Who was the youngest person admitted to Harvard University?

The youngest person admitted to Harvard University was the child prodigy William James Sidis, who enrolled at age 11 in 1909, though he had been considered too young at age 9. Despite his unparalleled intellect, delivering lectures on advanced math, Sidis struggled with the social pressures and public attention, eventually withdrawing from academia for a private life.

Who is the youngest person to get accepted into Harvard?

Sidis was admitted in September 1909 at age 11, becoming the youngest person to enroll at Harvard University. The transition to university life was challenging for the young prodigy. Despite his intellectual abilities, Sidis struggled with the social aspects of university life.

Who was the youngest person in Harvard?

The youngest person to enroll at Harvard is widely considered to be William James Sidis, who started at age 11 in 1909, though he was initially denied admission at age 9 for being too young. He later graduated at 16, becoming the youngest graduate at the time, and while Harvard generally discourages very young students, there have been other notable young attendees and graduates, including Eugenie Carys de Silva, who graduated with a Master's at 16. 

What is the youngest age to go to Harvard?

Is there an age requirement for applying to Harvard? There is not an age requirement for applying to Harvard, though applicants are expected to have some secondary school experience.

Who graduated from Harvard at 16?

BOSTON, July 17 - William James Sidis, boy prodigy of thirty five years ago, who was graduat ed from Harvard at the age of 16, died today in a hospital. His age was 46. The one-time "boy wonder” was found seriously ill and in a coma Thursday night in his room in a Brookline boarding house, appar ently destitute.

Ivy League coach reveals why HARVARD didn't accept me

Can a 2.5 GPA go to Harvard?

It's extremely unlikely, but theoretically possible, to get into Harvard with a 2.5 GPA, as they use holistic admissions, but it would require extraordinary achievements (like founding a major company, Nobel Prize, extreme athletic recruitment, or immense donations) or documented hardship to explain the low grades, as most admitted students have GPAs near 4.0. While a handful of students with GPAs in the 2.0-2.9 range are admitted, these are rare exceptions, often balanced by exceptional test scores or other unique factors, with many examples showing that even strong extracurriculars don't guarantee admission with low grades. 

Did any billionaires go to Harvard?

The average billionaire Harvard alumni boasts a net worth of $9.65 billion—with its richest former student, Mark Zuckerberg, leading with $236 billion in the bank.

Is Harvard free if you make under 200k?

Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, Harvard offers free tuition for families with incomes up to $200,000, with additional aid for fees, room, and board, and completely free attendance (including living costs) for families earning under $100,000, plus special grants, making it much more accessible for middle-income families. These income thresholds assume typical family assets, and aid is determined individually for families above $200k. 

Can I get into Harvard at 14?

Harvard College: This is the undergraduate program that is open to students aged 16 and up (or 14 if you're taking a post-high school program).

Who went to Harvard at 13?

Eugenie Carys de Silva is an academic known for being the youngest person to ever graduate from Harvard University.

Who is the most famous student at Harvard?

While "most famous" is subjective, Barack Obama, as the 44th U.S. President, is often cited as the most famous Harvard graduate, alongside other highly recognizable names like tech giants Bill Gates (dropout) and Mark Zuckerberg (dropout), actress Natalie Portman, and former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, all representing diverse fields of influence. 

Who is the youngest PhD ever?

The youngest person to earn a PhD is generally recognized as Karl Witte, a German prodigy who received his doctorate at age 13 in 1814, though modern PhD standards differ; more recent record-holders include Mike Wimmer, who earned a US PhD at 16, and Dorothy Jean Tillman, who earned hers at 17, making them among the youngest in modern times, showcasing exceptional academic acceleration.
 

Who was the smartest child prodigy?

William James Sidis: The Forgotten Genius William James Sidis is often called the “smartest person in the world,” with an estimated IQ between 250 and 300. He read newspapers at 18 months old, spoke 25 languages, gave lectures at Harvard at age 12, and even created his own language.

Who is the youngest person to graduate from Harvard Law School?

When he earned his Juris Doctor in 2004 at age 19, Camara became the youngest graduate of Harvard Law School. He played golf, racquetball, soccer, and tennis, and continued to participate in ballroom dance competitions, earning multiple awards for the Harvard-Radcliffe Ballroom Dancing Team.

Can you get a minor at Harvard?

You also have the opportunity to choose a secondary concentration as a minor or pursue a special concentration where you can design your own course of study. With more than 3,700 courses in 50 undergraduate fields of study, you'll have plenty of chances to find your passion.

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

Will Harvard accept a 2.5 GPA?

It's extremely unlikely, but theoretically possible, to get into Harvard with a 2.5 GPA, as they use holistic admissions, but it would require extraordinary achievements (like founding a major company, Nobel Prize, extreme athletic recruitment, or immense donations) or documented hardship to explain the low grades, as most admitted students have GPAs near 4.0. While a handful of students with GPAs in the 2.0-2.9 range are admitted, these are rare exceptions, often balanced by exceptional test scores or other unique factors, with many examples showing that even strong extracurriculars don't guarantee admission with low grades. 

Can I go to Harvard even if I'm poor?

We've created a financial aid program to help ensure that admitted students can afford their Harvard education. Our financial aid officers will work closely with your family to understand your financial situation, then create a comprehensive financial aid package that accounts for the full cost of attendance.

What is the #1 most expensive college in the US?

The #1 most expensive college in the U.S. varies slightly by report and year, but Columbia University, University of Southern California (USC), and Vassar College frequently top the lists for 2024-2025, with total costs (tuition, fees, room, board) exceeding $90,000-$97,000 annually, though aid significantly reduces actual costs for many students at these institutions.
 

How much is 1 year at Harvard?

Harvard's yearly tuition varies by school, but for Harvard College (undergraduate) in 2025-26, tuition is around $59,320, with total billed costs (including housing/food) reaching about $87,000; graduate programs like the Medical School and Business School have higher sticker prices, while other schools like the Extension School offer varied costs, but generous aid makes it affordable for many, notes NPR and Harvard College. 

Will Harvard be free in 2025?

Beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year, Harvard College will be free for students from families with annual incomes of $100,000 or less and will provide free tuition plus additional aid to students from families with annual incomes of $200,000 or less.

Which billionaire dropped out of Harvard?

Bill Gates didn't stay at Harvard University for long — dropping out after three semesters to found Microsoft in 1975 — but he was there long enough to make an impression.

Who is the most famous person that went to Harvard?

While fame is subjective, Barack Obama is often cited as the most famous person to attend Harvard, as the 44th U.S. President and first Black President of the Harvard Law Review; however, Mark Zuckerberg, Natalie Portman, Bill Gates (dropout), and numerous other presidents like JFK, George W. Bush, and influential figures like T.S. Eliot and Ratan Tata are also among Harvard's most globally recognized alumni.
 

Who is on the Harvard Z list?

The Harvard Z-List consists of a small number of applicants admitted to Harvard but deferred for a year, often including children of donors or legacy students who didn't quite meet the standard academic bar but have strong connections, making them "data ghosts" whose stats aren't counted in regular freshman profiles. These students, who are predominantly white and affluent, typically take a gap year before joining the subsequent class, allowing Harvard to maintain donor goodwill while keeping overall selectivity high.