What it takes to get into Harvey Mudd College
The numbers admitted students had, and the parts of an application Harvey Mudd Collegereports it weighs. Both come from the college’s own reporting.
Acceptance rate
12.7%
SAT middle 50%
1500–1570
median 1520
ACT middle 50%
34–36
median 35
Testing
optional
43% submitted an SAT
Top 10% of class
92%
of admitted students
Reported by the college
What Harvey Mudd College weighs
Requirements tell you what to submit. This tells you what happens to it once you do, which is the more useful of the two and the part almost nobody looks up.
Very important
The parts of an application this school weighs most heavily.
- Grades
- Course rigor
- Recommendations
Important
Weighed, though below the factors above.
- Essay
- Extracurriculars
- Character and personal qualities
Considered
Looked at, but not decisive on its own.
- Class rank
- Test scores
- Talent or ability
- Interview
- First-generation status
- State residency
- Where you live
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
Not considered
Reported as playing no part in the decision.
- Demonstrated interest
- Legacy
- Religious affiliation
From Harvey Mudd College’s Common Data Set, 2024, section C7, where colleges report how heavily they weigh each part of an application.
Where you stand
Run your own numbers
These are the numbers admitted students had. The next question is where yours land inside them, and what to do about the gap.
Common questions
Harvey Mudd College requirements, answered
What matters most for Harvey Mudd College admissions?
Harvey Mudd College reports that it treats grades, course rigor, recommendations as very important. Those are where the work pays off, and the college is the source, not a guess.
What does Harvey Mudd College not consider?
Harvey Mudd College reports that demonstrated interest, legacy, religious affiliation play no part in its decision. This is worth knowing because effort spent on any of them does not count here, whatever it does elsewhere.
Does Harvey Mudd College require the SAT or ACT?
No, Harvey Mudd College is test-optional. About 43% of the enrolled class submitted an SAT, so applying without one is common here.
What Spike does with this
Build toward what Harvey Mudd College actually reads.
Spike takes the factors a college weighs and works them into your courses, testing, essays, and activities over time.
One email when Spike opens. No card, no account. About the waitlist.