Harvard Outreach Newsletter

136th Issue, December 2024

In this issue:

What you need to be doing now if you want to apply to US colleges

If you are keen to apply to US colleges, here is what you should be doing now and in the coming weeks, depending on your school year:

Year 13 (England & Wales) S6 (Scotland) Year 14 (N. Ireland)

Submit your US college applications by early January

You should now be in the final stages of gathering together the various components of your application, ready to send off before the deadline (1st January at Harvard, but it does vary from college to college). Check your Common App. online to make sure that your nominated referees have submitted their reports. If not, chase them up urgently. It’s always a good idea to submit your applications a few days before the deadline in case of last-minute technical glitches. If you are a high achieving student from a family where no one has been to university before (known in the US as a ‘first generation’ applicant), please do not be put off from applying to Harvard – the Admissions Office welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.

Applicants to most US colleges do not have to choose their concentration (or main area of study, often called a ‘major’) in advance, but you are nevertheless asked to express a preference on your application form so the College has a rough idea of the likely numbers for different concentrations. For the first 18 months, students are encouraged to take classes in a variety of different areas – including subjects they have not previously had the opportunity to study – before making a final decision on their concentration mid-way through the second year. Most students change their minds about their course of study during their time at Harvard, so you can rest assured that you will not be committed to any particular subject area when you start your degree.

Year 12 (England & Wales) S5 (Scotland) Year 13 (N. Ireland)

Apply for the Sutton Trust US Programme 2025

If you fulfil the criteria for the Sutton Trust US Programme, submit your application without delay.

To be eligible to apply, you must:

Currently be in Year 12 in England or Wales, S5 in Scotland or Year 13 in Northern Ireland.
Attend, and have always attended, a state-funded school or college in the UK (i.e. non-fee paying).
Not hold US citizenship.
Be from a low or middle income family (generally, this will mean a household earning £50,000 per year or less).
Be interested in US culture and higher education.

In addition, the Sutton Trust are looking for students who:

Would be the first generation of their family to attend university.
Have been eligible for free school meals.
Attend a school or college with a below average A Level or Higher point score and/or a low rate of progression into higher education.
Have attended schools with a lower than average progression to higher education, or a higher than average proportion of students who qualify for free school meals.
Live in a neighbourhood with a low rate of progression into higher education and/or a high level of socio-economic deprivation.
Have excellent GCSEs or S4 qualifications. This means you have achieved at or close to the following grades. In England and Northern Ireland: at least eight GCSEs at grade A or 7 or above, or near this level. In Wales: at least eight GCSEs at grade A or above, or near this level. In Scotland: at least six B passes at National 5 or above, or near this level.

The more of these you meet, the more likely you are to get a place on the programme.

Selection criteria

Students will complete an online application modelled on the US Common Application and Financial Aid forms. This will help the Sutton Trust to conduct a holistic review of your application, and will get students in the mindset of the US admissions process. The main criteria are:

Academic performance and potential.
Extracurricular involvement, including school and community activities, work experience, paid work, sports and music performance, volunteering, caring responsibilities and other interests.
Character: leadership, service, work ethic, enthusiasm, drive to succeed.
Demonstrated interest in US higher education.

Applications: Students should apply online

Student application form deadline: 11.59pm, Tuesday 14 January 2025

School reference form deadline: 11.59pm, Monday 20 January 2025

Applicants will be notified of the outcome in early March 2025.

Teachers providing references should read the Sutton Trust’ s information for teachers.

The Sutton Trust also provides information for parents.

Year 11 (England & Wales) S4 (Scotland) Year 12 (N. Ireland)

Work hard at your GCSEs or National 5s and develop your extracurricular profile

Top priority this academic year is to work hard so that you get excellent results in your GCSEs or National 5s next summer, as these will act as a gateway to whatever comes afterwards. You should also spend time developing your extracurricular activities and pursuits, as US colleges are just as interested in your achievements outside the classroom as in your academic ability.

Also, it’s not too early to start thinking about doing some kind of work experience and/or community service next summer before you start your A Levels or Highers. This will stand you in good stead for both UK and US university applications, as it will show your dedication and initiative.

Change of release date of Harvard College admissions data

In previous years, Harvard College admissions data has been released twice a year: in mid-December (for Early Action applicants); and at the end of March (for Regular Action applicants). But from the 2024/25 application cycle onwards, admissions data for each class will be released just once, in October or November each year, following the University’s mandatory reporting to the U.S. Department of Education. Admissions data for the Class of 2029 (who begin their studies in August 2025), will be released in October/November 2025. The reasons for the change are laid out on the Harvard College Admissions and Financial aid website:

“Moving to a single, annual admissions data release each fall will provide the most complete view of the newly enrolled class, reducing confusion and offering a predictable timeline. Due to the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision, we are unable to access all information about Harvard’s applicants, admitted students, and enrolling students, while the application review process is still underway. Harvard will release admissions data, including final numbers of enrolled students consistent with our mandatory reporting to the U.S. Department of Education, as well as other information on applicants and admitted students. The new timeline for sharing admissions and matriculation data will provide clear and comprehensive information about the entire admissions process that can be compared on an annual basis. This approach will enable prospective students to have all the information they need to consider Harvard as a possible college choice – not simply partial information they may receive while the application cycle is still in progress.”

Prospective students who would like to see the data for the Class of 2028, who commenced their studies in August this year, can see it on the Admissions Statistics page of the Harvard College website. The information provided includes numerical data (number of applicants and admits); geographical breakdown; intended field of study, ethnicity; and a typical financial aid package for the 2022/23 academic year.

A Christmas Card

A very merry Christmas and happy New Year to all our readers from the Harvard UK Outreach team. See you in 2025!

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