Each year thousands of applicants from around the world dream to go to Harvard. A persistent question that I get asked by many of these applicants is what role the GRE plays in gaining admission to Harvard. Harvard being very competitive, does not rely on any single criterion for acceptance. It looks at many factors, ranging from your essays to your interviews and your letters of recommendation. However, the GRE and your GPA are one of the most important factors that decide your fate.
Founded in 1701, Yale is one of the oldest universities in the U.S. It is located in New Haven, Connecticut, and enrolls students from around 110 countries. The prestige that Yale carries is evident by the highly competitive admissions criteria. Ranked 11th by…
If you are looking to broaden your horizons in the world of computer science, then a Masters degree in Computer Sciences (MS in CS) can do wonders for you. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of computer science and information technology is…
Lawyers are one of the most highly paid individuals in the world. Although it does depend on which specific area lawyer practices in, generally speaking, a lawyer can make anywhere from $60,000 to $200,000 per year. Yale Law School, the highest-ranked law school…
A good GRE score is the one that can get you into the program of your choice. This would vary significantly from one school to another and from one program to another. Nevertheless, it would help if you aimed for an objective score that is considered acceptable. In…
The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program is for those who love animals and enjoy science. Veterinarians (Vets) are healthcare providers who have a DVM degree, which equips them with expertise in caring for a range of animals, from household pets to zoo animals….
Georgetown, a top-ranked university, has a graduate school that is renowned for many fields of study. The most prestigious graduate schools at Georgetown are The Walsh School of Foreign Service, McCourt School of Public Policy, and McDonough business school. That…
Admissions to the top PA (Physician Assistant) schools in the U.S. are incredibly competitive. Admissions committees review applicants on diverse factors such as: Academic performance (based on the GRE, CGPA and Science GPA) Diversity in the healthcare experience…
Physical therapist (PT) professional education prepares students to practice physical therapy. Physical therapists start around $90,000, which is much higher than the average salaries of other college graduates. It is among the top healthcare careers in the U.S….
Physician assistants, PAs for short, are educated in general medicine. They practice medicine, generally under the supervision of a physician or a surgeon. PAs have competitive salaries and typically make over $100,000 on average. By 2030, this segment will grow by…
average GRE Scores for Engineering are (163 Quant, 155 Verbal, 4 AWA) average GRE Scores for MBA are (163 Quant, 161 Verbal, 5 AWA) for Public Policy (150 Quant, 153 Verbal, 4 AWA) for Sciences (158 Quant, 155 Verbal, 4 AWA) Georgia Institute of Technology, widely…
FAQs
The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences urges programs not to defer admitted students except under the most unusual circumstances.
Certainly. After you receive a letter of acceptance, there will plenty of opportunities for contact with the program administrators, your Field of Study coordinator, and faculty.
What additional resources are available to me during the application process?
No, after enrolling in the program, students will not be allowed to change their Field of Study.
Please view the GSAS webpage on English Language Proficiency for more detailed information on test score eligibility and timelines.
Harvard MPH Acceptance Rate
The Harvard Chan School master of public health degree will provide you with the breadth of knowledge, subject-specific expertise, specialized skills, and powerful global network you need to forge the career you want in public health. Whether you are a medical doctor, an established public health professional, or new to the field of public health, flexible degree formats and an array of options for specific fields of study will provide you with the right mix of grounding in the core disciplines of public health and a specialized focus to meet your individual goals.
Smart. Attractive. Successful. Harvard University. These words don’t typically get used to describe the same thing, but they do describe Harvard students who attain a master’s degree at the School of Public Health (HSPH). The MPH program is comprised of highly motivated and bright individuals pursuing careers in public health and health-related disciplines such as nursing, social work, occupational and environmental health, and clinical research.
America’s premier graduate school, Harvard University has a long tradition of excellence in research and scholarship. The School of Public Health is no exception; we offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in the public health fields and help train the leaders and thinkers that will solve global health challenges in the decades to come.
is harvard mph worth it?
Harvard Chan School MPH graduates have achieved some remarkable things. They have led global efforts to eradicate diseases such as smallpox and Guinea worm disease. They have led departments at hospitals and health care agencies. They have become leaders of ministries of health, humanitarian organizations, corporations, academic institutions, and government agencies. They have developed life-saving vaccines. They have served as surgeons, primary care physicians, and veterinarians. They have become best-selling authors. And they have even become heads of state.
The master of public health degree opens an extraordinary number of pathways to a meaningful career. Which one will you choose?
How difficult is it to get into Harvard Graduate School of Public Health?
Work experience (thats #1 by far), GMAT score, essays, personality. Theyre looking more for leadership potential than for scholarly achievement. A 4.0 doesnt hurt, but it matters WAY less than for med or law school.
US News and World Report has Harvards SPH rate (also listed on Wikipedia) as 4.5%. I am not surprised it is selective but the numbers suggest that it is the most selective in terms of admission rate from all Harvard schools. My guess is that it is a typo and it is really 14.5%, which would make more sense and making it in the same vicinity with HBS and the Engineering school, but after HMS and HLS.
How are students chosen? Is it a committee or something?
Look on their website. A medical degree is not required. A degree in law or social work can also qualify, and some programs are open to those with only a BA/BS.
US News and World Report has Harvards SPH rate (also listed on Wikipedia) as 4.5%. I am not surprised it is selective but the numbers suggest that it is the most selective in terms of admission rate from all Harvard schools. My guess is that it is a typo and it is really 14.5%, which would make more sense and making it in the same vicinity with HBS and the Engineering school, but after HMS and HLS.
Harvard has Several Prestigious Schools
Harvard University, one of the elite IVY Leagues, has the following schools that accept GRE scores.
All of these schools offer some of the most globally renowned programs, with an average acceptance rate of less than 15%. Most of the programs under these schools require the GRE, whereas some either don’t need it or make it an optional requirement.
Harvard is a Tough Nut to Crack
Since Harvard is the most prestigious school in the world, it is natural that getting admission, there will be highly competitive. For over half of the programs offered at various Harvard’s schools, the average GRE score requirements are in the upper 80th Percentile. Even in Engineering, where Verbal scores are not that important, Harvard’s GRE verbal expected score is 162+.
Moreover, having a high GRE score does not guarantee admission since there are so many other factors that Harvard takes into account. Some of these factors include:
When it comes to applying to Harvard, you should strive to perfect every aspect of your application. GRE & GPA are just part of the process but don’t solely rely on them. The competition is fierce, so you should be putting months of effort in planning your application to any Harvard program. In addition, purchasing college essay online can also affect applicant scores, so be careful using those services.
What is Harvard’s Average GRE score?
The average GRE score requirement varies from school to school at Harvard. For instance, Harvard Graduate School of Education accepted Ph.D. candidates with an average of 156 (Quantitative) and 159 (verbal). On the other hand, for the engineering school, the Quant scores were at 167, while verbal scores stood at 162. So, you cannot aim for one specific score since it varies greatly between disciplines and depends on other broader criteria. A graduate program in English would require a 90th percentile or so verbal score. Even for Analytical Writing (AWA), which is not considered very important, Harvard’s overall average AWA score is around 4.5.
Regardless of whichever discipline you are targeting, you should aim for a high 85 percentile score on each section. Harvard law school, for example, requires either the LSAT or the GRE. Though Law schools are not very focused on the quant scores, Harvard Law School (HLS) students have an average GRE score in mid 80th Percentile. (162+ Quant and 161+ Verbal)
Moreover, anomalies are always there – for instance, someone I know got into Harvard business with a GRE score of 159 Q and 154 V. Now, why did this happen? It is simple; he had over seven years of professional experience with over four marketing publications in reputed international journals. The key is not to fret a lot over the GRE scores since you are a well-rounded candidate – however, if you lack in other areas, then GRE can be a savior.
Below I have divided the average GRE score requirement of each of Harvard’s schools. Moreover, within each school, you will find the average GRE scores of the admitted applicants for the respective individual programs. All programs have been arranged for you, and in case you have trouble finding your program, you can use the search bar in the tables.
Harvard Business School
| Program Offered | Average GRE Quant Score | Average GRE Verbal Score | Average GRE AWA Score | Average Undergraduate GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBA | 167 | 163 | 5.0 | 3.7 |
| MS/MBA Biotechnology: Life Sciences | 164 | 162 | 5.0 | 3.8 |
| PhD in Business Administration | 165 | 161 | 5.5 | 3.85 |
| PhD in Business Economics | 164 | 162 | 5.0 | 3.75 |
| PhD program in Organizational Behavior | 165 | 161 | 5.0 | 3.8 |
Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
| Program Offered | Average GRE Quant Score | Average GRE Verbal Score | Average GRE AWA Score | Average Undergraduate GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Mathematics (Ph.D.) | 168 | 160 | 4.5 | 3.9 |
| Applied Physics (Ph.D.) | 167 | 161 | 5.0 | 3.85 |
| Bioengineering (Ph.D.) | 167 | 160 | 4.5 | 3.9 |
| Computer Science (Ph.D.) | 168 | 161 | 4.5 | 3.7 |
| Electrical Engineering (Ph.D.) | 168 | 162 | 5.0 | 3.85 |
| Environmental Science & Engineering (Ph.D.) | 168 | 161 | 5.0 | 3.9 |
| Master in Design Engineering | 168 | 162 | 5.0 | 3.9 |
| Masters in Computational Science and Engineering | 167 | 162 | 4.5 | 3.80 |
| Masters in Data Science | 168 | 161 | 4.5 | 3.85 |
| Materials Science & Mechanical Engineering (Ph.D.) | 167 | 161 | 4.5 | 3.8 |
| MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences | 167 | 162 | 4.5 | 3.8 |
Harvard Graduate School of Design
| Program Offered | Average GRE Quant Score | Average GRE Verbal Score | Average GRE AWA Score | Average Undergraduate GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Landscape Architecture in Urban Design | 160 | 156 | 4.5 | 3.6 |
| Master of Architecture in Urban Design | 159 | 158 | 4.0 | 3.6 |
| Master in Urban Planning and Public Policy | 158 | 157 | 4.5 | 3.65 |
| Master in Urban Planning and Public Health | 160 | 157 | 4.0 | 3.6 |
| Master in Urban Planning and Public Administration | 159 | 157 | 4.0 | 3.58 |
| Master in Urban Planning and Juris Doctor | 159 | 158 | 4.5 | 3.6 |
| Master in Urban Planning | 159 | 156 | 4.0 | 3.7 |
| Master in Landscape Architecture | 160 | 156 | 4.5 | 3.65 |
| Master in Design Studies (MDes) | 159 | 160 | 4.0 | 3.6 |
| Master in Architecture | 159 | 157 | 4.0 | 3.6 |
| Doctor of Design Program (DDes) | 159 | 157 | 4.0 | 3.6 |
Harvard Graduate School of Education
| Program Offered | Average GRE Quant Score | Average GRE Verbal Score | Average GRE AWA Score | Average Undergraduate GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education | 158 | 159 | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Masters in Education | 156 | 159 | 4.0 | 3.6 |
| The Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) | 157 | 160 | 4.5 | 3.65 |
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
| Program Offered | Average GRE Quant Score | Average GRE Verbal Score | Average GRE AWA Score | Average Undergraduate GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor of Public Health | 160 | 158 | 5.0 | 3.8 |
| Master in Health Care Management | 159 | 157 | 4.5 | 3.7 |
| Master of Public Health | 160 | 157 | 5.0 | 3.65 |
| MPH in Epidemiology Online/On-Campus | 159 | 158 | 4.5 | 3.65 |
| PhD in Biological Sciences in Public Health | 160 | 158 | 5.0 | 3.8 |
| PhD in Biostatistics | 161 | 158 | 5.5 | 3.85 |
| PhD in Population Health Sciences | 160 | 158 | 4.5 | 3.8 |
| PhD program in Health Policy (Management) | 162 | 165 | 5.0 | 3.7 |
Harvard Kennedy School
| Program Offered | Average GRE Quant Score | Average GRE Verbal Score | Average GRE AWA Score | Average Undergraduate GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master in Public Administration | 160 | 162 | 4.5 | 3.65 |
| Master in Public Administration in International Development | 159 | 164 | 5.0 | 3.7 |
| Master in Public Policy | 159 | 163 | 4.5 | 3.6 |
| Mid-Career Master in Public Administration | 158 | 162 | 4.5 | 3.65 |
| PhD in Public Policy | 162 | 164 | 5.0 | 3.7 |
| PhD in Political Economy & Government | 161 | 165 | 5.0 | 3.8 |
| PhD in Social Policy | 162 | 163 | 4.5 | 3.8 |
| PhD in Political Science | GRE is not required |
Harvard Medical School
GRE recommended, GPA Average: 3.8
| Program Offered | Average GRE Quant Score | Average GRE Verbal Score | Average GRE AWA Score | Average Undergrad GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhD in Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics | GRE recommended, not required | 3.8 | ||
| PhD in Biological and Biomedical Sciences | GRE recommended, not required | 3.85 | ||
| PhD in Immunology | GRE recommended, not required | 3.75 | ||
| PhD in Neuroscience | GRE recommended, not required | 3.8 | ||
| PhD in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology | GRE recommended, not required | 3.8 | ||
| PhD in Virology | GRE recommended, not required | 3.85 |
Harvard Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
| Program Offered | Average GRE Quant Score | Average GRE Verbal Score | Average GRE AWA Score | Average Undergraduate GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Practice and Critical Inquiry (PhD only) | 156 | 161 | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Masters and PhD in Celtic Languages and Literatures | GRE recommended, not required | 3.6 | ||
| Masters and PhD in History of Science | GRE recommended, not required | 3.7 | ||
| Masters and PhD in Middle Eastern Studies | 154 | 157 | 4.0 | 3.6 |
| Masters and PhD in Music Specialization in Composition | 156 | 161 | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Masters and PhD in Anthropology | GRE recommended, not required | 3.7 | ||
| Masters and PhD in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations | 155 | 162 | 4.5 | 3.6 |
| Masters and PhD in South Asian Studies | 155 | 162 | 4.5 | 3.6 |
| Masters in Regional Studies–East Asia | 157 | 163 | 5.0 | 3.7 |
| Masters in Regional Studies–Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia | 158 | 163 | 4.5 | 3.7 |
| Music Theory (PhD only) | 156 | 161 | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Musicology/Ethnomusicology (PhD only) | 156 | 161 | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Musicology/Historical (PhD only) | 156 | 161 | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Performance Practice* (Masters only) | 156 | 161 | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| PhD in African and African American Studies | 153 | 164 | 5.0 | 3.7 |
| PhD in American Studies | GRE is not required | 3.8 | ||
| PhD in Astronomy | GRE is not required | 3.9 | ||
| PhD in Biophysics | 168 | 164 | 5.0 | 3.9 |
| PhD in Chemical Physics | 166 | 162 | 4.5 | 3.98 |
| PhD in Chemistry and Chemical Biology | 166 | 162 | 4.5 | 3.98 |
| PhD in Comparative Literature | 153 | 164 | 5.0 | 3.6 |
| PhD in Earth and Planetary Sciences | 166 | 162 | 5.0 | 3.8 |
| PhD in East Asian Languages and Civilizations | 155 | 163 | 5.5 | 3.7 |
| PhD in Economics | 168 | 165 | 5.5 | 3.8 |
| PhD in English | GRE is not required | 3.7 | ||
| PhD in Film and Visual Studies | 156 | 167 | 5.0 | 3.7 |
| PhD in Germanic Languages and Literatures | 154 | 162 | 5.0 | 3.8 |