Harvard University

Brown University and Harvard University are the top universities in the U.S. Both of these universities have low acceptance rates. According to U.S. News & World Report, Brown University acceptance rate is 6%, whereas, the acceptance rate of Harvard University is 4%. They both demand high GPAs and high test-score from their applicants. However, when it comes to rankings, a difference can be observed. Brown Uni falls within the top 15 universities in the U.S. and among the top 75 in the world, whereas, Harvard falls within the top 5 in the U.S. and in the world.

Both, Harvard or Oxford, have a prestigious reputation and are considered among the best universities in the world. However, when it comes to entry requirements, then Oxford University has an acceptance rate of 17% whereas, Harvard has acceptance rate of just 4-5%, however, GMAT/GRE score requirement for Oxford is higher than Harvard. Similarly, applicants need to have a GPA of 4.5 out of 5 for getting into Oxford, whereas, one can secure admission at Harvard with a GPA of 4 out of 5.

The University of Oxford and Harvard are both the top-ranked universities and prestigious in the world. However, the decision to choose any one out of these two universities is subjective and will be based on personal choices. The comparison based on different factors of the universities is given as follows:

Harvard University accepts international applications through two application types: Restrictive Early Action or Regular Decision program. Once an applicant has applied for Harvard University admissions, it takes the university about 6 - 8 weeks to take a decision and notify the students. Listed below are the Harvard University decision dates for international students:

• Restrictive Early Action candidates will receive notification by Mid-Dec, 2024.
• Regular Decision candidates will receive notification by the Mar-End, 2025.

Harvard University provides students the opportunity to apply under either Restrictive Early Action or Regular Decision program, both of which allow the candidate to compare admission and financial aid offers from other institutions and to wait until the specific deadline to make a final college choice.

Students can apply to Harvard using the Common Application or the Coalition Application.

Harvard University application requirements is the same for US residents as well as overseas applicants. Hence, in order to apply for Harvard University admissions, all the first-year candidates must complete the Common Application or the Coalition Application along with the required supplements. Harvard is unbiased and has no preference. Each application is treated equally by the Admissions Committee of Harvard University.

Harvard University is not only a top-ranking university is US, but one of the top 5 universities in the world. In QS World University Rankings - Best Global Universities 2025, Harvard University has secured the rank #4, which is unchanged from its rank #4 in 2024. When talking about Times Higher Education (THE) rankings, Harvard University has claimed the spot #4 in World University Rankings in 2025, observing an unchanged trend from its ranking in 2024.