Harvard accepts 4.9% of applicants for class of 2024

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Harvard University has accepted 1,980 students out of more than 40,000 applicants for next fall's undergraduate freshman class.

The school announced Thursday that it accepted students from every U.S. state and 92 nations. Dean of Admissions William Fitzsimmons said the class will bring “extraordinary talents, ideas, backgrounds, and life experiences.”

Harvard's admission rate of 4.92% makes it one of the most selective in the nation. Officials said the school fielded 40,248 applications this year, down from more than 43,000 last year. Last year's 4.5% admission rate was the lowest in the Ivy League school's history.

Nearly 30% of accepted students identified as black or Latino, and nearly a quarter identified as Asian American. Women account for about 52% of accepted students.

About 20% qualified for federal Pell grants for low-income students. Harvard covers all tuition and fees for students from families with annual incomes lower than $65,000.

Harvard typically invites accepted students to visit campus in April, but it's offering a virtual alternative this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials say prospective students will be able to connect online with Harvard students, faculty and administrators. Accepted students will have until May 1 to decide if they will enroll.