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Harvey Mudd

Harvey Mudd College

Two required supplements, including the 100-word HSA class essay, that test whether you see STEM as a human enterprise.

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Required essays

2 supplements

Longest prompt

500 words

Shortest prompt

100 words

Optional add-on

2-page work sample

What Harvey Mudd rewards

Harvey Mudd asks first-year applicants for two required supplemental essays on top of the Common App personal statement. The first runs 500 words or less and asks how your background shapes the problems you want to solve and the people you want to solve them with. The second is a tight 100 words or less about your dream class in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts (HSA). There is also an optional 2-page work sample for math, science, or creative projects.

The core challenge is this: Mudd is a STEM powerhouse that refuses to be only a STEM school. Roughly a third of every student's coursework lives in HSA, and the admission readers want proof that you find engineering, physics, or CS meaningful because of what they do for people, not just because the puzzles are fun. One more thing to flag: after several test-optional years, Harvey Mudd has reinstated the SAT or ACT requirement for the 2025-26 cycle (Fall 2026 entry), with documented hardship exceptions, so plan to test.

01STEM with a human reason. Mudd's mission talks about understanding the impact of your work on society. The strongest essays connect a technical interest to a person, a community, or a consequence you actually care about. Show the why behind the what.
02Collaboration over the lone genius. Mudd is famous for its team-based, low-ego culture and honor code. Readers reward applicants who describe working with people, not just out-thinking them. The first prompt literally asks who you want to work with, so answer it.
03Genuine intellectual range. The HSA essay exists to find students who light up at history, ethics, music, or literature as readily as at code. Curiosity that crosses disciplines is a feature here, not a distraction from your STEM case.
04Specificity and play. Mudd's voice is warm and a little nerdy-fun. Concrete details, a real classroom, a named idea, a problem you tinkered with at your kitchen table read far better than polished abstractions about changing the world.

Essay prompts for 2026-2027

2 prompts for Harvey Mudd, each broken down with annotated examples.

Background, problems, people, impact (500 words)500 words or less

HMC's collaborative community is guided by our mission statement. Through an intentional interdisciplinary curriculum, our students seek to build a skillset adaptable to society's needs. How has your own background influenced the types of problems you want to solve, the people you want to work with, and the impact you hope your work can have?

Dream HSA class (100 words)100 words or less

Many students choose Harvey Mudd because they don't want to give up their interests in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts - or HSA, as we call it at HMC. Briefly (in 100 words or less) describe what you'd like to learn about in your dream HSA class. Your class can either be one chosen from existing classes at HMC, or you are welcome to create your own.

See all 2 prompts and get a read

Your chance

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Deadlines

Early Decision INovember 15
Early Decision IIJanuary 5
Regular DecisionJanuary 5

Cost

Sticker price$98,734
Avg net after aid$42,720
Meets full needYes
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How to get inAcceptance rate, the GPA and SAT profile, and what Harvey Mudd weighs most Supplemental essays2 prompts, each broken down with annotated examples Cost & financial aidAverage $42,720/yr after aid · net price by income + calculator InterviewDoes Harvey Mudd interview? Format, tips, and practice The Harvey Mudd Reader ProScore your draft against Harvey Mudd's exact prompts
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Harvey Mudd FAQ

What is Harvey Mudd's acceptance rate?

About 13% overall. Early Decision (I and II combined) admits at a markedly higher rate than Regular Decision, so applying early is a real signal of fit at Harvey Mudd. At Harvey Mudd, a strong application essay and a well-balanced school list matter alongside your grades and test scores.

What supplemental essays does Harvey Mudd require?

Harvey Mudd requires 2 supplemental essays on its application. On EssayLens each prompt is broken down with annotated examples, and you can get a free admissions-style read of your draft against the exact prompt.

How much does Harvey Mudd cost?

Harvey Mudd's published sticker price is about $98,734 per year, but the average family pays $42,720 after financial aid. Your net price depends on your family income; use the calculator to estimate yours.

Does Harvey Mudd require SAT or ACT scores?

Harvey Mudd is test-optional: you can apply without SAT or ACT scores, and strong scores are just one factor among many when you do submit them.

When are Harvey Mudd's application deadlines?

Harvey Mudd's application deadlines are Early Decision I November 15; Early Decision II January 5; Regular Decision January 5. Add Harvey Mudd to your plan on EssayLens to track its deadlines automatically.

Campus photo via Wikipedia.

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