3% admission fee? Why Harvard’s new introductory math course is under fire

Harvard University is introducing a new introductory math course, Math MA5, to handle gaps in foundational algebra abilities amongst its college students, in accordance with The Harvard Crimson. The pilot program, introduced on March 19, 2025, through X by tech investor Elad Gil, has ignited discussions concerning the selectivity and outcomes of Harvard’s extremely aggressive 3% acceptance fee.

A New Approach to Foundational Math

Math MA5 will run alongside the present Math MA and MB programs however will characteristic an expanded five-day schedule. Harvard’s Director of Introductory Math, Brendan A. Kelly, described the course as providing “a variety of different activities” on Tuesdays and Thursdays to help college students recognized by way of a pre-term talent test. The curriculum will concentrate on algebra, geometry, and quantitative reasoning—important abilities for fulfillment in Harvard’s demanding math packages.

Social Media Reactions and Concerns

Gil’s submit, which included a screenshot of The Crimson article, posed a provocative query: “What is Harvard’s 3% admissions rate selecting for?” The inquiry has fueled heated discussions on social media, relating broader considerations about elite training, range, and pupil preparedness within the post-Covid period.
Commenters on X expressed a spread of views. Some, like Brian Edgeworth, emphasised the significance of math fundamentals, whereas others, resembling Abhivendra Singh, lamented a perceived decline in educational requirements. “Wow! Algebra used to be expected only 20 years ago,” Singh wrote, citing his expertise hiring Harvard alumni over time.
Others recommended the admissions course of could also be prioritizing components past educational preparedness. A consumer named stablekh referenced the 2023 US Supreme Court ruling that struck down race-based affirmative motion, speculating that Harvard might now emphasize extracurriculars and socioeconomic range over conventional educational metrics.
Elizabeth Knopf shared a private anecdote about her brother’s utility, noting his distinctive credentials—high of his class, a 1580 SAT rating, quite a few AP programs, and analysis at Stanford—but highlighting utility questions that targeted closely on race, LGBTQ+ identification, and variety. “You’re going to be disgusted,” she warned, implying bias within the admissions course of.
Some took a broader view of the development. Gabe Mays linked the new course to a bigger shift in increased training, suggesting that an emphasis on simpler levels or remedial packages might have long-term penalties. Meanwhile, Arjun Narayan proposed a tech-driven various, tagging @MathAcademy and quipping, “The AI will do a better job than any professor could.”

The Bigger Picture: Admissions and Academic Standards

Harvard’s Class of 2027 noticed a record-low 3.41% acceptance fee, reflecting the extraordinary competitors for admission. According to a January 2025 report from Shiksha.com, worldwide college students, together with many from India, proceed to face fierce odds in gaining entry.
The launch of Math MA5 raises basic questions: Is Harvard’s admissions course of deciding on college students who’re totally ready for its educational rigor? Or are exterior components—resembling pandemic-related studying loss and shifting range insurance policies—reshaping the scholar physique in surprising methods?
Supporters of Math MA5 argue that it displays Harvard’s dedication to pupil success, making certain that these admitted obtain the help they should excel. Critics, nevertheless, fear that such initiatives might dilute educational rigor or spotlight failings within the Ok-12 training system.
As the pilot program unfolds, it can function a key indicator of whether or not Harvard can successfully bridge these studying gaps—or whether or not deeper shifts in admissions and educational expectations are on the horizon.