English Language and Literature at Harvard University
In 2023, 40 of the 1,912 students who finished a bachelor's degree at Harvard University did so in english language and literature: 2.1% of the class and the 11th most common major on campus. Across all 2,440 reporting institutions the field accounts for 1.55% of bachelor's degrees; at Harvard University it is 1.4x that, more concentrated. 78% of those graduates were women.
Is english language and literature competitive at Harvard University?
Colleges report one admission rate for the whole school; here is the bar you are actually measured against, and how the model treats this major.
Harvard University admitted 1,965 of 56,937 applicants for fall 2023 (4%), and the middle 50% of admitted students scored 1510 to 1580 on the SAT. Colleges report admissions at the school level, not by major, so there is no published acceptance rate for english language and literature at Harvard University. CollegeCalcAI's published model treats "English / Humanities" as slightly less competitive than the school-wide rate (multiplier 1.05), a small lift for applicants declaring this field.
How to apply to Harvard University for english language and literature
What readers look for from applicants who declare this field, at any selectivity.
- The most rigorous English and history courses, with top grades
- Writing beyond the classroom: publication, competitions, a sustained project
- The essay is read as a work sample here
- Run your odds with the major set: your estimate at Harvard University for english language and literature →
Where else to study english language and literature
Other colleges in Massachusetts and at a similar selectivity that award bachelor's degrees in this field.
Every college ranked by english language and literature graduates: colleges that graduate the most english language and literature majors → · English Language and Literature colleges in Massachusetts →
More majors at Harvard University
The other fields Harvard University graduates the most students in, 2023.
Questions about english language and literature at Harvard University
How many students major in english language and literature at Harvard University?
40 students earned a bachelor's degree in english language and literature at Harvard University in 2023, 2.1% of that year's 1,912 graduates (IPEDS completions, first majors).
Is english language and literature competitive at Harvard University?
Harvard University admitted 1,965 of 56,937 applicants for fall 2023 (4%), and the middle 50% of admitted students scored 1510 to 1580 on the SAT. Colleges report admissions at the school level, not by major, so there is no published acceptance rate for english language and literature at Harvard University. CollegeCalcAI's published model treats "English / Humanities" as slightly less competitive than the school-wide rate (multiplier 1.05), a small lift for applicants declaring this field.
What is the acceptance rate for english language and literature at Harvard University?
There is no official major-level acceptance rate; Harvard University reports one school-wide figure, 4%. Some programs (direct-admit nursing, engineering and business schools) select separately and can be more selective than the school overall. CollegeCalcAI's calculator applies its published per-major adjustment and shows your estimate for this school with the major set.
Is Harvard University known for english language and literature?
By output, english language and literature is the 11th most common field at Harvard University and more concentrated there than at the average U.S. college (2.1% of graduates versus 1.55% nationally).
Source: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS 2023 Completions (bachelor's degrees, first majors, CIP 2-digit series). Admissions counts: IPEDS 2023. Built 2026-09-19. Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are not predictions or guarantees.