Harvard College, the undergraduate school of Harvard University, has accepted three Malaysians for the class of 2027.
The three students are Ho Shu Xin from Ipoh, Pua E Rick, and Sydny Lum from Kuala Lumpur.
Only 3.4% were accepted to attend Harvard College out of 56,937 applicants.
Out of 56,937 applicants from across 102 countries, only 1,942 students were admitted, and the three Malaysians were among the 14.5% of international students selected.
Ho Shu Xin and Pua E Rick are both A-Levels students at Kolej Yayasan UEM, while Sydny Lum attends Garden International School (GIS).
They have all been accepted to pursue their passions at Harvard College, with Ho majoring in Educational Psychology, Pua focusing on Biological Sciences, and Lum planning to major in Economics.
Harvard College increases financial aid for low-income families
In Malaysia, there are currently fewer than 10 alumni of Harvard College.
Nadiah Wan, an alumni interviewer for Harvard College and Harvard Club of Malaysia president, said that the institution’s admissions policy is “need-blind, and financial aid is 100% need-based”.
This means that students are admitted solely based on their ability and character, regardless of socio-economic background and financial ability to pay. If a student is admitted, Harvard is committed to ensuring that they can afford to attend.
Harvard College is making higher education more accessible for low- and middle-income families for the second year in a row.
Families earning less than US$85,000 (approximately RM375,000) per year can now attend Harvard College for free, thanks to the expansion of the college’s financial aid policy.
This is a significant increase from the previous threshold of US$75,000, and nearly 25% of Harvard College students come from families earning below this new threshold.
Since the launch of the Harvard Financial Aid Initiative in 2005, the university has awarded over US$3 billion in support, with the annual aid budget growing by over 200%. In 2023, the college’s aid budget stands at US$246 million, up from the initial US$80 million.
Along with expanding financial aid, the college has waived standardized testing requirements for the third year in a row.
Congratulations to Ho Shu Xin, Pua E Rick, and Sydny Lum for this incredible achievement!
