Harvard University has seen a decrease in undergraduate applications for the class of 2028 following a turbulent period marred by antisemitism and plagiarism scandals. The prestigious Ivy League school received 54,008 applications, a 5% decrease from the previous year, marking the lowest number of applications since 2020. However, Harvard emphasized that this was the fourth consecutive year of receiving over 50,000 applications, highlighting the diverse talents and experiences of the incoming students.
The admission rate for the class of 2028 stood at 3.58%, higher than last year’s rate of 3.41%. The application numbers reflect the challenges Harvard faced in the fall, including a letter signed by student groups linking Israel to the Hamas attacks and a controversial congressional testimony about campus antisemitism by former president Claudine Gay. Gay later resigned after facing plagiarism claims.
Additionally, this admissions cycle is the first since the US Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action in higher education, prohibiting colleges from considering race as a factor in admissions. Despite the decrease in applications, Harvard remains optimistic about the incoming class’s potential. The university continues to attract top talents from the US and around the world, ensuring a bright future for the institution.
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