Harvard Admissions Course Rigor Evaluator
Assess Your Academic Path for Harvard
Harvard doesn't prefer IB or AP - they want to see how well you challenged yourself within your school's context. This tool helps you evaluate your course selection against Harvard's priorities.
When students ask if Harvard likes IB or AP, they’re really asking: Which program gives me the best shot at getting in? The answer isn’t simple, and it’s not about picking one over the other. Harvard doesn’t have a preference. Not because they’re being vague - but because they don’t need to be.
Harvard Doesn’t Play Favorites
Harvard’s admissions office has said this clearly in multiple public statements: they evaluate students based on what opportunities they’ve had, not which curriculum they followed. An IB diploma? Great. Four APs with 5s? Also great. A mix of both? Perfectly fine. What matters isn’t the label on your transcript - it’s how you used the resources available to you.Let’s say you’re in a school that only offers AP courses. You take seven of them, including AP Calculus BC, AP Physics C, and AP Literature. You earn straight As and score 5s on every exam. Harvard will see that as a sign you challenged yourself.
Now imagine you’re at a school that only offers IB. You complete the full diploma with a 42/45 score, write a 4,000-word extended essay on climate policy, and do 150 hours of CAS activities. Harvard will see that as a sign you challenged yourself.
They’re not comparing you to someone else’s curriculum. They’re comparing you to your own context.
What Harvard Actually Looks For
The real question isn’t IB or AP - it’s this: Did you push yourself academically? Harvard doesn’t care if you took 10 APs if you coasted through them. They don’t care if you got an IB diploma if you skipped your TOK class and didn’t write your extended essay.They want to see:
- Course rigor - not just quantity, but difficulty
- Consistent performance - grades that show you can handle tough material
- Depth in subjects you care about - if you love biology, did you take every science course available?
- Intellectual curiosity - did you go beyond the syllabus?
There’s no magic number. No secret formula. Harvard doesn’t say, “We need at least three APs or one full IB diploma.” They look at your entire academic story.
IB and AP: How They’re Different (And Why It Matters)
Understanding the difference between IB and AP helps you make better choices - not because Harvard prefers one, but because you should choose the path that fits your strengths.IB (International Baccalaureate) is a full diploma program. You take six subjects - three at higher level, three at standard level - plus three core requirements: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). It’s designed to be holistic. You’re not just learning facts; you’re learning how to think, research, and reflect.
AP (Advanced Placement) is modular. You pick individual courses - usually in subjects you’re strong in or passionate about. Each course ends with a standardized exam. There’s no requirement to take a certain number. You can take one or ten.
Here’s what that means in practice:
- If you thrive in structured, long-term projects - IB’s EE and CAS might suit you.
- If you want to focus intensely on STEM or specific subjects - AP lets you stack Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, and Computer Science without the broader requirements.
- If your school doesn’t offer IB - don’t panic. Harvard won’t penalize you.
- If your school doesn’t offer AP - and you’re taking IB - same thing. No penalty.
What Top Applicants Actually Do
Looking at admitted students over the last five years, there’s no pattern of dominance between IB and AP. About 40% of incoming freshmen came from schools offering IB. Another 45% came from schools offering AP. The rest had a mix, or neither - and still got in.What they all had in common:
- They took the most challenging courses their school offered.
- They didn’t just chase high scores - they pursued depth.
- They showed intellectual energy outside the classroom - research, internships, independent projects.
One student from a rural Texas school took every AP available - 12 in total. She got 5s on all of them. She also started a nonprofit to tutor kids in math. Harvard accepted her.
Another student from Berlin completed the full IB diploma. She scored 44/45. She spent her CAS hours building a solar-powered water filtration system for a village in Kenya. Harvard accepted her too.
It’s not about the program. It’s about the person behind it.
What You Should Do
If you’re wondering whether to switch from AP to IB - don’t. If you’re thinking you need more APs to impress Harvard - don’t. Instead:- Take the hardest courses your school offers - without burning out.
- Focus on subjects you’re genuinely interested in - not just the ones that look good on a resume.
- Get strong grades. Harvard looks at your GPA and class rank. A B+ in an AP Physics class is better than an A in a regular class.
- Go beyond the curriculum. Read books, start a project, write a blog, volunteer, intern.
Don’t try to game the system. Harvard has seen every trick. They’re not looking for students who check boxes. They’re looking for students who ask better questions.
Myths About IB and AP at Harvard
There are a few persistent myths that cause unnecessary stress:- Myth: IB is harder, so Harvard prefers it. Truth: Harvard doesn’t rank curricula by difficulty. They care about how you performed in yours.
- Myth: You need 7+ APs to get in. Truth: The average admitted student took 4-6 APs or equivalent. Some took 10. Some took 2. It varies.
- Myth: IB gives you an edge because of the extended essay. Truth: The essay matters if it’s good - but so does a science fair project, a research paper, or a self-published novel.
Stop comparing your path to someone else’s. You’re not competing against IB students or AP students. You’re competing against yourself - and your ability to grow.
Final Thought: It’s Not About the Program. It’s About the Person.
Harvard doesn’t like IB or AP. They like students who are curious, persistent, and thoughtful. Whether you’re in Tokyo, Toronto, or Tallahassee - if you’ve pushed yourself, shown initiative, and stayed true to your interests, you’re already on the right path.Don’t choose IB because you think it’s what Harvard wants. Don’t choose AP because you heard it’s easier. Choose the path that lets you learn deeply, think critically, and become the kind of person you want to be.
That’s what Harvard’s really looking for.
Do I need to take both IB and AP to get into Harvard?
No. Harvard doesn’t expect or require students to take both. Most applicants stick to one system - IB or AP - depending on what their school offers. Taking both is rare and not necessary. What matters is how well you did in the program you chose.
Is a 42 in IB good enough for Harvard?
Yes. A 42/45 IB score is excellent and well within the range of admitted students. Harvard doesn’t have a minimum score, but the average IB score among admitted students is around 40-43. More important than the number is the strength of your subject choices and how you performed in them.
Can I get into Harvard with only APs and no IB?
Absolutely. The majority of admitted students come from schools that offer AP, not IB. Taking four to six APs with top scores (5s) and strong grades is more than enough. Harvard evaluates AP students based on course rigor, not the number of exams taken.
Does Harvard care about AP exam scores?
Yes - but not as a standalone metric. Your AP scores matter as evidence of mastery in a subject. A 5 in AP Calculus BC shows you’re ready for college-level math. But Harvard looks at your grades, course load, and overall academic context. One high score won’t make or break your application.
What if my school doesn’t offer IB or AP?
Harvard understands not every school offers advanced programs. If your school doesn’t have IB or AP, they’ll look at how you challenged yourself within your context - honors courses, college classes online, independent study, research, or online courses from platforms like edX or Coursera. They care about your initiative, not your school’s offerings.