These are required for applications to the Class of 2029 and beyond. The Baccalaureate is part of your academic transcript and is evaluated alongside your high school grade averages, APs (if you have any), class rank and extracurricular activities.
Recommendation for Romanians: an ideal profile includes a general Baccalaureate average of 9.80 plus, grades of 9.50 plus in the subjects relevant to your intended concentration (mathematics, physics, Romanian), SAT 1500 plus and extracurriculars with measurable impact (national olympiads, projects, leadership, sustained volunteering).
How do I obtain an F-1 visa for the USA as a Romanian citizen?
After you receive the Letter of Admission and the I-20 from Harvard, the process is standardized:
1) You pay the SEVIS fee online: $350.
2) You complete the DS-160 form online and pay the visa fee: $185.
3) You schedule an interview at the US Embassy in Bucharest, on Bulevardul Liviu Rebreanu 4-6. Summer is the busiest period; schedule 2-3 months ahead.
4) At the interview you present: passport, the I-20 form, proof of SEVIS payment, proof of funds for the first year (the Harvard financial aid letter plus a bank statement), an American visa-type photo, the letter of admission.
5) Usually the decision is made on the spot. The passport with the F-1 visa arrives by courier in 5-10 business days.
Is there a Romanian community at Harvard or in Boston?
Yes. Harvard has the Harvard Romanian Students Association (HRSA), an active student organization that runs cultural events, monthly meetings and prepares freshmen for integration. The Boston-Cambridge area has one of the largest Romanian communities in the USA, with more than 15,000 Romanians, a Romanian Orthodox church, restaurants and shops with Romanian products.
Boston Logan Airport has flights to Bucharest with a short layover (LOT via Warsaw, Lufthansa via Frankfurt). Total flight time: 11-14 hours.
Our mentors for the USA
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