How to apply for engineering at Harvard: apply to Harvard College and declare in sophomore year, S.B. in electrical or mechanical engineering, Engineering Sciences A.B. or S.B., chemistry and physics expected, admission routes and preparation for U.S. applicants, international applicants (including applicants from China) and transfers

Harvard University is in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Engineering is taught by the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), but all undergraduates belong to Harvard College. This guide covers fall 2027 entry from Harvard’s website, for U.S. applicants, international applicants, applicants from China and transfer students.

1. Engineering concentrations and degrees

• Two degrees:
  • A.B.: 14–16 courses in engineering concentrations depending on math placement, leaving room for interests outside engineering;
  • S.B.: at least 20 courses with more technical depth, a junior-year team design course (usually ES 96) and a year-long senior capstone (ES 100hf).
• Concentrations (SEAS list):
  • Electrical Engineering (S.B., 20 courses); Mechanical Engineering (S.B., 20 courses);
  • Engineering Sciences (A.B. or S.B.): A.B. tracks in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, and Mechanical and Materials Science and Engineering; S.B. tracks typically in Bioengineering or Environmental Science and Engineering, plus a cross-disciplinary track (3.5 GPA, no earlier than the end of sophomore year);
  • Biomedical Engineering (A.B., 14 courses); Environmental Science and Engineering (A.B.); Applied Mathematics (A.B.); Computer Science (A.B., covered in a separate guide).
• ABET: the Mechanical Engineering ABET page says the Mechanical Engineering S.B. is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Accreditation of other S.B. programs is not stated on the pages read for this guide.
• SEAS says engineering and applied sciences concentrators are about 25% of Harvard College concentrators.

2. Admission: Harvard College first, concentration in sophomore year

• Applying: SEAS says all prospective undergraduates, including those interested in engineering, apply directly to Harvard College; its FAQ notes engineering students are not enrolled in a separate school.
• Declaring: the SEAS admissions page says you need not declare until sophomore year; the Mechanical Engineering page says you declare in sophomore fall. You file a Plan of Study approved by your concentration advisor.
• Thresholds: the pages read do not mention a GPA threshold or cap for engineering concentrations.

3. High school preparation

• Admissions guidance for anyone interested in the physical, life and engineering sciences (quoted in the SEAS FAQ): it is essential to study chemistry and physics in secondary school; if possible take four years of science — a year each of chemistry, physics and biology plus a year of advanced work in one of them. Psychology, astronomy, geology and anthropology are not substitutes.
• Math: the number of concentration courses depends on math placement; the pages read do not state a high school math requirement. See the SEAS Engineering Guidebook.
• Which AP or IB scores count toward engineering courses is not stated on the pages read.

4. Rounds, deadlines and materials

• Restrictive Early Action: November 1, decisions mid-December, non-binding. REA test scores are needed by the end of November.
• Regular Decision: January 1, decisions by the end of March.
• Materials: Common Application (opens August 1), Harvard’s five short answers (150 words each), school report and transcript, two teacher recommendations from different subjects, and a $95 fee (waivers available).
• Testing: the SAT or ACT is required; only when they are not accessible can AP, IB (actual or predicted), GCSE/A-Level (actual or predicted) or national leaving exam results meet the requirement.
• The pages read mention no extra materials for engineering applicants.

5. U.S. applicants

• No in-state rate: Harvard is private; 2026-27 tuition is $62,226 for all students.
• Need-blind admission and 100% need-based aid: no merit awards; Harvard meets every student’s demonstrated need.
• Family income: under $100,000, the expected parent contribution is zero; up to $200,000, aid covers at least full tuition; above $200,000, aid depends on circumstances.

6. International applicants

• Same process: admission and aid processes are identical for all applicants, with no quotas by country; international students are eligible for exactly the same aid, and admission is need-blind for them too.
• English: TOEFL, IELTS and similar tests are not required for first-year or transfer applicants, though you may submit them; none can replace the SAT/ACT.
• Interviews: alumni interviews are offered where possible but not guaranteed; not having one does not hurt.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: Harvard has no specific gaokao policy. Take the SAT or ACT if you can; national leaving exams are a substitute only when those tests are inaccessible.
• Translations: you cannot translate your own transcripts or recommendations; a school English teacher can.
• Science: prepare as in section 3, with both chemistry and physics; how Chinese curricula map to this is not published.

8. Transfer students

• Eligibility: at least one full academic year, and no more than two, of full-time, in-person liberal arts study at one institution; bachelor’s degree holders cannot apply.
• Deadline: March 1 for all application and aid materials; decisions by June.
• Credit: evaluated course by course by the Registrar after admission; exam credit such as AP/IB and foundation-year courses are not accepted; up to 16 semester courses may transfer.
• Engineering prerequisites for transfer applicants are not stated on the pages read.

9. Costs

• 2026-27 (USD): tuition $62,226, fees $6,216, housing $14,250, food $8,942, billed total $91,634; with personal, books and travel, $95,134–$100,134. Health insurance of $4,954 applies if you lack family coverage. 2027-28 figures are not yet published.
• The pages read list no separate engineering tuition.

Checklist

U.S. applicants:

• Apply to Harvard College via the Common Application by November 1 (REA) or January 1 (RD); you can describe your engineering interest
• Take the SAT or ACT; take chemistry and physics in high school
• Submit aid materials alongside your application if you need aid

International applicants (including applicants from China):

• Same deadlines and materials; the SAT or ACT is required and English tests are optional
• Do not translate your own documents; aid and need-blind admission are the same as for U.S. students

Transfer students:

• Apply after one to two years of study; March 1 deadline; up to 16 semester courses transfer

Sources: Harvard University, SEAS prospective undergraduates; SEAS concentrations; Engineering Sciences; SEAS undergraduate FAQ; Mechanical Engineering bachelor's; Mechanical Engineering ABET information; Mechanical Engineering requirements; Harvard College first-year applicants; Application requirements; International applicants; Transfer applicants; How aid works. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures); check Harvard’s website for updates.