How to Get Into Howard University - Admission Requirements

Student in a park excited about getting into Howard University
Updated:
March 11, 2024
7 min read
Contents

”Mary

Reviewed by:

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 11/16/23

Is Howard University on your list of top colleges? Read on to learn more about how to increase your admission chances or be convinced to add it if it isn’t!

Howard University was founded in Washington, DC, in 1867. It is a private research university comprising 14 schools and colleges. With a particular commitment to providing opportunities for Black students, this school is known as a historically Black university that aims to solve problems that impact the African Diaspora.

If you’re interested in contributing to Howard’s community, this guide will go into further depth about how to get into the school, its acceptance rate, application requirements, and more!

Howard University Acceptance Rate: 51.9%

Howard University’s acceptance rate is 51.9%. For context, 19537 applied to Howard University, 10140 were admitted, and 2493 enrolled. While it accepts more students into its programs than top-ranking schools, it still reviews applicants using rigorous standards. 

Here is a detailed table of Howard University’s acceptance rate for the past few years. 

Year Number of Applicants Number of Accepted Students Acceptance
Rate
2023 19,537 10,140 51.9%
2022 29,396 10,362 35.2%
2021 24,325 9,398 38.6%
2020 21,006 7,578 36.0%

Source: Howard University

As you can see, Howard University increased its admission rate by approximately 16 percent in the past year, making it easier to get accepted. 

Howard University Early Decision Acceptance Rate: 47.2% 

The early decision acceptance rate for Howard University is 47.2%. This early decision acceptance rate comes from their 358 applications and 169 admissions.

Here is a detailed table of Howard University’s early decision acceptance rate for the past few years. 

Year Number of Applicants Number of Accepted Students Early Decision Acceptance Rate
2023 358 169 47.2%
2022 441 218 49.4%
2021 368 138 37.5%

If Howard University is your choice, it’s worth applying for an early decision because of its high acceptance rate! 

How Hard Is It to Get Into Howard University? 

With an acceptance rate of 51.9%, this school is moderately selective. Howard University has accepted 10,140 from an application pool of 19,537, which means it accepts more students into its programs than top-ranking schools. 

If you want to see what your chances are to get into Howard University, here is a helpful College Admission Chances Calculator to try out!

Take our interactive quiz below to find out how likely you are to get into Howard.

Howard University Admissions Statistics

Considering our previous statement about Howard’s high standards, you may want to know how you compare to successful applicants. Here are the GPA and SAT/ACT scores previously admitted applicants had:

Howard University Average GPA: 3.66

Howard University’s average GPA for the most recent class was 3.66. To be considered a competitive applicant, you should maintain a GPA of 3.6-4.0

If your GPA doesn’t quite match this median, don’t lose all hope of getting into Howard! While your lower GPA may call your academic excellence into question, you can convince the admissions committee of your potential through the other parts of your application.

Howard University Average SAT Score: 1184

The average SAT score of recently admitted Howard University applicants is 1184. Those who took the SAT and scored in the 50th percentile earned a score of 1170. 

Howard University has adopted a test-optional policy for its recent admission cycle and will consider applying it to future cycles. Check the school’s website before applying to see if they require the test!

Howard University Average ACT Score: 24

The average ACT score of recently admitted Howard University applicants is 24. Those in the 50th percentile received a score of 23. 

Recently, Howard University has adopted a test-optional policy for its admission application. Before applying to this school, check their website to see if they require the test. 

What Is Howard University Looking For In Applicants?

Howard University evaluates applications by examining the rigor of an applicant’s coursework, academic GPA, application essay, and letters of recommendation.

Here’s a detailed table that shows what Howard University values in its application process. 

Academic Very Important Important Considered Not considered
Rigor of secondary school record X
Class Rank X
Academic GPA X
Standardized Test Scores X
Application Essay X
Recommendation X

Non-Academic Very Important Important Considered Not considered
Interview X
Extracurricular Activities X
Talent/Ability X
Character/Personal Qualities X
First Generation X
Alumni Relation X
Religious Affiliation/
Commitment
X
Racial/Ethnic Status X
Volunteer Work X
Work Experience X
Level of Applicant’s Interest X

Now that you have a better idea of what Howard University looks for, ensure you focus on them during the application process. 

Howard University Admissions Requirements

Unlock the Secrets to Howard Admissions: Your Comprehensive 10+ Page Guide!
Get Your Free Guide

To get into Howard University, you should aim for a minimum GPA of 3.66 and SAT/ACT scores of 1190 and 24, respectively. You can also give your application a boost by taking advanced courses (IB or AP) and writing a compelling supplemental essay!

Below is a list of the required materials for admission into UW

Ensure you have all required materials ready before the application deadline to avoid unforeseen obstacles! 

Howard University

Howard University Application Deadlines

Applicants will submit their application through the Common App. As you focus on gathering your application materials and submitting the best application possible, it can be easy to lose track of deadlines! To avoid this, here is a list of the key dates to mark on your calendar:

Application Step Deadline
Early Decision Application Deadline Early November
Early Action Application Deadline Early November
Application Deadline Early February
Document Deadline Mid-February
Notification Date Early April

Source: Howard University

The document deadline refers to the final date you can submit your test scores, letters of recommendation, and academic records.

Howard University Regular Decision Deadline

Howard University’s regular decision deadline is February 1st. Decisions will be sent out in early April. Ensure you don’t miss the deadline when applying to this school! 

Howard University Early Action Deadline 

The early action deadline for Howard University is November 1st. Applicants who apply by this date will receive an admissions decision by late January.

Early action applications are non-binding, meaning students are not required to attend Howard if accepted. High-achieving students can use an early action application to receive notification of a decision earlier. 

Howard University Early Decision Deadline 

The early decision deadline for Howard University is November 1st. Applicants who apply by this date will receive an admissions decision by late January.

Early decision applications are binding. It is designed for students whose first choice is Howard University. While early decision students may apply to other schools using regular decision applications, they must withdraw these applications if granted admission to Howard.

Howard University Essay Prompts

Knowing how to write well is a large part of learning to get into Howard University. There are several personal statement prompts you’ll have the option to answer on your application. You’ll be required to choose one essay topic to write about for your Common App.

Howard also has an optional essay prompt for students to consider:

“Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. You may express why this activity is important to you, lessons learned from said activity, or any related details that give us more information on your passions, goals and/or experiences.”

While the Howard essay is not required for admission, you are implored to answer it. It will shed more light on your experiences and interests outside the classroom!

Howard University Interview

Howard University doesn’t offer interviews for its undergraduate programs. However, they offer it for theater and dance program applicants. Admission decisions are primarily based on a holistic review of the application.

FAQs

If you have any remaining inquiries, here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about this school.

1. Should I Apply to Howard?

Howard can offer you an exceptional education. It is known for its academic excellence and has produced thousands of influential alumni. If you have a GPA in the competitive range of previous successful applicants or can make up for a lower GPA with the rest of your application, you should apply to Howard!

2. What GPA Do You Need to Get Into Howard?

It’s suggested that students have a GPA of 3.66 to be considered competitive candidates.

3. Can I Get Into Howard With a 3.3 GPA?

While students have gotten into Howard with a 3.3 GPA, you will need to put extra effort into the other parts of your application to convince the committee of your candidacy.

4. Can I Get Into Howard With a 3.0 GPA?

It will be difficult to get into Howard with a 3.0 GPA as it is considerably lower than the median GPA of past admitted students.

5. What Is the Minimum GPA Requirement for Howard University?

Howard University doesn’t have a minimum GPA requirement. However, you should aim to achieve a GPA similar to their average for admitted applicants, which would be a 3.66.

6. How Much Is Tuition at Howard University?

Tuition and fees cost $33,344 a year at Howard University. 

Final Thoughts

While many pieces make up your Howard application, ensuring each is completed with the utmost care and effort will give you the best chance of getting into this renowned university! Remember to demonstrate Howard’s core values throughout your application and highlight what makes you unique!

Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Thanks ! You're now subscribed!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Get A Free Consultation

Speak to a college admissions expert about how we can help you get into your dream school
Schedule a Call

You May Also Like

Before you go, here are a few facts about us!
The Quad Factor: Working with us can increase your chances of admission by 11x!

The Best of the Best: Our team comprises of only 99th percentile tutors and admissions counselors from top-ranking universities, meaning you work with only the most experienced, talented experts.

The Free Consultation: Our experts would love to get to know you, your background, goals, and needs. From there, they match you with a best-fit consultant who will create a detailed project plan and application strategy focused on your success.