does harvard have thesis

While Sandel argues that pursuing perfection through genetic engineering would decrease our sense of humility, he claims that the sense of solidarity we would lose is also important.

This thesis summarizes several points in Sandel’s argument, but it does not make a claim about how we should understand his argument. A reader who read Sandel’s argument would not also need to read an essay based on this descriptive thesis.  

Broad thesis (arguable, but difficult to support with evidence) 

Michael Sandel’s arguments about genetic engineering do not take into consideration all the relevant issues.

This is an arguable claim because it would be possible to argue against it by saying that Michael Sandel’s arguments do take all of the relevant issues into consideration. But the claim is too broad. Because the thesis does not specify which “issues” it is focused on—or why it matters if they are considered—readers won’t know what the rest of the essay will argue, and the writer won’t know what to focus on. If there is a particular issue that Sandel does not address, then a more specific version of the thesis would include that issue—hand an explanation of why it is important.  

Arguable thesis with analytical claim 

While Sandel argues persuasively that our instinct to “remake” (54) ourselves into something ever more perfect is a problem, his belief that we can always draw a line between what is medically necessary and what makes us simply “better than well” (51) is less convincing.

This is an arguable analytical claim. To argue for this claim, the essay writer will need to show how evidence from the article itself points to this interpretation. It’s also a reasonable scope for a thesis because it can be supported with evidence available in the text and is neither too broad nor too narrow.  

Arguable thesis with normative claim 

Given Sandel’s argument against genetic enhancement, we should not allow parents to decide on using Human Growth Hormone for their children.

This thesis tells us what we should do about a particular issue discussed in Sandel’s article, but it does not tell us how we should understand Sandel’s argument.  

Questions to ask about your thesis 

• Is the thesis truly arguable? Does it speak to a genuine dilemma in the source, or would most readers automatically agree with it?  
• Is the thesis too obvious? Again, would most or all readers agree with it without needing to see your argument?  
• Is the thesis complex enough to require a whole essay's worth of argument?  
• Is the thesis supportable with evidence from the text rather than with generalizations or outside research?  
• Would anyone want to read a paper in which this thesis was developed? That is, can you explain what this paper is adding to our understanding of a problem, question, or topic?
• picture_as_pdf Thesis

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Start with  HOLLIS  (HarvardKey login required for some full text, including theses & dissertations)

• Those presented for graduate degrees 
• Bowdoin prize essays 
• Undergraduate honors theses

How do you know if it's available online? 

• “View Online” button links out to full text.
• If there's no "View Online" button, the work probably has not been digitized.

What Harvard theses and dissertations can you expect to find online in full text? How do you get to them?

• Follow the links in HOLLIS.
• Not a Harvard affiliate? log in through the library of your academic institution OR
• you can usually purchase directly from  ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Express.  
• undergraduates are not required to submit theses or prizewinning papers to DASH
• Harvard Extension School ALM theses 2012-2016 were not entered into DASH. 
• Under certain circumstances dissertations may be embargoed by the author; DASH may be the only place this information is given.

If the work hasn't been digitized:

You can order PDFs or photocopies of most Harvard theses and dissertations (unless they're available through the Proquest database linked above) from 1873 through November 2011 (and ALM theses to 2016) 

• See our Reproduction Requests page to register
• When you submit the online order form, Imaging Services staff will reply with cost and delivery information.
• Questions about the online ordering process or pricing? Contact Imaging Services staff directly for additional information at 617/495-3995  or [email protected] (M-F, 9-5 Eastern) ​

For Extension School ALM theses  check out our  Library Guide for Harvard Extension School theses page

Want to view a dissertation or thesis at the library? Check with the archival collection location listed in HOLLIS.

Wondering what dissertations and theses have been submitted in the recent past?  Use DASH .

For more on undergraduate theses and dissertations, see our " How can I locate a Harvard undergraduate thesis?" FAQ.

Looking for non-Harvard theses & dissertations? See our "How can I find theses and dissertations?"  FAQ.

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Harvard University Digital Accessibility Policy

Doctoral Thesis Guidelines

Introduction

Preparing to Submit the Thesis

Application for the Degree Oral Final Examination – Signature Page

Online Submission of the Thesis

ETDs @ ProQuest ORCID Harvard Author Agreement Redaction Embargoes Surveys

Distribution of the Thesis

Open Access After Submission Bound Thesis Fee Additional Bound Copies

Copyright and Publishing Considerations

Understanding Your Copyright and Fair Use Copyright Registration Acknowledging the Work of Others Use of Copyrighted Material Steps for Using Published and To-Be Published Work

Formatting Guidelines

Text Margins Pagination Title Title Page Abstract Body of Thesis Figures and Tables Footnotes Bibliography Supplemental Material  

Citation & Style Guides

Thesis Submission Checklist

INTRODUCTION All DrPH degree candidates at the Harvard Chan School are required to successfully complete and submit a thesis to qualify for degree conferral. This website provides information on the requirements for how to format your thesis, how to submit your thesis, and how your thesis will be distributed.  Please follow the submission and formatting guidelines provided here. Back to top

PREPARING TO SUBMIT THE THESIS The electronic submission of your thesis and the original Signature Page are due on the dates specified on the Harvard Chan School’s Academic Calendar Summary for each degree awarding period (November, March, and May). These items must be submitted using the ETDs @ ProQuest tool in order for the degree to be voted. No exceptions will be made to this rule. Back to top

Application for the Degree There are three degree granting periods: November, March, and May. To apply for graduation, students must complete the Application for Degree on the my.Harvard portal by the deadline posted on the Harvard Chan School’s Academic Calendar .

Deadline extensions are not possible. Students who miss the deadline must apply for the subsequent degree conferral date (November, March, or May). The student is responsible for meeting submission deadlines. Back to top

Oral Final Examination — Signature Page All Doctoral Committee members are required to sign the Signature Page at the time of the Doctoral Final Oral Examination indicating their final approval of the thesis.

A scanned copy of the Signature Page should appear before the title page of the PDF online submission of the thesis; no page number should be assigned to the Signature Page. The title on the Signature Page must read exactly as it does on the title page of the thesis. The Signature Page will be included in all copies of the thesis.

Click here for instructions on how to merge the Signature Page into the thesis PDF.

The Signature Page for DrPH students must be formatted as follows:

This Doctoral Thesis, [ Title of Doctoral Project ], presented by [ Student’s Name ], and Submitted to the Faculty of The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Public Health , has been read and approved by:

______________________________________ (typed name below line – signature above)

________________________________________ (typed name below the line – signature above)

Date : [ Doctoral Project Official Approval Date (month day, year) ]

Back to top

ONLINE SUBMISSION OF THE THESIS  

ETDs @ ProQuest All DrPH candidates are required to submit a digital copy of the thesis to the Registrar’s Office as a PDF file via ETDs @ ProQuest by the deadline established for each degree conferral date. Theses must be submitted in their final format, as described in the section Formatting Guidelines . Students must check their formatting carefully before submitting. Formatting errors will prevent the students’ theses from being accepted and approved.

The online-submission tool can be found at:  http://www.etdadmin.com/hsph.harvard

A how-to video for submitting a thesis via ETDs is available on the Countway Library website .

ORCID ETDs @ ProQuest supports ORCIDs.  ORCIDs are persistent digital identifiers that link you to your professional activity.  You may register for an ORCID either before or during submission if you do not yet have one.  To do so, you may go here .

The Harvard Library ORCID page provides information about the value of having an ORCID iD and how Harvard plans to use ORCID data. Additionally, please visit the Harvard ORCID Connect site to connect your existing ORCID iD to Harvard University.

Harvard Author Agreement When submitting work through ETDs @ ProQuest, you will be consenting to the Harvard Author Agreement , which grants the University a non-exclusive license to preserve, reproduce, and display the work. This license, which is the same the Harvard Chan School faculty use under the School’s Open Access Policy, does not constrain your rights to publish your work subsequently. Back to top

Redaction Very few theses require redaction, which is the process of obscuring or removing sensitive information for distribution. ETDs @ ProQuest does support redacted versioning for these very rare cases where there is sensitive or potentially harmful material in the thesis (e.g., commercially sensitive information, sensitive personal data, risk of harmful retribution, etc.).

If your work is one such rare instance, then you may select the “I think I need to submit a redacted version of my thesis” on the file upload screen. You will then be prompted to contact the Office for Scholarly Communication, which will help you with your request. Back to top

Embargoes To forestall any potential challenges that a student may face in the publication process (e.g., if the candidate has a publication pending with a publisher or has previously published some of the content in the thesis and there is a publisher’s embargo that must be honored), the Harvard Chan School has instituted a default one-year embargo for submissions through ETDs @ ProQuest.   The embargo starts on the date of the thesis submission deadline. With an embargo, the full text of the thesis will be unavailable for view or download for a limited period of time.  The citation and abstract for the work, however, will be publicly available.

If a student would like to make her/his work available immediately by opting out of the embargo process, she/he may do so by selecting the No Embargo option during the submission process.

If, due to extenuating circumstances, a student is required to embargo part or all of their work beyond one year, she/he must request an extension during the submission process. An extension can be requested for up to two years. This request is subject to the approval of the student’s department chair(s) and the University Librarian.

Any embargo applied to the DASH version of the thesis will be applied to the Countway Library and Harvard Chan School department versions of the work.

Students do not need to take any action to remove an embargo.  The embargo will automatically be lifted in DASH at the end of the selected and approved period.  If a student would like to change the duration of his/her embargo request, then please contact the Registrar’s Office at [email protected] or 617-432-1032. Back to top

Surveys The School of Public Health is asked to participate in the Survey of Earned Doctorates. This is an annual census of research doctorate recipients in the United States.  Data collected from these surveys are used to make federal policy decisions regarding graduate education.

Students are required to complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates upon submission of their thesis. A Certificate of Completion will be sent to you, as well as to the Registrar’s Office.

Please click here to complete your survey.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE THESIS

Open Access For information on open access, we recommend the Office of Scholarly Communication’s (OSC) Director Peter Suber’s brief introduction . He has also written about providing open access to theses . The OSC has produced several videos of Harvard faculty and students discussing open access. Two may be of particular interest: the first features Professors Gary King and Stuart Shieber , and the second features a recent Harvard graduate, Ben Finio . Back to top

After Submission Once you have applied for your degree and submitted your thesis online, it is checked for compliance by the Registrar’s Office and, if accepted, is piped to the following downstream systems:

• DASH : Your work will be sent to DASH (Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard), Harvard’s open access repository. Search engines index DASH, which means your work will be more discoverable and more frequently cited. You will be making DASH access decisions for your work at the point of submission. This will be the access copy of the thesis.
• HOLLIS : The metadata about your work will be sent to HOLLIS . This will make your work discoverable through the Harvard Library catalog.
• DRS2 : Your work will be stored in Harvard Library’s digital preservation repository, DRS2 . This will be the preservation copy of the thesis.

By default, theses will be made available through DASH one year after students submit their theses via ETDs @ Harvard for degree completion (see Embargoes ). DASH is operated by Harvard Library’s Office for Scholarly Communication and is the University’s central service for openly distributing Harvard’s scholarly output.

Note that any embargo applied to the DASH version of the thesis will be applied to the Countway Library and department versions of the work. Back to top

Bound Thesis Fee Currently we are not receiving bound thesis copies.  Doctoral students will not be charged bound thesis fees. Back to top

Additional Bound Copies Students may secure extra copies of their work for their own purposes.  These additional copies may be purchased through  Acme Bookbinding . or through ETDs @ ProQuest . Back to top

COPYRIGHT AND PUBLISHING CONSIDERATIONS

Understanding Your Copyright and Fair Use The Office for Scholarly Communication has created copyright-related resources for your reference.

The first addresses your copyrights and identifies some considerations when publishing (see “ Planning to publish? ”). It is important that you envision any future use you may like to make of your work. Any publishing contract you sign can affect your potential future uses, such as use in teaching, posting your work online on either a personal or departmental website, or any potential future publication. Before you sign a publication agreement, you can negotiate with a publisher to secure licensing terms that best suit your needs. It is important that you read any contract you sign and keep a copy for your own records.

The second resource discusses fair use (see “ Fair use ”), what it is, the laws that have determined its shape over time, and tips for ensuring that use of third-party material (including quotes, images, music, film, etc.) in your thesis is fair. Back to top

Copyright Registration Your work is copyrighted as soon as it is fixed in a tangible form. You are not required to register your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office to enjoy protection of your work. However, if you choose to do so, you may register your work with the Copyright Office online . Back to top

Acknowledging the Work of Others Students are responsible for acknowledging any facts, ideas, or materials of others used in their own work. Students should refer to the statement on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism in the Harvard Chan School’s Student Handbook . Back to top

Use of Copyrighted Material A thesis is a scholarly work, and as such use of third party material is often essential. Fair use applies to the reproduction of any third party material, including your own previously published work, that you may use in your thesis.

If you have questions about copyright and fair use, please contact the Office for Scholarly Communication . Back to top

Steps for Using Published and To-Be Published Work When submitting an article for publication that you intend to use in your thesis, you should secure permission to do so (along with permission to reuse your own work as you would like) from your publisher in your publishing agreement. If the default contract does not let you retain these rights already, then you should use an author addendum to secure these rights (see “ Planning to publish? ”).

You may use your own previously published material as part of your thesis with the permission of the publisher. Again, refer to your publication agreement for details. If your contract does not specify these rights, then contact the publisher to negotiate this use. Back to top

FORMATTING GUIDELINES The following are instructions on how to format your thesis. If, after reading the instructions here, you have additional questions about the requirements, please contact the Registrar’s Office at (617) 432-1032; [email protected]. Back to top

Text   All text should be double-spaced on one side of the page with footnotes single-spaced. The font size should be at least 10 point, but no larger than 12 point.  The font and font size should be consistent throughout.  All text should be black. Back to top  |  Back to Formatting Guidelines

Margins The margins of the thesis must be 1 inch on all sides. Back to top  |  Back to Formatting Guidelines

Pagination Students’ theses must follow the pagination guidelines as illustrated below. It is customary not to have a page number on the page containing a chapter/paper heading. Drawings, charts, graphs, and photographs should be referred to as figures and should be numbered consecutively within the text of the thesis with Arabic numerals. Each figure should carry a suitable caption; e.g., Fig. 42. Arrangement of Experimental Equipment. Check pagination carefully and account for all pages.

All page numbers should be consecutive and centered at either the bottom or top of the page.
 Back to top  |  Back to Formatting Guidelines

Title The title of the thesis should be brief and should indicate the general subject treated. Nine words are usually sufficient to describe the investigation. Students are strongly encouraged to embed keywords into their title, so that the title will be retrievable on computerized listings. Back to top  |  Back to Formatting Guidelines

Title Page The title page must contain the following information, well-spaced and centered on the page:

For DrPH Students:

TITLE OF DOCTORAL THESIS

STUDENT’S NAME

A Doctoral Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

for the Degree of Doctor of Public Health

Harvard University

Boston, Massachusetts.

Date (the month in which degree will be awarded, year of graduation (e.g., May 2021)

Back to top  |  Back to Formatting Guidelines

Abstract The abstract should not exceed 350 words. It should immediately follow the Title Page, and should state the problem, describe the methods and procedures used, and give the main results or conclusions of the research. The abstract should be double-spaced. The author’s name and the title of the thesis, as well as the name of the thesis advisor, should be included on the abstract page. The author’s name should be right justified, the title of the thesis centered, and “Thesis Advisor: Dr. ____________” should be left-justified at the top of the abstract page.

Thesis Advisor: Dr. [Advisor’s name]                                                    [Author’s name]

[Title of thesis]

           The text of the abstract, not to exceed 350 words, should be double-spaced.  The first line of each paragraph is indented.  Full justification of the text is not recommended.

Students will also be required to submit a text version of the abstract via the online-submission tool. Back to top  |  Back to Formatting Guidelines

Body of Thesis The thesis should consist of manuscripts suitable for publication in a scientific medium appropriate to the candidate’s field and/or approved reprints of the published work(s) (see Steps for Using Published and To-Be Published Work and Use of Copyrighted Material ).

Technical appendices should be added where necessary to demonstrate full development of the thesis material. Papers published under joint authorship are acceptable provided the candidate has contributed a major part to the investigation. The degree candidate is expected to be senior author on at least one of the papers. In the case of manuscripts published under joint authorship, the co-authors or the advisor may be consulted by the readers or the CAD to clarify the nature and extent of the candidate’s contribution. In addition to evaluating the quality and significance of the work, those responsible for accepting the thesis [the Department(s) and Doctoral Project Committee] may determine whether the format is suitable for publication in a scientific medium appropriate to the degree candidate’s field(s). Back to top  |  Back to Formatting Guidelines

Figures and Tables Figures and tables must be placed as close as possible to their first mention in the text. They may be placed on a page with no text above or below, or they may be placed directly in the text. If a figure or table is alone on a page with no narrative, it should be centered within the margins of the page.

Figures and tables referred to in the text may not be placed at the end of the chapter or at the end of the thesis. Figure and table numbering must be either continuous throughout the thesis or by paper (e.g., 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2). For example, there cannot be two figures designated in a thesis as “Figure 5.”

Headings of tables should be placed at the top of the table. While there are no specific rules for the format of table headings and figure captions, a consistent format must be used throughout the thesis. (See Citation and Style Guides )

Captions of figures should be placed at the bottom of the figure. If the figure takes up the entire page, the figure caption should be placed alone on the preceding page and centered vertically and horizontally within the margins. Each page receives a separate page number. When a figure or table title is on a preceding page, the second and subsequent pages of the figure or table should say, for example, “Figure 5 (Continued).” In such an instance, the list of figures or tables will list the page number containing the title. The word “Figure” should be written in full (not abbreviated), and the “F” should be capitalized (e.g., Figure 5). In instances where the caption continues on a second page, the “(Continued)” notation should appear on the second and any subsequent page. The figure/table and the caption are viewed as one entity and the numbering should show correlation between all pages. Each page must include a header.

Horizontal figures and tables must be positioned correctly and bound at the top, so that the top of the figure or table will be at the left margin (leave a 1 inch margin on the long edge of the paper above the top of the table).

Figure and table headings/captions are placed with the same orientation as the figure or table when on the same page. When on a separate page, headings/captions are always placed in vertical orientation, regardless of the orientation of the figure or table. Page numbers are always placed as if the figure were vertical on the page.

Figures created with software are acceptable if the figures are clear and legible. Legends and titles created by the same process as the figures will be accepted if they too are clear, legible, and run at least 10 or 12 characters per inch. Otherwise, legends and captions should be printed with the same font used in the text. Back to top  |  Back to Formatting Guidelines

Footnotes Footnotes are reserved for substantive additions to the text and should be indicated by an asterisk in the text. Extensive use of footnotes is not encouraged. The footnote should be placed at the bottom of the page. A horizontal line of at least two inches should be typed above the first footnote on any page. Footnotes should be placed so that at least one inch is left at the bottom of the page. Use single-spacing within footnotes. Back to top  |  Back to Formatting Guidelines

Bibliography To document the sources of information, a bibliography must be included at the end of the papers or thesis. References may be numbered or listed alphabetically. If references in the bibliography are numbered, then corresponding in-text references should be indicated by listing the number in parentheses after the name of the author.

Bibliographic Example:

23. Gibbs, C.S.: Filterable virus carriers. J. Bact., 23, 1932, 113.

In-Text Example:

“. . . as Gibbs (23) has stated.”

The initial number should be omitted if references are listed alphabetically.

Within any bibliographic section there should be consistency and adherence to an acceptable journal style for a bibliography. Each reference in the bibliography must contain the name of the author, title of the paper, name of publication, volume, date, and first page.

More than one publication by the same author in the same year should be indicated both in the bibliography and in the text by the use of underlined letters, etc., after the date of publication. The standard system of abbreviation used by the Quarterly Cumulative Index should be followed for the abbreviations of journal titles.

If students’ individual papers have different bibliographic styles, then it is not necessary to change the bibliographic style of one to match the other. Consistency within each bibliographic section is the most important element. Back to top  |  Back to Formatting Guidelines

Supplemental Material Supplemental figures and tables must be placed at the end of each chapter/paper in an appendix. If additional digital information (including text, audio, video, image, or datasets) will accompany the main body of the thesis, then it should be uploaded as supplemental material via the ETDs @ Harvard online submission tool. Back to top  |  Back to Formatting Guidelines

CITATION & STYLE GUIDES

• The Chicago Manual of Style. 16th ed. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2003.
• Crews, Kenneth D. Copyright Law and the Doctoral Dissertation. Ann Arbor, MI: ProQuest, 2000.
• Day, Robert A. and Barbara Gastel. How to Write & Publish a Scientific Paper. 6th ed. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2006.
• MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing. 3rd ed. New York, NY: Modern Language Association of America, 2008. Strunk, William. The Elements of Style. 4th ed. New York, NY: Penguin Press, 2005.
• Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 6th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2010.
• Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. Chicago
• Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing. 7th ed. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2007.

THESIS SUBMISSION CHECKLIST ☐ Is the Signature Page unnumbered and positioned as the first page of the PDF file? ☐ Is there a blank page after the Signature Page? ☐ Does the body of the thesis begin with Page 1? ☐ Is the pagination continuous? Are all pages included? ☐ Is every page of the thesis correctly numbered? ☐ Is the placement of page numbers centered throughout the manuscript? ☐ Is the Title Page formatted correctly? ☐ Is the author’s name, in full, on the Title Page of the thesis and the abstract? ☐ Does the author’s name read the same on both and does it match the Signature Page? ☐ Is the abstract included after the Title Page? ☐ Does the abstract include the title of the thesis, the author’s name, and the thesis advisor(s)’ name? ☐ Is the title on the abstract the same as that on the title page? ☐ Are the margins 1” on all sides? ☐ Is the font size 10-12 point? ☐ Are all charts, graphs, and other illustrative materials perfectly legible? ☐ Do lengthy figures and tables include the “(Continued)” notation? ☐ Has all formatting been checked? ☐ Is the Survey of Earned Doctorates  completed? ☐ Has the Survey of Earned Doctorates’ confirmation email or certificate been uploaded to ETDs @ Harvard?

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• Senior Theses

Doing a senior thesis is an exciting enterprise. It’s often the first time students are engaging in truly original research and trying to develop a significant contribution to a field of inquiry. But as joyful as an independent research process can be, you don’t have to go it alone. It’s important to have support as you navigate such a large endeavor, and the ARC is here to offer one of those layers of support.

Whether or not to write a senior thesis is just the first in a long line of questions thesis writers need to consider. In addition to questions about the topic and scope of your thesis, there are questions about timing, schedule, and support. For example, if you are collecting data, when should data collection start and when should it be completed? What kind of schedule will you write on? How will you work with your adviser? Do you want to meet with your adviser about your progress once a month? Once a week? What other resources can you turn to for information, feedback, and support?

Even though there is a lot to think about and a lot to do, doing a thesis really can be an enjoyable experience! Keep reminding yourself why you chose this topic and why you care about it.

Tips for Tackling Big Projects:

Break the process down into manageable chunks.

• When you’re approaching a big project, it can seem overwhelming to look at the whole thing at once, so it’s essential to identify the smaller steps that will move you towards the completed project.
• Your adviser is best suited to help you break down the thesis process with field-specific advice.
• If you need to refine the breakdown further so it makes sense for you, schedule an appointment with an  Academic Coach . An academic coach can help you think through the steps in a way that works for you.

Schedule brief writing sessions at regular times.

• Pre-determine the time, place, and duration.
• Keep it short (15 to 60 minutes).
• Have a clear and reasonable goal for each writing session.
• Make it a regular event (every day, every other day, MWF).
• time is not wasted deciding to write if it’s already in your calendar;
• keeping sessions short reduces the competition from other tasks that are not getting done;
• having an achievable goal for each session provides a sense of accomplishment (a reward for your work);
• writing regularly can turn into a productive habit.

Create accountability structures.

• In addition to having a clear goal for each writing session, it's important to have clear goals for each week and to find someone to communicate these goals to, such as your adviser, a “thesis buddy,” your roommate, etc. Communicating your goals and progress to someone else creates a useful sense of accountability.
• If your adviser is not the person you are communicating your progress to on a weekly basis, then request to set up a structure with your adviser that requires you to check in at less frequent but regular intervals.
• Commit to attending Accountability Hours  at the ARC on the same day every week. Making that commitment will add both social support and structure to your week. Use the ARC Scheduler to register for Accountability Hours.
• Set up an accountability group in your department or with thesis writers from different departments.

Create feedback structures.

• It’s important to have a means for getting consistent feedback on your work and to get that feedback early. Work on large projects often lacks the feeling of completeness, so don’t wait for a whole section (and certainly not the whole thesis) to feel “done” before you get feedback on it!
• Your thesis adviser is typically the person best positioned to give you feedback on your research and writing, so communicate with your adviser about how and how often you would like to get feedback.
• If your adviser isn’t able to give you feedback with the frequency you’d like, then fill in the gaps by creating a thesis writing group or exploring if there is already a writing group in your department or lab.
• The Harvard College Writing Center is a great resource for thesis feedback. Writing Center Senior Thesis Tutors can provide feedback on the structure, argument, and clarity of your writing and help with mapping out your writing plan. Visit the Writing Center website to schedule an appointment with a thesis tutor .

Accept that there will be some anxious moments.

• To reduce this source of anxiety, try keeping a separate document where you jot down ideas on how your research questions or central argument might be clarifying or changing as you research and write. Doing this will enable you to stay focused on the section you are working on and to stop worrying about forgetting the new ideas that are emerging.
• You might feel anxious when you realize that you need to update your argument in response to the evidence you have gathered or the new thinking your writing has unleashed. Know that that is OK. Research and writing are iterative processes – new ideas and new ways of thinking are what makes progress possible.
• Breaking down big projects into manageable chunks and mapping out a schedule for working through each chunk is one way to reduce this source of anxiety. It’s reassuring to know you are working towards the end even if you cannot quite see how it will turn out.
• It may be that your thesis or dissertation never truly feels “done” to you, but that’s okay. Academic inquiry is an ongoing endeavor.

Focus on what works for you.

• Just because your roommate wrote 10 pages in a day doesn’t mean that’s the right pace or strategy for you.
• If you are having trouble figuring out what works for you, use the  ARC Scheduler  to make an appointment with an  Academic Coach , who can help you come up with daily, weekly, and semester-long plans.

Use your resources.

• There’s a lot of the thesis writing process that has to be done independently, but there are also a lot of free resources at Harvard to help you do the work.
• If you’re having trouble finding a source, email your question or set up a research consult via Ask a Librarian .
• If you’re looking for additional feedback or help with any aspect of writing, contact the Harvard College Writing Center . The Writing Center has Senior Thesis Tutors who will read drafts of your thesis (more typically, parts of your thesis) in advance and meet with you individually to talk about structure, argument, clear writing, and mapping out your writing plan.
• If you need help with breaking down your project or setting up a schedule for the week, the semester, or until the deadline, use the  ARC Scheduler  to make an appointment with an  Academic Coach .
• If you would like an accountability structure for social support and to keep yourself on track, come to Accountability Hours at the ARC.

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• Research Opportunities

Performing research can be a very enriching and transformative part of your undergraduate experience at the College. You may encounter it as part of your coursework, but it can also be something you do outside of the classroom as a way to gain practical skills, learn about methods of inquiry and contribute actively to the advancement of study in your field.

Finding a research opportunity will require you to be proactive, build faculty relationships , and use key resources . It may be good to start by charting your personal goals and interests in order to help you identify opportunities that are a match for them. Remember to give yourself plenty of time for your search and to remain flexible and open-minded through the process. Engaging with the research community at Harvard is possible for students in all concentrations. Whether you have participated in research work previously, or are just getting started, there are opportunities designed to meet you where you are right now.

Research opportunities come in many formats and happen in a variety of settings. They often start off as a question that someone wants to explore more fully. Faculty, for example, initiate research projects designed for this purpose. It might also begin with you! In your studies, for example, you may have noticed a lack of knowledge or a lack of recent work on a particular topic that interests you. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, you could be the person to explore and find answers to fill in the void of missing information.

Depending on the scale of a project, you might find yourself working on a team or operating on your own and coordinating your efforts with those of a faculty mentor. This work may take place on campus, at other domestic locations, or even internationally, during term-time or over the course of the summer.

Some common formats of research experiences for undergraduates include:

Course-based Research

Courses (existing or independent study). Many courses at Harvard and neighboring institutions (where you can cross-register ) have a strong research component. There is even the option for you to design an independent study course. To explore these options, the best starting point is with a concentration adviser knowledgeable about course offerings and policies in that concentration. You can also visit the Advising Programs Office  (APO) to connect with undergraduate concentration advisers.

Research Assistantships

There are many opportunities to work as a research assistant on an existing project. A research assistantship is an excellent opportunity for students with little experience to get their first exposure to research. Research assistantship postings can be found on department webpages, at research centers, as well as on the Student Employment Office Job Board . You can also check with nearby hospitals and research groups, in addition to faculty and grad students. If you have never contacted research investigators before, check out our tips on how to effectively reach out to faculty .

Research Programs

In lieu of performing research via a course or an assistantship, you might consider looking at a research program. Depending on the program, you might work on a project designed by a member of faculty or propose your own question to pursue under the guidance of a faculty mentor. URAF summer programs, for example, are designed to correspond to specific academic areas (i.e., STEM, Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences), forming a cohort of fellows working on various topics in their area of interest.

URAF research programs are offered on an annual basis, with pre-set start- and end-times, and require formal applications with strict deadlines. These programs often have different eligibility criteria (i.e., GPA, class year, research experience). Some programs require previous field-specific experience, while other are designed for newcomers to that particular field of study. Many research programs include various forms of financial support (e.g. stipends, accommodation, etc.) as well as opportunities for community-building and intellectual growth.

Thesis Research

Each concentration has its own requirements for thesis research, including topics allowed, prerequisites, timing, and who can supervise your work. If you are interested in thesis research, connect with advisers appointed by the concentrations for guiding undergraduates—information about concentration advisers can be found on the APO website. Also, check out our tips on how to effectively reach out to faculty .

Some questions to ask yourself when looking for a program are:

• Where do you want to be?
• What type of research would you like to do?
• Does the program offer additional support or programming that may be helpful?
• How long do you intend to do research?

The Browse URAF opportunities page of our website aggregates a large number of Harvard undergraduate research options. Please note, however, that not all Harvard-affiliated schools and programs are listed here. To ensure you are learning about all potential opportunities, don’t forget to consult faculty advisers, concentration advisers, and academic advisers to identify programs that match your interests and desired outcomes most closely.

Beyond browsing through URAF opportunities, you can explore our External Resources  page which provides another starting point for finding research opportunities, including research programs. Some are based at Harvard, while others are located across the US and worldwide. You can also use Google to search for research programs related to your topic and interests. Try using the keywords, "undergraduate research" or "summer undergraduate research."

If you have previously performed research at Harvard, you too might consider how you would benefit from exploring external opportunities . Exposure to research and processes at different institutions will allow you to expand your professional and academic networks, to explore a new place and even new ways of investigating topics that interest you.

At whatever point you happen to be in your undergraduate trajectory, URAF is here to support you through each stage of the process. You can even check out our remote-ready  resources webpages if you intend to perform all or part of your research online.

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Interested in learning more about projects that past fellows in the Harvard Summer Undergraduate Research Village (HSURV) have worked on? Check out our achive HSURV Abstract Books!

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• 2019 HSURV Abstract Book  (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP, SURGH)
• 2018 HSURV Abstract Book  (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP, SURGH)
• 2017 HSURV Abstract Book  (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP, SURGH, PCER)
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• 2014 HSURV Abstract Book  (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP)
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Special Collections: Theses at the Frances Loeb Library

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DASH  (Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard) includes GSD theses submitted digitally as of Fall 2020 onwards. Any researcher can access and download, unless an embargo has been placed on it by the author.

HOLLIS (HarvardKey required) includes theses submitted between Fall 2012 and Fall 2020. A HarvardKey is required to access and download digital theses. Some theses during these years were still submitted in paper only (analog theses).

HOLLIS  also includes analog theses submitted from early-1900s to 2012. 

The  GSD History Collection  includes theses submitted in the 1930s and 1940s.

You can search by subject, location, author, or advisor. Add additional terms to focus your results. Try the searches below in HOLLIS and then try them in DASH .

• harvard graduate school design thesis coast* (for coast or coastal)
• harvard graduate school design thesis housing
• harvard graduate school design thesis beijing
• harvard graduate school design thesis Mori, Toshiko 
• harvard graduate school design thesis Rowe, Peter

Another way to search is by program, click on the links below to view HOLLIS records for theses from these programs:

• Master of architecture (MArch)
• Master of architecture in urban design (MAUD)
• Master of landscape architecture (MLA)
• Master of landscape architecture in urban design (MLAUD)
• Master of urban planning (MUP)
• Master of Design studies (MDes or MDesS)  

Thesis submission requirements and procedures change throughout the years and across academic departments. Because theses have not always been required  the library does not necessarily have a thesis for every GSD graduate. 

The library’s collection practices and cataloging for theses also change throughout the decades, so you may have to search differently depending on what you're looking for, or what period you are interested in.

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GSD theses from Fall 2020 onwards can be accessed and downloaded primarily in  DASH , unless the author has requested an embargo on her thesis. They can also be accessed in  HOLLIS  and  ProQuest .

GSD theses submitted between Fall 2012 and Fall 2020 can be accessed and downloaded in HOLLIS by members of the Harvard community (with Harvard ID and key access), or from computers within our library for everyone else. We do not offer remote access to theses for unaffiliated users. We also do not lend out print theses through interlibrary loan. 

GSD theses submitted before 2012 can be accessed onsite (see Request a GSD Thesis below).

Researchers can view paper GSD theses on site by placing a Reading Room Request through  HOLLIS Special Request .

Items are placed on the Special Collections Reading Room hold shelf for 1 week, and researchers will receive an email to schedule an appointment to view the requested items. Researchers can also check the status of their request in HOLLIS Special Request . 

Paper theses do not circulate nor can be borrowed. Exceptions can be made for GSD faculty to use in a class. 

GSD theses  five years and older  from degree date that are in paper may be scanned or photographed by researchers on-site at no cost. If you can't come to the Special Collections Reading Room in person, a Copy Request can be placed through  HOLLIS Special Request . You will receive a fee estimate from Har vard Library Imaging Services.

Please note : Most theses submitted within the last five years and before Fall 2020  are digital and are available through HOLLIS to Harvard affiliates only, who can access and download these digital theses from there. The library does not provide PDF or printed versions for theses within the last five years. The few that are available only in paper from the last five years have slips indicating that they may not be copied.

In addition, theses submitted on or after the Fall of 2020 are available through ProQuest and DASH  globally, unless the author has requested an embargo.

• ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global ProQuest is a database that holds thousands of theses from Harvard and other institutions worldwide from 1997 through the present.
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Senior Thesis & Undergraduate Research

Every year, approximately 45%-55% of senior History concentrators choose to cap their Harvard careers by writing a senior honors thesis.

The senior thesis tutorial is a two-semester sequence  comprising Hist 99a and Hist 99b . While the overwhelming majority of students who start a thesis choose to complete it, our process allows students to drop the thesis at the end of the fall semester after History 99a (in which case they are not eligible for departmental honors).

The senior thesis in History is a year-long project involving considerable primary- and secondary-source research and a good deal of writing; finished theses are expected to be between 60 and 130 pages in length , and to make an original contribution to historical knowledge.

The department’s senior thesis program is one of the strongest in Harvard College. In recent years, one quarter or more of our thesis writers have received  Hoopes Prizes , which is well over the College average.

History 99 Syllabus 2022–2023

History 99: Senior Thesis Writers’ Tutorial Wednesdays, 6–7 and 7-8 PM Robinson Conference Room

Click here to view the History 99 syllabus for this year.

A Sampling of Past History Thesis Titles

For a list of thesis titles from the past five years, please click here .

Senior Thesis Conference

The History Department's annual Senior Thesis Writer's Conference is an opportunity for thesis writers to present their projects as members of three-to-four person panels moderated by a faculty member or advanced graduate student, to an audience of other faculty and graduate students. Their aim is to get the critical and constructive feedback they need to clarify their arguments, refine their methods, and ultimately transform their research projects into theses.

Like our faculty, our student presenters are conscious of their reliance on other disciplines in almost every aspect of their work. This conference supplies opportunities to engage in cross-disciplinary dialogues. Audience members also learn from these dedicated and talented young scholars even as they teach them new ways of conceiving and pursuing their projects.

For more information about the conference or the Department's thesis program as a whole, please write to the  Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies in History, or visit the Senior Thesis Writers Conference and History 99a website. The  Conference is open to all active members of the Harvard community.

All seniors writing theses receive as part of the History 99a and 99b seminar materials a Timetable for Thesis Writers which lists approximate deadlines for staying current with work on this large-scale project. (For current copies of these documents, please click here .) Many thesis writers will submit work in advance of the deadlines listed on the timetable, following schedules worked out with their individual advisers. Several of the deadlines listed on the timetable must be met:

• Students who wish to enroll in History 99 must attend the first meeting of the seminar on Wednesday, September 5th at 6:00 pm in the Robinson Lower Library.
• By the beginning of the fall reading period, students must submit substantial proof of research to both their adviser and the 99 History instructors. This usually takes the form of a chapter or two of the thesis (20–30 pages).
• Theses are due to the History Undergraduate Office (Robinson 101) on Thursday, March 10, 2022  before 5:00 pm. Theses that are handed in late will be penalized.

Thesis Readings

Each History thesis is read by at least two impartial members of the Board of Tutors, assigned by the Department. The Board of Tutors consists of (1) all department faculty in residence and (2) all graduate students teaching History 97 and/or a Research Seminar, as well as those advising senior theses. If History is the secondary field of a joint concentration, there is only one History reader. Each reader assigns an evaluation to the thesis (highest honors, highest honors minus, high honors plus, high honors, high honors minus, honors plus, honors, or no distinction), and writes a report detailing the special strengths and weaknesses of the thesis.  Theses by students with a highest honors-level concentration GPA and one highest-level reading will automatically be assigned three readers. Additionally, a thesis by any student may be sent to a third reader when the first two evaluations are three or more distinctions apart (e.g., one high honors plus and one honors plus).

Department Standards for the Thesis Program

Seniors who wish to write a thesis must meet certain prerequisites:

• a ‘B+’ average in the concentration;
• a ‘B+’ average on a 20-page research seminar paper
• the recommendation of their Research Seminar tutor(s).

Students who do not meet the above standards may petition the  History Undergraduate Office for admission to the senior thesis; successful petitions must include a detailed thesis proposal, and will be evaluated at the discretion of the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies (Asst. DUS).

The Awarding of Departmental Honors in History

THE AWARDING OF DEPARTMENTAL HONORS IN HISTORY

 Nominations for departmental honors are made by the Board of Examiners at the degree meeting each spring.  In making its nominations, the Board first takes two elements into account:  the average of course grades in History and thesis readings.  All students who may be eligible for a recommendation of highest honors will then be given an oral examination by the Board of Examiners; performance on this exam will be considered in determining the final recommendation.  The standing of those students at the border of two different degrees may also be determined through an oral examination administered by the Board of Examiners.

To be considered eligible for highest honors in history, a student will ordinarily have a grade point average greater than or equal to 3.85 in courses taken for departmental credit, and have received at least two highest -level thesis readings.  In addition, the student must convince the Board of Examiners of their qualifications for the highest recommendation through their performance on the oral examination.  Whether any particular student falling into this numerical range receives highest honors in history will be determined in part by the performance on the oral examination. 

To be considered eligible for high honors in history, a student will ordinarily have a grade point average greater than or equal to 3.7, and will ordinarily have received two high -level readings on the thesis. 

To be considered eligible for honors in history, a student will ordinarily have a grade point average greater than or equal to 3.3, and will ordinarily have received two honors -level readings on the thesis. 

Please note that the Department recommends students’ English honors (highest, high, honors, no honors) and sends these recommendations to the College which determines students’ Latin honors based on total GPA.  Please visit:   https://handbook.fas.harvard.edu/book/requirements-honors-degrees    for more information on how the College awards Latin honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, cum laude, no honors).  In addition, you should consult with your Resident Dean.  Any degree candidate who does not receive the A.B. degree with honors in History will be considered by the FAS for the degree of cum laude.  

Departmental Support

Students who do decide to enter the thesis program benefit from a great deal of departmental support. The Department encourages its thesis writers to consider the possibility of devoting the summer prior to their senior year to thesis research, whether on campus or around the world. Each year a large number of rising seniors find funding for summer thesis research. The Undergraduate Office holds a meeting to advise students on how to write a successful fellowship proposal. In addition, we maintain a  listing of organizations that have supported concentrators’ thesis research.

The Department also supports its senior thesis writers through two semesters of a Senior Thesis Seminar, History 99a and 99b , which provide a useful framework for thesis writers as they work through the intermittent difficulties that all thesis students inevitably encounter. For many seniors, their thesis will turn out to be the best piece of writing done while at Harvard. It will also be the longest and most complicated. Consequently, the seminars will focus much attention on the unique challenges of writing an extended, multi-chapter work. History 99a and 99b also provide a common forum in which seniors can share with thesis-writing colleagues their feedback, successes, frustrations, interests, and techniques. This kind of collegiality and exchange of ideas is at the heart of the academic seminar, and it can be the most rewarding aspect of the seminar series.

Students must enroll in the Thesis Seminars in order to write a thesis by obtaining approval from the Asst. DUS  on their study cards.

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David Shayne (far left) handed in his thesis an hour before the deadline. Joining him in his jump for joy are Juliana Rodriguez and Trevor Levin.

Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer

Whew, that’s done!

Harvard Staff Writer

With senior theses turned in, students can celebrate a major academic achievement

For many, writing a senior thesis is the ultimate academic challenge of College life. About half of Harvard students undertake this weighty endeavor, which is required only for honors students at most Schools. On deadline day, their original research, writing, and tortured all-nighters are sometimes rewarded with interdepartmental parties featuring cake and champagne.

More tributes follow the March filings — at least for a lucky few — in early May with the announcement of the Hoopes Prize , which recognizes outstanding undergraduate research. A few days later, the Harvard  John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) holds its annual Design & Project Fair , where dean’s awards are bestowed for outstanding engineering projects.

Lyra Wanzer ’19, who built an electroadhesive treaded microrobot, was one of this year’s four winners. She was delighted. “I put so much work and time in this,” said Wanzer, a Vermont native who fell in love with robotics in high school. “So many hours for a whole year.”

Students in the engineering bachelor’s program at SEAS are required to work on a capstone project, similar to a thesis, which aims to solve a real-world problem. Wanzer built a 6-centimeter-long microrobot with treads like a military tank. It can stick to conductive surfaces and could be used for search and rescue operations or inspecting pipes, engines, and other places where the human hand can’t reach.

Across the University, the thesis is a rite of passage that students approach with mixed feelings. There is dread about the amount of work involved — each thesis must be between 10,000 and 20,000 words, 60 to 100 pages, and involve original research — but also a deep feeling of accomplishment once it’s finally done.

Such was the case for David Shayne ’19, who is concentrating in social studies with a secondary in visual and environmental studies. Shayne handed in his thesis on the history of the American economic crises one hour before the deadline. He was tired after sleeping little in the previous 48 hours, but mostly overwhelmed by pride and joy.

“I’m exhausted and stunned that the thesis exists and that I produced so many pages [about 100],” he said, looking a bit disheveled on the March 13 deadline. “I did my thesis by the sheer tyranny of will. It’s a weird and wonderful feeling.”

Nicole Dejong Newendorp, assistant director of Undergraduate Studies, holds some of the many theses handed in on “Thesis Day.” Lyra Wanzer ‘19 built an electroadhesive treaded robot for her capstone project.

Rose Lincoln (left) and Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographers

In most Schools a thesis is optional, but it is a requirement for students on the honors track. About half of all students across the College pursue honors within their concentrations; the numbers vary according to Schools and departments. Lauren Bimmler, undergraduate program administrator in the English Department, said 34 out of 48 seniors there are on the honors track.

A lower percentage of SEAS students write senior theses. This year, 42 out of 140 computer science concentrators wrote one, as did 30 out of 100 students concentrating in applied mathematics.

For Hyo-Won Jeon, who is concentrating in social studies, working on her thesis meant sacrifice. When she handed it in, she felt relieved.

“Every day was truly a test,” said Jeon, who spent the night before the deadline at the library working on her paper on intercountry adoptees who don’t have U.S. citizenship. “The hardest part was not being able to spend time with my friends because I was working.”

Students don’t undertake the challenge alone. The University offers tutorials, seminars, and workshops on how to choose a topic, do research, and write the thesis, and assigns advisers who guide students through the whole process. They may also apply for grants for research and travel.

For seniors in the S.B. engineering program, SEAS requires the two-semester capstone course “Engineering Design Projects” (ES 100). This year’s projects showed a wide array of interests, from a 3D-printable implant to replace part of the ear’s canal wall to a wearable device that provides early detection of infection in pediatric patients to a portable gadget that measures atmospheric mercury levels.

Seniors concentrating in applied mathematics also demonstrated a broad array of interests, said Sarah Iams, assistant director of undergraduate studies in applied mathematics.

“It’s a cool, wide range of topics, from sports theses to economic questions to decoding Inca quipus ,” said Iams.

In the English Department, students can write critical or creative theses. Bimmler said creative theses, such as collections of poems or short stories, novellas, and screenplays, are on the rise. Two years ago, Obasi Shaw ’17 turned in “ Liminal Minds ,” the first rap album ever submitted at the English Department.

This year, there were 13 creative theses and next year officials anticipate 23, said Bimmler.

For many students the best part of tackling a thesis is that they can choose any topic, depending on their interests or fields of study. Among this year’s Hoopes Prize winners are works on female judges and crime in India, American country music in Italy, Nazis in America, gang violence in El Salvador, and the spread of the invasive strawberry guava in Madagascar’s rainforests.

Schools have different deadlines for students to turn in their theses. In the Social Studies Department, it’s always the Wednesday before spring break to allow students enjoy the recess without any thesis-related concerns. At SEAS, it’s the last Friday of March.

On deadline day, some Schools hold small parties with champagne, cake, and hors d’oeuvres to cheer on students as they arrive with the product of their labor. It’s a well-deserved celebration, said Anya Bernstein Bassett, senior lecturer and director of studies in social studies.

“They take on an independent project and go through the ups and downs because there are always challenges,” said Bassett. “Your interview subjects won’t talk to you, you go to a field site and it’s not what you expected, and they have to manage through that. It says so much about who they are and how committed they are.”

Juliana Rodrigues ’19, who’s concentrating in social studies, shared the sentiment.

“It’s a capstone for your educational experience at Harvard,” she said. “It’s a way to reflect back on everything you’ve learned in your time here and bring that all together that speaks to who you are and what you value.”

Anna Antongiorgi ’19 is concentrating in English with a secondary in Theater, Dance & Media. Her creative thesis was both an intellectual and emotional enterprise. She wrote a collection of 120 poems inspired by her love of writing and dancing.

In many ways, the paper didn’t feel like homework, said Antongiorgi, who began dancing at age 5 and started writing poems in high school. At times, it was cathartic, at times overwhelming, but mostly it was enjoyable. The process has led her to ponder new possibilities.

“I’m still writing,” said Antongiorgi. “It felt like it was just the beginning. I don’t feel finished.”

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Questions about Harvard

What is the difference between harvard college and harvard university.

Harvard College founded in 1636, is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Harvard College offers a four-year undergraduate, liberal arts program for students seeking their first degree. There are about 6,600 undergraduates at the College, with nearly equal numbers of men and women. In addition to Harvard College, Harvard University includes 12 graduate and professional schools , all of which offer programs for students who already hold their first degrees and seek advanced training in their fields through master's or doctoral programs. All 12 graduate and professional schools maintain their own admissions offices and teaching faculties, and they are run independently of Harvard College. For information about Harvard's graduate programs, please contact these schools' admissions offices directly.

What is a "liberal arts & sciences" education?

Commitment to liberal arts & sciences is at the core of Harvard College’s mission: before students can help change the world, they need to understand it. The liberal arts & sciences offer a broad intellectual foundation for the tools to think critically, reason analytically and write clearly. These proficiencies will prepare students to navigate the world’s most complex issues, and address future innovations with unforeseen challenges. Shaped by ideas encountered and created, these new modes of thinking will prepare students for leading meaningful lives, with conscientious global citizenship, to enhance the greater good.

Harvard offers General Education courses that show the liberal arts and sciences in action. They pose enduring questions, they frame urgent problems, and they help students see that no one discipline can answer those questions or grapple with those problems on its own. Students are challenged to ask difficult questions, explore unfamiliar concepts, and indulge in their passion for inquiry and discovery across disciplines.

Can I fulfill academic requirements with previous coursework?

Can i concentrate in business, journalism, law, or medicine.

While you can take courses related to these fields, Harvard's academic programs are not pre-professional, in that they do not provide vocational training. Many Harvard graduates plan to continue their education in professional or graduate schools, often in these fields. Please note that both medicine and law are postgraduate programs in the United States. If you are not a U.S. citizen but wish to continue your education in a professional program, particularly in an American medical school, we advise you to consult specific graduate and professional programs in advance to understand those schools' admissions and financial aid policies concerning international students.

What should I know about Harvard's science and engineering programs?

Science and engineering have long been priorities at Harvard. There are more than two dozen state-of-the-art facilities for science research at Harvard, and new computer science and chemistry laboratories opened in 2008. Moreover, forty-one of our former and current science faculty members have won Nobel Prizes. About half of recent entering students intend to major in the natural sciences, engineering, computer science or mathematics. Read more about engineering and applied science at www.seas.harvard.edu .

How easy is it to change my concentration?

About a third of undergraduates change fields after declaring their concentrations, which students do midway through their sophomore year. You would simply change concentrations in consultation with your departmental advisers. Learn more about the breadth of Harvard's academic programs .

Are there required first-year classes?

Harvard requires all first-year students to fulfill the expository writing requirement, a one- or two-semester course depending on placement . Otherwise, you may enroll in any Harvard College courses in which you are interested and for which you are prepared.

How many courses does Harvard offer?

Harvard offers more than 3,700 courses. For a complete copy of the course catalog, please visit registrar.fas.harvard.edu .

Are there exchange programs with other Greater Boston colleges?

You may cross-register in courses offered at MIT, which is a 10-minute trip from Harvard Yard. You may also enroll in graduate-level courses at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences as well as at many of Harvard's professional schools .

What percentage of faculty members teach undergraduates?

Virtually 100 percent.

Is it possible to get to know my professors?

Yes. In addition to weekly office hours, students often spend time with their professors before and after class. There are also many occasions when professors take meals in Harvard's 12 residential dining halls; attend gatherings in the residences of Faculty Deans, who are themselves Harvard faculty members; and participate in other programs and special events.

How large are classes?

Some introductory courses as well as several other popular courses have large enrollments. Yet, the median class size at Harvard is 12. Of the nearly 1,300 courses offered last fall, for example, more than 1,000 of them enrolled 20 or fewer students.

Campus Life

Is on-campus housing guaranteed.

Harvard guarantees housing for all four years. First-year students live in one of the 17 dormitories in or adjacent to historic Harvard Yard. Self-selected groups of students are assigned to one of 12 residential Houses for the final three years of undergraduate study. About 350 to 500 students live in a House, each of which includes its own dining hall, library, advising staff, and many other resources. Read more about residential life .

Must I live on campus?

You must live in Harvard housing your first-year at the College. A very small percentage of students choose to live off-campus their following years. Most students and alumni consider the House system one of the hallmarks of their Harvard experiences. Considering the diversity of student backgrounds, interests, and talents, Harvard's residential program enhances the degree to which students learn from one another.

What will my room look like?

Most first-year dorms have suites for three to six students. Suites contain from two to four bedrooms and a common room. A few have their own baths, though most share a bathroom with other suites. The First-Year Experience Office assigns students to suites rather than to particular bedrooms, and in almost any suite students should expect to share a bedroom for at least part of the first year. Some dorms contain doubles, usually one fairly large room with a shared bath.

Where will I take my meals?

First-year students all eat together in Annenberg Hall. During sophomore through senior year, students typically eat in the dining hall located within their Houses, although students can choose to eat at other House dining halls as well. See more about dining .

What extracurricular opportunities are available?

There are more than 450 student-run organizations at Harvard, among them dozens of publications, five orchestras, an extensive community service program, more than 40 intercollegiate athletic teams, and a broad assortment of other activities—artistic, musical, political, and social. We encourage and support extracurricular opportunities as these provide important settings for personal growth and friendships. Visit the Dean of Students website for more information about extracurriculars.

What security measures are in place at Harvard?

Harvard has a comprehensive public safety program that includes a full campus police force, a walking escort service, a campus-wide shuttle service, emergency phones, lighted pathways and a computer-card key system operating in all residential buildings. Read Harvard's Annual Security Report on the Harvard University Police Department website .

What advising and support services are available?

Woven into Harvard's residences are a variety of academic and other advising resources that make the residential experience at Harvard distinctive. First-year students benefit from the guidance that resident proctors provide about living in Cambridge and studying at the College. Each House also has its own staff of advisers called resident tutors who are similar to first-year proctors but with expertise in particular academic and professional fields. Harvard offers extensive advising resources of other kinds. If you need extra help in coursework, you can turn to the Academic Resource Center . The Mignone Center for Career Success (MCS)  offers career counseling. The University maintains its own outstanding health services . The Undergraduate Financial Aid Office will help you with financial aid issues, and the Student Employment Office will help place you in jobs on and off campus. Finally, if you are an international student, the International Office is there for your special needs.

Does Harvard provide services if I have a disability?

Yes. The Disability Access Office (DAO)—formerly the Accessible Education Office (AEO)—assists students with any impairment limiting their ability to walk, see, hear, speak, learn, or write. Based on each student's successful strategies, the Center collaborates with faculty and staff to ensure individualized accommodation. Accessible housing and transportation are also available. Read more about the DAO .

Are there research opportunities for undergraduates?

Yes - available to students as early as their freshman year. You may find research projects through individual inquiries with departments and professors, through the  Harvard College Research Program  (HCRP), or through the  Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program  (MMUF). The  Faculty Aide Program , run by the Student Employment Office, links professors to undergraduates interested in becoming research assistants. Read more about HCRP and MMUF on the  Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships website , and find additional opportunities on the  Student Employment Office website . 

What sort of study abroad programs are available?

Harvard students study abroad in classroom, laboratory, and field-based immersion programs throughout the world. In addition to greatly expanded study abroad opportunities, other international experiences such as public service internships and employment are offered. Generous funding is available for all students both during the school year and the summer. For more information about study abroad, visit the Office of International Programs website .

Does Harvard provide specific resources for undocumented students?

Harvard supports all of its students. The Office of Diversity Education & Support can help direct undergraduate undocumented students to advisers and counselors in the Bureau of Study Counsel , Mignone Center for Career Success , Harvard International Office , Student Employment Office , and University Health Services who can assist them. For legal questions, Harvard students can contact the Harvard Immigration & Refugee Clinic . Assistance is also available through Act on a Dream , a student organization that serves as a resource for undocumented undergraduates at the College.

Life After Harvard

How successful are harvard students in gaining admission to graduate schools or finding employment after graduation.

Our graduates enjoy an extraordinarily high rate of success receiving job offers and admission to graduate and professional schools. Resident tutors in each of the twelve residential Houses assist students applying to graduate schools and fellowship programs. The Mignone Center for Career Success (MCS) offers all undergraduates a range of job and internship counseling and placement. Foreign citizens should be aware that some special policies pertain should they seek employment in the U.S. after graduation.

Will attending Harvard College affect my chances of admission to Harvard University's graduate programs in business, medicine, or law?

Harvard University's graduate programs are separate from and independent of Harvard College. Each Harvard graduate school makes its own admissions decisions. When reported, Harvard College undergraduates often make up the largest cohort of any incoming school to our various graduate programs.

What is Harvard's graduation rate?

The College's graduation rate is normally 98 percent, among the highest at American colleges and universities. Everyone admitted to Harvard has the ability to complete all academic requirements successfully.

Applying to Harvard

Application fee, paying the admissions application fee is a hardship for my family. can i get a waiver.

We are committed to making the application process accessible for all students. If the admissions application fee presents a hardship for you or your family and you plan on applying for financial aid, the fee will be waived. Please follow the steps below to request a fee waiver:

Common Application

• Confirm that you meet at least one of the indicators of economic need and then select “Yes” to the prompt “ You are eligible for application fee waivers if you meet one or more of the following criteria."
• Complete the fee waiver signature. 

Coalition Application, Powered by Scoir

• Confirm that you meet at least one of the indicators of economic need listed in the Fee Waiver section of your Profile.
• If you do not meet one of the indicators of economic need, you may enter the Harvard-specific fee waiver code on the payment page: JH3S5Q2LX9

Transfer Applicants

• Please see the Transfer Application Requirements for information about requesting a transfer application fee waiver.

How do I pay my admissions application fee?

The $85 admissions application processing fee can be paid online through the online application system (either the Common Application or the Coalition Application, Powered by Scoir). Please note that the Common Application and Coalition Application, Powered by Scoir, websites are operated independently, and their respective offices are better able to assist you with specific logistical issues you may encounter while submitting the application forms or your fee through their sites.

You may also send a check drawn on a US bank in US dollars to: Harvard College Admissions 86 Brattle Street Cambridge, MA 02138.  Please be sure to write the name and date of birth of the applicant on the check.

We are committed to making the application process accessible for all students. If the admissions application fee presents a hardship for you or your family, the fee will be waived. You can request a fee waiver. Please follow these instructions to learn how to get your fee waived .

Is it possible to get a receipt for my application fee?

If you paid the fee online, your e-mail confirmation is your receipt. If you paid by check, your cancelled check (or image sent by your bank) is your receipt. We do not send any other acknowledgment of payment. If payment is missing, we will contact you. Important note: Payments are tracked only by Harvard's database. Please disregard any notification of payment status posted on the Common Application or Coalition Application website.

Can transfer students receive an application fee waiver?

We are committed to making the application process accessible for all students. If the admissions application fee presents a hardship for you or your family, the fee will be waived. You can request a fee waiver directly through the Common Application or the Coalition application if you meet their respective indicators of economic need. If you do not meet these indicators, please email [email protected] to request a fee waiver.

Early Action

I am applying to colleges outside of the u.s. may i apply to them at the same time as i apply restrictive early action to harvard, may i apply to another college under its regular decision plan before i receive harvard's decision on my restrictive early action application.

In the case of a Regular Decision program with no early consideration of any kind, you may apply at any point before their deadline.

In the case of early deadlines for special considerations, you may apply for scholarships or special academic programs with an early deadline at another institution, public or private, if the timing is proven to be a necessary aspect for consideration, and the outcome is non-binding. 

Why was my application deferred?

Competition for early admission to Harvard College has, in recent years, been especially rigorous. Given that more than 60,000 candidates apply from around the world, and the relatively modest size of each entering class (about 1,650 students), the Admissions Committee must act with great care in making Restrictive Early Action Decisions. As a result, many strong applicants are deferred to the Regular Decision round for review.

I was deferred. Is there really any chance that I still can be admitted?

It is impossible to predict individual admission decisions. Past students whose applications were deferred have been admitted at various rates, often approximating the rate for Regular Decision candidates. Over the next few months, your application will be reviewed again, supplying another opportunity for eventual admission.

I was deferred. What can I do to improve my chances of admission?

In most cases, the essential details are already on file with the Admissions Committee. Additional information (sent via the Applicant Portal ) should be limited to significant developments in your high school career. We will also expect to receive your Midyear School Report no later than February 1.

Do I need to communicate directly with the admissions staff member who read my file about my deferral?

Despite what you may hear or read elsewhere, no; this is wholly unnecessary. Our decisions are made by a committee of admission officers, including faculty members, no single one of whom is responsible for shaping the outcome of deliberations.

Can I apply via rolling admission to another university if I want to apply Restrictive Early Action to Harvard?

If you intend on applying REA to Harvard, you may not apply rolling admission to a private university until after REA decisions are released, but you may apply rolling admission to a public or international university if the decision is non-binding.

If I apply restrictive early action to Harvard, may I apply to another private college's early action program (restrictive or not)?

No. However, you may apply Early Action to any public college/university or to universities outside the U.S.

If I apply restrictive early action to Harvard, may I apply to another college's early decision program?

You cannot apply to another college’s binding early decision program until we have released Restrictive Early Action (REA) decisions in mid-December. After students receive Harvard's REA notifications, including a deferral, they are free to apply to any institution under any plan, including binding programs such as Early Decision II. 

You may apply for scholarships or special academic programs with an early deadline at another institution, public or private, if the timing is proven to be a necessary aspect for consideration, and the outcome is non-binding.   

Does Harvard superscore test results?

We do not create superscores for applicants. We will evaluate your application noting the highest test scores in each section across test dates for the SAT and your strongest sitting for the ACT.  We take into account your educational background when reviewing your scores.

You may choose to send your ACT superscores to Harvard. When you do so, we will also receive the full results from your best sitting, including highest composite from a single test date. 

Can I self-report my test scores?

Yes. Applicants may provide self-reported test scores. Admitted students who self-report SAT and ACT scores and decide to enroll at Harvard College will be required to submit official SAT and ACT test scores upon enrolling. Other test scores will be reviewed through the final transcript review process. View our application tips for specific information on how to self-report your scores.

If you were eligible for a fee waiver from the SAT or ACT, you are eligible for unlimited free score reports to be sent to institutions to which you are applying.  We recommend you use your free score reports to share your scores with Harvard. 

How will Harvard evaluate the new digital SAT?

The College Board's shift to a digital delivery of the SAT will not impact the way in which Harvard reviews test scores within applications. Please  visit the College Board FAQs  for more information.  

How should I prepare for standardized tests?

Our admissions committee understands that opportunities to prepare for standardized tests vary greatly for students of different socioeconomic backgrounds. You may find it helpful to utilize free-test prep from Khan Academy or join a free SAT bootcamp on Schoolhouse.world. The ACT and College Board provide sample tests to practice.  Such free programs could help students from under-resourced schools by providing the academic tools that will serve them well on standardized tests and also in college. Students can also do well by studying widely and deeply  on their own with the help of family, school, or community organizations.

Khan Academy

Schoolhouse.world

What if I do not have access to SAT or ACT testing in my hometown or home country? What if it would be a financial hardship for me to access a SAT or ACT test site elsewhere?

The Admissions Committee does not expect applicants to go to extraordinary measures to access SAT or ACT test sites. If students attend schools that offer SAT or ACT testing onsite, or live or attend schools close to accessible test sites, we will expect them to take the tests and submit scores with their Harvard application. However, if students do not have access to nearby test sites, the Admissions Committee still welcomes applications from these students. We encourage students in that situation to submit results from other standardized tests to which they have greater access. For instance, students lacking access to the SAT or ACT may submit AP results/IB/GCSE/A-level/other national leaving exam predictions or results.

What if it would be a financial hardship to register for the test?

If the cost of taking the SAT or ACT is of concern, keep in mind that both the College Board and ACT provide fee waivers to some domestic students from low-income families. Students who are non-US citizens attending secondary schools outside the US are not typically eligible for SAT or ACT fee waivers. If applicants are ineligible for fee waivers, but still face financial hardship in paying for a SAT or ACT, the Admissions Committee still encourages these students to apply. We encourage students in this situation to take and submit results from other standardized tests to which they have greater access. For instance, students lacking access to the SAT or ACT may submit AP results or IB/GCSE/A-level/other national leaving exam predictions or results.

Why did Harvard decide to require standardized testing again?

The decision to return to requiring testing was motivated by a number of important new insights, including research led by Harvard faculty members that confirms the role of standardized testing to help predict college and post-college success for students, including those from less-resourced backgrounds, particularly when considered together with other academic credentials. We also know that, when given the choice, many applicants choose not to submit scores. This can disadvantage some students, including low-income and minority applicants, who also may be disadvantaged in other aspects of their application because of lack of academic opportunity.

More information about an applicant, especially such strongly predictive information, can be valuable. Reinstating a testing requirement will bring important and consistent information back into the admissions process. In Harvard’s whole-person review process, testing is just one data point among many considered carefully with the expertise of the admissions committee.

We recognize that this requirement brings certain challenges. Access to testing should never prevent a student from applying to Harvard. In addition to providing alternative test options for those who cannot access the SAT or ACT, Harvard College Admissions provides information on sources for no-cost tutoring and test preparation .

Which standardized tests does Harvard require?

Harvard will accept the SAT or ACT to meet the standardized testing requirement. In exceptional cases, when those are not accessible for a student, one of the following can meet the requirement:

• AP exam results 
• IB Actual or Predicted Scores
• GCSE/A-Level Actual or Predicted Results
• National Leaving Exams Results or Predictions

English language proficiency examinations such as the TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo cannot be used to meet the standardized testing requirement, though students are welcome to submit them for review as part of their application materials.   Students may self report their standardized test scores.  If the cost of taking the SAT or ACT is of concern, keep in mind that both the College Board and ACT provide fee waivers to some domestic students from low-income families. Students who are non-US citizens attending secondary schools outside the US are not typically eligible for SAT or ACT fee waivers. If applicants are ineligible for fee waivers, but still face financial hardship in paying for a SAT or ACT, the Admissions Committee still encourages these students to apply. We encourage students in this situation to take and submit results from other standardized tests to which they have greater access. For instance, students lacking access to the SAT or ACT may submit AP or GCSE results, IB/A-level/other national leaving exam predictions or results.

How will the Admissions Committee evaluate my test scores?

When reading an application, the Admissions Committee reviews test scores, along with all other aspects of the application, to get to know the person behind the numbers. Harvard has found that SAT and ACT scores are  the best predictors of Harvard grades. The Committee also understands that SAT and ACT tests are one aspect of a student’s application.

Admissions officers take into consideration that not all students attend well-resourced schools throughout their lives, and that those who come from modest economic backgrounds or first-generation college families may have had fewer opportunities to prepare for standardized tests. Each application to Harvard is read with great care, keeping in mind the context of a student’s high school and community and in recognition that talent is everywhere, but opportunity and access are not.  

What if English is not my first language?

A strong knowledge of English is essential for successful study at Harvard, including the ability to understand and express thoughts quickly and clearly. Throughout the application, we will look for evidence that an applicant has the necessary English language proficiency. We do not require the TOEFL or other English language exams, but students may choose to submit their results.

What if I am a military veteran and never took the SAT or ACT?

The Admissions Committee does not expect applicants to go to extraordinary measures to access the SAT or ACT test. The Committee welcomes applications from military veterans who may not have taken the SAT or ACT while they were in high school. We encourage students in this situation to submit results from other standardized tests to which they may have had access. For instance, students may submit AP results or results from other standardized tests taken in school.

Does Harvard consider scores from previous administrations of the SAT or ACT?

Do i need a minimum required sat or act score.

The Admissions Committee does not have testing cutoffs for applicants. All completed applications are read and carefully considered by the committee. Testing is one academic factor among many that the committee considers in relation to the norms of a student’s high school.

In the last year that Harvard required testing, the range (10th percentile to 90th percentile) of SAT scores for enrolling students was 670 to 790 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 680 to 800 for Math.  The range (10th percentile to 90th percentile) of ACT Composite scores was 31 to 36.  

If I take the ACT and/or SAT more than once, which results does Harvard consider?

We consider your best test scores, but it is the general experience that taking tests more than twice offers diminishing returns.

Does Harvard admit students to enter in the spring semester?

No. All students begin study in September to benefit from special programs designed for freshmen.

Are there quotas for certain kinds of applicants?

The Admissions Committee does not use quotas of any kind.

Is there a separate admissions process for prospective athletes?

No. We encourage students with athletic talent to contact our Athletic Department for information about any of Harvard's 42 varsity athletic teams.

What should students know about visas?

Admitted international students will be provided with information about applying for a student visa.

Are my chances of admission enhanced by submitting application materials before other applicants?

No. The deadlines are November 1 for Restrictive Early Action and January 1 for Regular Decision.

I have a bachelor's degree. May I apply to Harvard College?

No student with a bachelor's degree or other first university degree from any other university, whether American or foreign, is eligible for admission to Harvard College. Students interested in continuing their studies beyond the bachelor's degree might wish to consider one of the 12 Harvard University graduate schools . The Harvard College Admissions Office is independent of these schools and their admissions policies.

May I defer my admission once admitted?

Yes. Students admitted in the Early Action and Regular Decision rounds can choose to defer their admission by selecting the "I defer" option in their admitted student reply form.

We want to do everything possible to help the students we enroll make the most of their opportunities, avoiding the much reported "burnout" phenomenon that can keep them from reaching their full potential. Our overall graduation rate of 98%, among the highest in the nation, is perhaps due in part to the fact that so many students take time off, before or during college.

The admissions committee encourages admitted students to defer enrollment for one year to travel, pursue a special project or activity, work, or spend time in another meaningful way - provided they do not enroll in a degree-granting program at another college. Deferrals for two years are also considered for such purposes as military or religious service or under other unique circumstances, and subject to the approval of the admissions committee.

Each year, between 90 and 130 students defer their matriculation to the College, and they report their experiences to be uniformly positive. After graduation, large numbers of Harvard students take time off before beginning work or graduate school. Read more about taking time off .

If a student has already replied as enrolling, but has since changed their mind and would like to defer, they may contact the Admissions Office or submit the Request to Defer form on the Admitted Students Website explaining the request for a deferral as soon as possible and in any event by the end of June.

What admissions criteria do you use?

There is no formula for gaining admission to Harvard. Academic accomplishment in high school is important, but the Admissions Committee also considers many other criteria, such as community involvement, leadership and distinction in extracurricular activities, and personal qualities and character. We rely on teachers, counselors, and alumni to share information with us about an applicant's strength of character, their ability to overcome adversity, and other personal qualities.

May I apply to Harvard if I am admitted under a binding Early Decision program at another college?

No. If you are admitted under an Early Decision program at another college, you must withdraw any pending application to Harvard and you are not eligible for admission.

How familiar is the Admissions Committee with secondary schools? Their rigor? What marks mean in a particular school or educational system?

We have worked hard for many years to learn about schools around the world. Our careful study of different schools, curricula and educational systems is augmented by information we receive directly from schools, extensive personal communication with school personnel, and the interview reports we receive from our alumni, who meet thousands of applicants to Harvard each year. We can always learn more, so we welcome information students think might be helpful to the Admissions Committee in understanding their accomplishments in their school communities.

Does Harvard consider legal immigration status in the admissions process?

All students are considered in the same pool for admission to the incoming class regardless of citizenship status. While being undocumented may present challenges for students wishing to travel or work on campus, immigration status is not considered by the admissions committee.

Does Harvard rank secondary schools in the U.S. and abroad?

No. While we understand there are differences in the overall strengths of secondary schools, we are most interested in how well applicants have taken advantage of available resources. In the end, we admit the student not the secondary school they attend.

Can I (as an applicant) write about my race/ethnicity in my application materials? Can I (as a counselor or teacher) write about a student’s race/ethnicity in my letter of recommendation?

Just as in previous admissions cycles, applicants and those writing on behalf of applicants should feel welcome to write about any aspect of the applicant’s identity or background, including race and/or ethnicity. You do not have to withhold any information in any part of the application (e.g. extracurricular list, personal essay, Harvard’s supplemental questions , letters of recommendation, etc.) because of the Supreme Court’s decision regarding affirmative action. As the applicant, you are welcome to check the race/ethnicity boxes when completing the application, though that information will not be shared in the transmission of application data for review. As our admissions committee members review applications, it is incumbent on our staff to comply with the ruling of the Supreme Court in which we cannot consider race/ethnicity in our review of applications.

Who should write my recommendations?

Teachers who know you well and who have taught you in academic subjects (preferably in the final two years of secondary school) typically will provide us with the most valuable testimony. Whenever possible, teachers should tell us about your non-academic interests and personal qualities as well as academic potential.

Who reads applications?

Applications are read by members of the forty-person Admissions Committee, and are considered very carefully in a series of committee meetings where a majority vote is required for admission. The entire process requires several months.

Is there a wait list?

Yes. Our wait list includes the applicants whom the Committee might still wish to consider for admission if spots in the entering class open later. The wait list is not ranked. In some years, we have admitted no one from the wait list; in others, we have admitted more than 200 candidates.

Are my chances of admission enhanced if a relative has attended Harvard?

The application process is the same for all candidates. Among a group of similarly distinguished applicants, the children of Harvard College alumni/ae may receive an additional look.

Is there an age requirement for applying to Harvard?

There is not an age requirement for applying to Harvard, though applicants are expected to have some secondary school experience.

What if I have completed most or all of my secondary school coursework through self-study?

Harvard College's academic program emphasizes in-person peer engagement and student-faculty interactions. For the Admissions Committee to make the best assessment of an applicant's ability to succeed at Harvard, we encourage self-study applicants to submit third-party confirmation of their knowledge and learning behaviors. These documents can include course certificates, publications, patent registrations, and/or letters of recommendation from academic mentors or teachers.

What is included in the Harvard supplement?

The supplement includes five required short-answer questions, each with a 200 word limit. We want to ensure that every student has the same opportunity to reflect on and share how their life experiences and academic and extracurricular activities shaped them, how they will engage with others at Harvard, and their aspirations for the future. Our continued focus is on considering the whole student in the admissions process and how they have interacted with the world.

• Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a diverse student body. How will the life experiences that shape who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard?
• Briefly describe an intellectual experience that was important to you.
• Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are.
• How do you hope to use your Harvard education in the future?
• Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.

If my curriculum requires more than the 12-year U.S. curriculum, may I apply after my twelfth year?

We strongly recommend you complete whichever curriculum you have been following. Applicants who have completed only a year of GCE A-levels or International Baccalaureate study, for instance, are at a tremendous disadvantage in our applicant pool.

How important are extracurricular activities in admissions decisions?

Each case is different. Some students distinguish themselves for admission with their unusual academic promise through experience or achievements in study or research. Other students present compelling cases because they are more "well-rounded," having contributed in many different ways to their schools or communities. Still other successful applicants are "well-lopsided" with demonstrated excellence in one particular endeavor. Some students bring perspectives formed by unusual personal circumstances or experiences. Like many colleges, we seek to admit dynamic, talented, and diverse students who will contribute significantly to the education of their classmates.

Are there secondary school course requirements for admission?

There is no single academic path we expect all students to follow, but the strongest applicants take the most rigorous secondary school curricula available to them. An ideal four-year preparatory program includes four years of English, with extensive practice in writing; four years of math*; four years of science: biology, chemistry, physics, and an advanced course in one of these subjects; three years of history, including American and European history; and four years of one foreign language.

*​​Applicants to Harvard should excel in a challenging high school math sequence corresponding to their educational interests and aspirations. We recommend that applicants take four years of math courses in high school. Ideally, these math courses will focus on conceptual understanding, promote higher-order thinking, and encourage students to use mathematical reasoning to critically examine the world. Examples include rigorous and relevant courses in computer science, statistics and its subfields, mathematical modeling, calculus, and other advanced math subjects.

Students’ math records are viewed holistically, and no specific course is required. Specifically, calculus is not a requirement for admission to Harvard. We understand that applicants do not have the same opportunities and course offerings in their high schools. Moreover, many programs of study at Harvard do not require knowledge of calculus. We encourage applicants to take the courses that are available to them and aligned with their interests and goals.

Students intending to study engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, statistics or other fields where calculus is needed may benefit from taking calculus in high school. However, students at Harvard can still pursue such fields by starting with one of our introductory calculus classes that has no high school calculus prerequisite. On balance, we encourage all students to master foundational mathematical material instead of rushing through any of the more advanced courses.

Will it help me to take advanced, accelerated or honors courses?

Yes. Although schools provide different opportunities, students should pursue the most demanding college-preparatory program available, consistent with each student's readiness for particular fields of study. Counselors can offer helpful advice as students choose their courses.

Do I need certain grades or marks to be considered for admission?

We recognize that schools vary by size, academic program, and grading policies, so we do not have rigid grade requirements. There is no single academic path we expect all students to follow, but the strongest applicants take the most rigorous secondary school curricula available to them. We do seek students who achieve at a high level, and most admitted students rank in the top 10-15% of their graduating classes.

Submitted Applications

I applied under restrictive early action, but i would like to be considered under regular decision. can i change my application (or, i applied under regular decision and would like to be considered under restrictive early action.).

To change your application program, use the form in your Applicant Portal . You do not need to submit a new application; your submitted materials will simply be reviewed on a different time-table.

I reported my SAT scores to Harvard, but my status page says they haven’t been received. Why?

Though you may have ordered your scores, it can sometimes take a couple of weeks for your scores to be officially sent and processed in our office. If your official scores do not show in your status page after a couple of weeks, please double check with the testing agency to make sure they were sent. Once you have confirmed the delivery, please check the name and personal information used on your scores. If this varies, even slightly, from what you have listed on your application, your scores will be automatically stored in a separate entry in our database. If this is the case, you can send an email to [email protected] listing the discrepancy in your name/info, and your scores will be merged with your application file.

I did not receive a PIN to access the applicant portal. Can I get a new one?

When you submitted your application, we sent a confirmation email to the email address you listed on your application that included a PIN to access the applicant portal and create your own password. However, these e-mails are sent out in bulk from [email protected] or [email protected] , so please check your spam/junk folder. We begin sending application acknowledgement emails in mid-September, so if you applied before then, please wait to receive this email from us before contacting our office.

If you have checked your email inbox and your spam folder, and you are still unable to find your application acknowledgement email, please contact the Admissions Office so that we can re-send it to you.

I submitted something by mistake. Can you remove it from my file?

Unfortunately, we are not able to remove materials from your file after they have been submitted. However, you may write an explanation of the materials that have been submitted by mistake and/or why you’d like them to be removed, and we will add this new information to your file.

I submitted the application, but I no longer want to be considered for admission. Can I withdraw my application?

You may withdraw your application using the withdrawal form in the Applicant Portal . You may also send an email to [email protected] with the subject line: Withdraw Application. Please be sure to write from the email address you used on the Common Application. We are not able to withdraw an application based on a request from someone other than the applicant.

What if my supplement wasn't submitted?

If you discover that your supplement was not submitted with your application, please log into your applicant portal and use the material uploader tool to upload your supplement (in a word doc or PDF).

Have my application materials been received? (Including Common Application forms, or supplemental materials)

Upon receipt of your application, we will send you a confirmation email with instructions on how to access the  Applicant Portal . This portal allows you to view your record in our applicant database, to see which pieces of your application we've received and processed, and to make other changes to your application.

The data is updated nightly from the main admissions database and has the most up-to-date information available from our office. If you have sent us required materials that are shown in your status as not received, it is possible that those documents are being processed (along with thousands of others) in our office and simply have not yet made it to your file. Though we can not track each individual's materials upon request, we will conduct a thorough scrutiny of all files prior to committee evaluations. You will be contacted if you are missing required documents, and you will be given the opportunity to re-submit them without penalty.

Can I add to or change something I wrote on my Common Application forms?

Unfortunately, you are not able to add to or change the Common Application forms after they have been submitted. However, you may upload additional information and materials using the Applicant Portal.

My contact information has changed since I submitted my application. How can I correct it?

You can update your contact information on the Applicant Status Portal . If you need to update information that is not available on the Portal, please contact [email protected] .

How can I add new accomplishments/awards/accolades to my submitted application?

We understand that you might receive new recognitions or awards after you’ve submitted your application. We welcome the submission of this additional notable information. You may upload information about notable accomplishments and awards using the Applicant Portal .

I submitted my application, but did not receive a confirmation email from Harvard. How do I know if you received it?

We begin processing applications in September, and we confirm the receipt of each application to each applicant via email. Most applicants receive their application acknowledgement email the day after they submit their application (if it was submitted online). If you have submitted your application more than 2 weeks ago, and still have not received a confirmation email from us, it is likely that our email was undeliverable for some reason. Please check to make sure that your email account settings allow emails from [email protected] and [email protected] . Also, please check any filtered mailboxes for spam/junk email to see if your confirmation was filtered there.

If you are still unable to locate your confirmation, it is possible that we have not received your application. If you submitted your application through the Common Application or Coalition Application, Powered by Scoir, please make sure that you have clicked the button to "Submit" and not just "Save."

Once you have made sure that you have actually submitted your application and still have no confirmation, please send us an email with your full name, date of birth, and school. Let us know when you submitted your application and how, so that we may consult our records accordingly.

Financial Aid: General

Challenging circumstances, can i apply for harvard's financial aid independently of my parents.

No, in 99% of the cases. We feel strongly that your parents have an obligation to help finance your college education. Our aid is available only to students whose families would not otherwise be able to send them to Harvard.

What if my parents refuse to pay for my college education?

To be fair to all our students, we can base our financial aid decisions only on ability and not willingness to pay, and a decision to attend Harvard must be made by you and your parents. Please contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss this further if you have questions or concerns.

What if my family's financial situation changes while I am attending Harvard?

You may request a review of your financial aid decision at any time to accommodate significant changes in your family's financial situation. You must apply for financial aid each year. We will meet your demonstrated need for all four years.

Cost of Attendance

What’s the difference between “room and board” and “housing and food”.

For many years we have used the term “room” to represent the cost of housing at Harvard, and “board” to represent the cost of the meal plan. Students were charged “room” and “board” fees as part of their student term bill, and received aid towards “room and board” costs. The Department of Education has asked that schools change this language to “housing” and “food” costs. This is simply a language change meant to make costs clearer and easier to understand; there has been no change to how housing or meals work at Harvard, or to the amounts charged and used in financial aid calculations.

What is the “books and supplies” portion of my financial aid package?

The cost of attendance used in calculating financial aid packages includes a standard estimate of what you will spend on books, course materials, supplies, and equipment. This is an ‘unbilled’ or ‘out-of-pocket’ expense, meaning that you will purchase your own books and supplies – you will not see a charge for books and supplies on your term bill.

Why is my personal expenses estimate lower this year?

The cost of attendance used in calculating financial aid packages has, for many years, included a standard personal expenses allowance, meant to represent what you will spend on out-of-pocket costs like books and supplies, toiletries, laundry, entertainment etc. Starting in the 23-24 school year, we have split this expense into a “books and supplies” category, and a “personal expenses” category, in order to be clearer about what students may spend on books, course materials, supplies, and equipment. There has been no change to how these items work in your financial aid package – this is simply a language change.

Am I required to work if I am an international student and I qualify for financial aid?

There is no requirement to work. However, all students, international or American, who demonstrate financial need will have a student term-time work expectation as part of their financial aid package, which they can typically meet with a job requiring about 10-12 hours per week. U.S. immigration regulations allow foreign nationals to work on-campus only, and they restrict the amount of time a foreign student can spend working while attending college (10-12 hours per week is well under their limit). Jobs are plentiful and are often interesting and relevant to academic interests.

Is it easy to find a student job on or near campus?

Jobs are plentiful at Harvard. Employment opportunities range from dining hall duties to work in the University's libraries, laboratories, and offices. Students have also earned money on campus as bartenders, teaching assistants, sportswriters, computer programmers, lifeguards and research assistants, to cite a few examples. Working eight to twelve hours on average per week, most students find that they can work, excel academically, and participate in a range of extracurricular activities. Read more at our Student Employment Office website.

What is the Federal Work-Study Program (FWSP)?

When you apply for aid, your financial aid package will indicate your eligibility for the Federal Work-Study Program (FWSP). The Federal Work-Study Program subsidizes the wages of eligible students, making them particularly attractive to employers. If you are eligible, you will be able to work in FWSP-designated jobs at the University (and sometimes off campus as well). FWSP funds are available for both term-time and summer employment. Browse the Student Employment Office jobs database for FWSP eligible jobs.

What is a Term-Time Work Expectation?

The term-time work expectation listed on your award letter is the amount of earnings during the academic year that we expect you to contribute toward your college costs. All earnings are paid directly to you, and it will be your responsibility to determine what portion of your earnings will be used towards billed (tuition, fees, housing and food, etc.) and/or non-billed (transportation and personal expenses, etc.) expenses. Students can work while at Harvard, but only some students are eligible for the Federal Work-Study Program (FWSP). Your financial aid letter will designate whether you can work in a job funded by FWSP or need to focus your job search on positions not funded by the program. Please note: You may request a student loan to replace or supplement part or all of a job expectation (term-time or FWSP). To request a loan, use the Loan Request Form .

Where can I find parent financing information?

Many of our families find parent loans to be a useful tool for spreading the cost of education over a number of years. Parents may borrow up to the full cost of education, less any other financial aid. Parent loans are not based on financial need, and there are no income restrictions or penalties for early repayment. Harvard processes PLUS loans directly with the U.S. Department of Education through the Federal Direct Lending Program, without the need for banks and for-profit lenders. However, your financing options are not limited to the parent PLUS loan; you and your family may borrow from any lender you choose.

Are loans available if I choose not to work?

Most students do choose to work. If you will have heavy extracurricular demands on your time (such as playing football in the fall or acting in a spring drama production), you could choose to meet the job expectation partially or completely through student loans.

Outside Awards

How are funds i receive from my parents' employers (such as faculty tuition benefits or employer paid tuition assistance) factored into my financial aid package.

Tuition benefits that you receive from your parents' employers meant for your educational costs would be considered outside awards and would be factored into your financial aid package following our outside award policy . Funds from outside awards are incorporated into your financial aid package in two steps:

• First to replace the term-time job expectation.
• If you have outside awards that exceed your term-time work expectation the remaining amount would replace an equal amount of Harvard scholarship.

Since outside awards are additional resources that reduce your financial need, they cannot be used to replace your parent contribution.

How are funds I receive from organizations like National Merit, the Gates Scholars Program, and Jack Kent Cooke factored into my financial aid package?

Funds from outside organizations meant for your educational costs would be considered outside awards and would be factored into your financial aid package following our outside award policy . Funds from outside awards are incorporated into your financial aid package in two steps:

How are funds I receive from programs like ROTC factored into my financial aid package?

What is considered an outside award.

In assessing your financial need, we first look at your family’s particular income and assets in order to come up with a student and parent contribution based on your individual financial need. Any funds that you receive from an organization outside your family that are intended for your educational expenses would be considered outside awards. Since outside awards are additional resources that reduce your financial need, they cannot be used to replace your parent contribution (which was calculated based on your parents’ income and assets).

Here are some examples of outside awards:

• Funds from your secondary school
• Funds from city, state, or national organizations
• Funds from nonprofit organizations and businesses
• Funds from your parents’ employers
• Funds from government scholarships like ROTC

If the funds are meant to pay for your educational expenses, they are outside awards and will be incorporated into your financial aid package according to our outside award policy . You Harvard scholarship funding is not an outside award. Student wages, thesis grants, summer research grants, and other similar grants are not outside awards, since they are not directly meant to pay your standard cost of attendance. If you are receiving funding from an outside organization and are unclear of how to report it, please contact us and we’ll let you know.

What happens to my financial aid award if I receive additional outside assistance?

A large percentage of each entering first-year class receives one or more outside awards from national or local organizations. When adjusting the Harvard financial aid package, 100% of the total outside award amount is first deducted from your work expectation. If the total of outside awards exceeds your work expectation, that excess amount is deducted from the Harvard Scholarship. Since outside awards are additional resources that help to meet need, they may not be used to replace your parents' contribution or other expected family resource. For example, if you were originally offered a financial aid package with a $3,500 job, and a $15,000 Harvard Scholarship and subsequently receive a $2,000 National Merit award and $1,000 from the Elks Club, then we will reduce your term-time job expectation to $500. Only if outside awards exceeded $3,500 would they have any impact upon the amount of Harvard Scholarship.

What do I need to do to report outside award(s)?

If you expect to receive an outside scholarship that is not reflected on your award letter, including tuition benefits from parents’ employers, you should report it to the Financial Aid Office by visiting the Outside Award Reporting System (OARS) . This is found under the Financial Aid tab of your My.Harvard student portal. We will adjust the financial aid package to reflect the receipt of additional resources.

Where should I send outside award checks?

Checks are processed by the Student Accounts Office (not the Financial Aid Office). Please send your checks to:

Student Accounts Office Attn: Outside Awards 801 Smith Campus Center 1350 Massachusetts Ave. Cambridge, MA 02138 617-495-2739  

Where should I send Cost of Attendance or Verification of Enrollment forms?

If an outside organization is requiring you to have a Cost of Attendance or Verification of Enrollment form signed by an official at Harvard, please use the following:

Cost of Attendance Forms:

Harvard College Griffin Financial Aid Office Attn: Outside Award Coordinator 86 Brattle Street Cambridge, MA 02138

Verification of Enrollment:

Please visit the website of the Office of the Registrar .  

Where do I request a refund from my term bill account?

You may request a refund here .

Financial Aid Application

Fafsa simplification, what is fafsa simplification.

The federal government has passed legislation to significantly change the FAFSA with the goal of making the FAFSA easier and faster to complete. You can read more about FAFSA Simplification on the Federal Student Aid website .

How will FAFSA Simplification affect financial aid deadlines?

The FAFSA is usually available starting October 1, and we usually ask Early Action applicants to submit the FAFSA by November 1. Based on significant changes to the 24-25 FAFSA made by the Department of Education, the 24-25 FAFSA did not open until late December 2023. For this reason, we have not asked Early Action applicants to submit the 24-25 FAFSA until February 1, 2024. There are no changes to Regular Action or Transfer application deadlines, nor to the deadlines for current Harvard students.

Will FAFSA Simplification change my aid eligibility?

The FAFSA determines your eligibility for federal and state financial aid, including the Pell Grant, Federal Work-Study funds, and subsidized federal student loans. While the new methodology may change your eligibility for federal financial aid, it does not determine your eligibility for aid from Harvard. At Harvard, we will continue to use our own methodology to determine your eligibility for our need-based financial aid (read more about this in our How Aid Works section ). We first determine a family contribution, based on your family’s financial circumstances, and then meet your full financial need using Harvard’s funds as well as any federal or state funds for which you are eligible.

What will change about my Early Action financial aid estimate after I submit my FAFSA?

If you are admitted to Harvard during Early Action and have met your financial aid deadlines, you will receive an estimated financial aid decision around the time you receive your admissions decision. This will include a parent and student contribution, an estimated cost of attendance (which will be updated in the Spring when tuition and fees have been set for 24-25), and your total eligibility for grant aid. When we have received and processed your FAFSA, we will update this grant eligibility to break out funding from Harvard, federal, and state sources. Since we use our own methodology to determine your parent and student contribution, this will in most cases not change these parts of your financial aid package. If the information on your FAFSA conflicts with information submitted on the rest of your application materials (for example, if you report an investment account that you forgot to include on the CSS Profile), we will reach out to resolve these differences and may update your financial aid decision if the updated information changes your eligibility for financial aid.

Since the FAFSA determines your eligibility for Federal Work-Study funding and subsidized federal student loans, we will also update you on your eligibility for these programs after your FAFSA has been submitted and reviewed.

We expect to send out finalized financial aid decisions around April 1 to students who meet the listed financial aid deadlines. Late applications will be reviewed as soon as possible after this point.

CSS Profile

What should i do if i make a mistake on the css profile.

We understand that the tax numbers on the Profile may be estimates and will update them with your actual taxes when those arrive through IDOC. If you have major changes or corrections to make beyond those that will be automatically updated by your tax returns, you can update your Profile application once by clicking “Correct Your CSS Profile” on your CSS Profile Dashboard.

Should I complete the CSS Profile even if my family has not yet filed our current year tax returns?

Yes. You and your parents should use the income information on your W-2 forms or paycheck stubs to estimate the figures that will appear on your tax returns. Such estimates are perfectly acceptable for all students.

How will I know that the CSS Profile has been submitted correctly?

You will receive an email confirmation from the College Board after the CSS Profile has been submitted.

What do I do if I have already filed my CSS Profile, but other documents are missing from my financial aid application?

You should have received an email from the College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service ( IDOC ) providing you with instructions on how to submit your tax forms and any other supplemental forms that may be required. All requested documents, should be uploaded to IDOC .

What if I am a foreign citizen who is unable to submit a CSS Profile online?

The CSS Profile is available to students from nearly every country and nationality. The College Board is unable to process payments from a small number of countries, and so students from these countries may not be able to submit the CSS Profile. If this is the case for you, please follow this alternate set of instructions to apply for financial aid.

Can foreign students use the CSS Profile?

Yes! That is actually the best form to use.

Do I need to do both the CSS Profile AND the Financial Statement for Students from Foreign Countries?

No. Those two forms are interchangeable. If you are able do the CSS Profile, it is the preferred form.

What is Harvard’s School Code for the CSS Profile?

Our CSS Profile code is 3434.

Divorced/Separated

What should i do if the css profile from noncustodial household is missing.

If your parents are divorced or separated, each household must fill out their own CSS Profile. You should direct your second parent to complete the CSS Profile online. If you are an international student and chose to file the paper Financial Statement for Students from Foreign Countries, please have your noncustodial parent to complete and submit a separate form along with their most recent tax return or wage statement.

What if I cannot ask one of my parents to send in their financial information?

If you are unable to ask a parent to send in their financial information, please fill out a Parent Information Sheet including a letter from a third party and any additional documentation as appropriate. Given that every family situation is unique, we review parent and household information on a case-by-case basis to determine what documentation and paperwork is appropriate for that student to provide to us in an effort to be as generous as possible with our financial aid assessment. Since we do not review financial information until a positive admissions decision has been made, we cannot make a judgment call on the documentation required until that point in the process. Please rest assured that our financial aid application deadlines are flexible and that we will be in direct touch with the student, should a positive admissions decision be made and the financial aid application is incomplete.

Who can help me troubleshoot technical difficulties with the FAFSA?

The Department of Education maintains and supports the FAFSA. You can find their help page at https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/help , and you can find a list of contact centers at https://studentaid.gov/help-center/contact . You can contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center by phone at 1-800-433-3243.

What should I do if I make a mistake on the FAFSA?

You may log back in to the FAFSA website, change the erroneous information, and resubmit the FAFSA.

Should I complete the FAFSA even if my family has not yet filed our current tax returns?

We would prefer that you wait to file your FAFSA until your taxes are complete. If at all possible, please use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to complete the FAFSA. However, if the application deadline is near, you should file the FAFSA using estimates.

How will I know that the FAFSA has been submitted correctly?

You can check the status of your FAFSA here . Please allow one week for processing an online signature, and three weeks for processing a paper signature page.

I'm a Canadian citizen; do I have to file a FAFSA?

No, only US Citizens and Eligible Permanent Residents should file the FAFSA. (If you are a citizen of both the US and Canada, you should file a FAFSA.)

What is Harvard’s Federal School Code for the FAFSA?

Our Federal School Code for the FAFSA is E00468.

What is the College Board Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC)?

IDOC is a service provided by the College Board which families use to securely submit financial aid application documentation. Applicants who fill out the CSS Profile form are able to submit taxes and other relevant forms to IDOC. You can learn more here .

How will I know that my IDOC materials have been submitted correctly?

Sign in here. Please allow five or more business days for processing. Remember that the staff at IDOC are only trained to identify basic US tax documents and these are the only ones that will show up on IDOC's tracking. If you have read through our application instructions and submitted what we ask for, then you should not worry about whether IDOC has been able to correctly identify and track your documents. Our staff will review the IDOC materials for all admitted students and current undergraduates to make sure your submissions fulfill our requirements and will reach out if there is anything more we need.

I can't pay the Profile fee because the US won't accept credit card payments from my country.

Please follow these alternate instructions for applying through our paper process.

How can I get a financial aid fee waiver?

Harvard does not charge a financial aid application fee. However, the financial aid application does include submission of the CSS Profile, an application independent of Harvard but that will normally require the payment of a fee. 

For CSS Profile fee waiver requests: If you are a US Citizen or Permanent Resident you will automatically be evaluated for a waiver of the CSS Profile application fee at the point that you submit your CSS Profile data to the College Board. The College Board is wholly responsible for these fee waivers and will grant a waiver using their guidelines.  You can learn more on their website here: https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/fee-waivers .

International students for whom the cost of the CSS Profile is prohibitive or who live in countries from which the College Board cannot process payments can follow these instructions to apply through our alternate application process .

Admission application fee waiver requests are explained here: ( https://college.harvard.edu/resources/faq/paying-admissions-application-fee-hardship-my-family-can-i-get-waiver )

I can't afford the Profile fee and I'm foreign, so I can't get a College Board waiver.

Please follow our alternate instructions for applying through our paper process.

Missing Documents

How can i see what is missing/received and when.

We are not able to track financial aid application materials for prospective students until they have been admitted. If a student is admitted and indicated they wished to apply for aid, we will let them know at that point what has been received or is missing.

For current students, you can see what is missing and/or received by logging into my.harvard. We will not begin tracking documents for the next academic year until mid-February before that year starts, at which time we will post which documents are received/missing on your my.harvard.edu portal. Until that point, the documents showing on your my.harvard portal will be those from this current school year.

What should I do if my CSS Profile is missing?

Please complete your CSS Profile online. The Harvard College CSS code number is 3434. Once your CSS Profile has been completed, you will be able to use the College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC) to submit your tax forms and any other supplemental forms that may be required. Remember, it is important to provide your Social Security Number, if you have one, when you register for CSS Profile; Harvard will use this unique number to identify your data before loading any electronic records. NOTE: If you are a returning student and do not have a Social Security Number, please provide your Harvard ID number in the SSN field when you register for the CSS Profile. If you are a prospective/entering student and do not have a Social Security Number, please be sure to provide the same first, last and middle name, as well as birth date on the CSS Profile that you provided on your Harvard admissions application.

What if tax documents are missing and I have already sent my materials to IDOC?

Your parents and/or non-custodial parents should upload signed copies of their most recent federal tax return(s) with attending schedules to IDOC. Note that we will not be able to finalize your financial aid award until we receive your actual  federal tax returns with all schedules - these should also be sent to IDOC as soon as they become available.) If you are an international student and a national tax return is not filed, your parents should ask each employer to submit a wage statement detailing their annual compensation.  

What should I do if the Business/Farm Supplement is missing?

You can find the form on our website under Financial Aid Forms . Please fill out a Business/Farm Supplement for each business and/or farm in which your family has an interest or ownership.

What should I do if a Cash Flow Statement is missing?

You can download the form here . It should be submitted through your IDOC portal.

What if my student tax return is missing but I didn't file a return?

If you are not required to file a federal or national tax return, you should complete and submit a tax non-filer statement. You can find a tax non-filer statement either on our website (US students would use the federal tax non-filer statement; international students would use the international tax non-filer statement) or through your IDOC Portal.

What if my parents are unemployed or did not file a tax return?

If your parents are not required to file a federal or national tax return, they should send a signed statement listing all sources and annual amounts of income for their household. Each non-filer must print and complete a tax non-filer statement and submit it to IDOC with the rest of your application materials. IDOC also has a built-in tax non-filer statement that you are welcome to use to indicate that you or a parent did not file a tax return.

What should I do if my parents or I will be requesting an extension for filing their federal taxes?

For prospective students, we will be happy to accept your completed application for financial aid whenever it arrives. We do ask, however, that you send your 2022 tax returns to IDOC as soon as possible after they become available. You should not submit 2021 documents unless you are specifically asked for them. If you receive a positive admissions decision and still have not been able to send your 2022 tax returns, please be in touch with us after you receive your admissions decision.

For current students, please send a copy of the IRS extension application to IDOC with the rest of your application materials. Please note that we will be unable to calculate your financial aid award until we receive the actual 2022 tax return.

Can I send my tax returns directly to you?

IDOC is the best method for sending us documents, and is required for all US tax returns. IDOC is available to all students who submit a CSS Profile, whether residing in the US or abroad. Those students were unable to file a CSS Profile and who requested alternate instructions may send their foreign tax returns directly to us by mail or fax as directed by our alternate instructions. Please be sure that anything you send directly to us includes your full applicant name, applicant year, and some other unique identifier (school, birth date, etc.)

What if my country doesn't have a tax return?

You should send any documentation they do have. Many families will send a year-end wage statement, or a letter from each employer stating annual compensation.

What if I am interested only in applying for federal loans (Stafford and PLUS)?

If you do not intend to apply for need-based grant aid from Harvard but do want to apply for a Federal student or parent loan, please notify us of your intentions and submit only the FAFSA. Once we receive your FAFSA information electronically from the Department of Education, our office will notify you of your loan eligibility.

How do you determine eligibility for Harvard Scholarships?

We determine your financial aid award based solely on your family's demonstrated financial need. Our program is designed to help families across the economic spectrum, from low to upper-middle incomes. Aid is completely need-based and considers many factors, such as your family's income, assets, size, and unusual expenses. There are no merit-based awards, and we have no preferential packaging policies that give some students more attractive awards than others.

Can I email you my documents?

No. The Griffin Financial Aid Office cannot accept any documents over email. Please submit all documents as described on our application instructions .

Are there any merit-based financial aid awards at Harvard?

No, we admit students based on their strengths and talents, but all Harvard-administered aid is based only on financial need, and we treat all admitted students equally in terms of their eligibility for that aid.

How can I track material that I’ve sent your office?

For prospective students, given the tremendous volume of material sent to our office , we are unable to confirm receipt. Rest assured that if we discover we are missing necessary financial aid application materials or have any questions we will be in contact with you (by email or phone) after the student is admitted. Current and admitted students can always check the status of their application on my.harvard .

What are travel and personal expense allowances?

Travel: An allowance toward the cost of traveling to and from Harvard has been included in your budget on your award letter and used in calculating your eligibility for financial aid. You are responsible for booking and paying for your own travel. Many students will use the money they earn over the summer to meet the costs of travel to and from Harvard. Personal Expenses: The estimated cost for books, supplies, clothing, laundry, telephone, entertainment, local transportation, and other incidentals has been included in the personal expenses portion of your budget. Students generally spend between $600-$800 on books over the course of both semesters. You are responsible for paying your own personal expenses. Many of the students will use money earned at their term-time jobs to cover personal expenses.

Do my financial aid documents have to be in English?

We require English translation for all financial aid documents. Documents do not, however, need to be translated by an official translator. Most students will save the cost of paying a translator and simply write the translation directly on the documents themselves.

What should I do if my permanent address changes?

Please email us and inform us of your new address. You will also need to file a change of address with the Student Data Office in the Office of the Registrar.

I am undocumented. Am I still eligible for financial aid?

Yes. If you are undocumented you are eligible for financial aid from Harvard. Harvard makes no distinction based on citizenship in the financial aid process or in the amount of aid for which students are eligible. Undocumented students do not need to file a FAFSA since they are not eligible to apply for federal aid.

Financial aid application instructions for all students, regardless of citizenship status, can be found here .

What should I do if I am returning from a leave of absence?

Please notify our office if you are returning from a leave of absence. The same instructions and deadlines apply, regardless of whether you intend to return in the fall or spring semester. Make sure that you are current with loan repayments and that you file the necessary deferment or forbearance forms when you register. You may want to check the status of your student loans by calling the Student Loan Office at (617) 495-3782. In addition, your term bill from previous semesters must be paid in full.

What happens if my financial aid application is late?

Prospective students: Our deadlines are in place in order to ensure that we can send an aid award with our admissions decisions. We do not stop accepting applications, and a late application has no effect on your eligibility or the amount of your award. If we receive application materials late, you may simply receive your aid letter at a later date than your admission letter.

Current students: Our deadlines are in place in order to ensure we have time to process your financial aid application in time for aid to be reflected on your term bill. If we receive application materials late, you may have to wait longer to receive your financial aid decision and may need to make plans to cover your first term bill payment. While a late application has no effect on the amount of your award, we typically expect all applications to be submitted no later than August 1.

Do I need to apply for a state scholarship?

Yes, if you are a resident of CT, VT, or DC, you must submit the supplemental state grant application to the appropriate agency. Students who are eligible for state grant funds but fail to follow the procedures and deadlines set by their state grant programs will not receive additional Harvard financial aid to cover lost funding.

Are deferred students still eligible for financial aid?

Yes. You are considered for financial aid no matter when you are admitted.

Is there financial aid available for foreign students?

Yes, on exactly the same basis as for American students. Although foreign students are not eligible for any federal funding, the College has its own job and scholarship money available to foreign students.

How will I know if my financial aid application is incomplete?

For prospective students, we cannot verify receipt of any information until after a student is admitted, and materials will not show up on your Admissions Applicant Status Portal (this portal tracks only required admissions documents). If you are missing financial aid materials at the time of admission, we will notify you immediately. 

Current students can check their my.harvard.edu account where information is updated daily.

Does Harvard participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program and/or ROTC?

Harvard University is proud to help veterans continue their education by participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program . As a part of the University, the Harvard College Griffin Financial Aid Office administers Yellow Ribbon Funds for its eligible undergraduate students, who will receive a matching amount from the College. Eligibility for the Yellow Ribbon Program is determined by the Veterans Affairs Administration and not by Harvard College. Students interested in ROTC opportunities, please visit the following service websites:

• Air Force ROTC website.

When will I find out about my financial aid award?

If you are a prospective student and completed your application by the deadline, then you will receive an award decision in your acceptance mailing. If you missed the application deadline, an award decision will be completed as soon as possible and in the order it is received. If you are a current student, award decisions will be posted to your my.harvard account around July 1st. If you missed the application deadline, an award decision will be completed during the remainder of the summer and in the order it is received.

Does applying for financial aid affect my chances for admission?

No. Your financial circumstances are never an impediment to admission. Foreign students have the same access to financial aid funding as do U.S. citizens.

What is the deadline for applying for financial aid?

Prospective Students: November 1st, for Restrictive Early Action candidates. February 1st, for Regular Decision candidates. March 1st, for Transfer candidates. Current Students: May 1st.

Is it easy to qualify for financial aid at Harvard?

Once you are admitted to Harvard, we work closely with your family to ensure you can afford to come here. Because we seek the best students regardless of their ability to pay, we are committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all four years.  See how affordable Harvard can be with our Net Price Calculator .

What can I do if my family's financial situation is complicated?

Submit a letter of special circumstance to IDOC along with the rest of your financial aid application materials.

Will Harvard provide travel expenses for international students who receive financial aid?

All students, American and international, who are on financial aid have a travel allowance included in their financial aid award to help cover the cost of travel to and from Cambridge. Overseas students are advised to seek information from the nearest U.S. Cultural Affairs Office about travel grants and other financial assistance available to qualified students from various foundations and from the U.S. government.

Study Abroad Financial Aid

Preparing to go abroad, am i eligible to use financial aid for study abroad.

If you are receiving financial aid and are approved for academic credit during the academic year at another institution, your aid should be available to help cover your costs. The Office of International Education (OIE) determines your program is eligible for academic credit, and the Financial Aid Office (FAO) will work with you to determine the amount of aid you are eligible to receive for your study.

What should I do if my program requires that I make a deposit prior to when my financial aid would ordinarily be disbursed? Does financial aid cover my air travel?

Usually, the family will pay the deposit and purchase the plane ticket as a part of the family contribution towards educational costs. If you have high financial need or if most of your educational costs are being met with financial aid, then you should contact your financial aid officer. We will work with you either to waive or reduce the deposit, or possibly pay it as necessary. We also may release funds to help you purchase your plane ticket.

How do I notify the Financial Aid Office about my plans to study abroad?

Complete the Study Abroad Supplement and return it, along with all supporting documents substantiating your budget, to the FAO. If you are planning to study abroad in the fall semester or for the full academic year, the form is due May 1st. If you are planning to study in the spring semester, the form is due October 30th. Be sure to attach documentation of your program budget to the Supplement. Please submit the Supplement by these deadlines, even if you do not know all the answers to the questions, as you can always update it later.

Can I use financial aid to study abroad during the summer?

Harvard’s financial aid program is only available for term-time for-credit study. Funding for summer experiences is available from a wide variety of offices and programs at Harvard. Good places to start include the Mignone Center for Career Success , the CARAT funding sources database , and the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships .

How does the Financial Aid Office determine my study abroad budget?

As with your Harvard budget, your study abroad budget will include a combination of billed and non-billed costs. We construct the budget from the program information that you submit on your Supplement, and these costs will include tuition and fees, room and board, and a standard allowance for personal expenses and books. In addition, we will include a standard allowance for air travel to the area of the world in which you will be studying and will include any additional non-discretionary expenses (e.g. visa/passport costs, medical expenses for required shots) that are specific to your program. Lastly, you will continue to be billed for the Harvard Student Services Fee during the semester(s) that you are abroad, so this will be built into your budget.

What happens if my program’s estimates differ from the standard amounts?

You can provide that information on your Study Abroad Supplement for review by the Financial Aid Office.

Is it more expensive to study abroad?

Since we use the same expected family contribution whether you are studying at Harvard or abroad, the cost to your family should be the same in both cases. However, if a budget is more than $5,000 above your Harvard standard budget, the costs in excess of that $5,000 threshold will not be eligible for additional scholarship funding. A subsidized loan will usually be available to meet these additional expenses.

If while abroad you find that your necessary living expenses are substantially higher than anticipated, please contact your financial aid officer. You may be eligible for additional scholarship or a subsidized loan to help meet these expenses. It is to your benefit to contact your financial aid officer before using credit cards to meet unanticipated expenses.

If you are worried that you do not have resources to fall back upon in the case of urgent expenses while abroad, or to allow you to take advantage of discretionary travel or cultural opportunities that may come up, we may be able to offer you an “unexpected expenses loan” in advance of your departure. This is a subsidized loan that you can take out for your time abroad. If you don’t end up using the loan funds while abroad, you can simply return them when you return. Interest on these funds does not begin to accrue until 6 months after graduation/withdrawal, so they may be a much better option than credit cards to help you manage expenses.

How do you determine my study abroad personal expenses allowance?

The personal expenses allowance of your budget is meant to help toward your daily living expenses (separate from your housing and food charges) while enrolled in your study abroad program. As expenses can vary greatly based on each student’s discretion, we are not able to meet every student’s individual expenses. Rather, we build an allowance toward them in your budget, but leave the daily choices to you. For instance, in regard to local travel expenses, we might be able to offer you financial aid toward commuting from your apartment to your school campus, but we wouldn’t be able to offer you scholarship toward a traveling tour that is separate from your program. However, we recognize that you may want to take advantage of your time away from Cambridge, and we encourage you to make your time abroad enriching and educational in the broadest sense. We may be able to offer you subsidized loan to help you expand the scope of your experience abroad, and allow you a wider range of choices.

Do I have to pay for health insurance when I’m abroad? Is that the same thing as the Health Services Fee?

Please be aware that it is your responsibility to make sure that you have the appropriate health insurance coverage, whether you are studying on campus or abroad. All students are required to have health insurance, and the Harvard Blue Cross/ Blue Shield health insurance is automatically charged to each student’s termbill at the beginning of each semester. If you are covered under your family’s health insurance policy, you may be eligible to waive the Harvard health insurance. It is your responsibility to pursue the health insurance waiver, and University Health Services can help you with that decision.

The Health Fee and the Student Services Fee are the two mandatory Harvard fees, and are automatically charged to each student’s termbill at the beginning of each semester. You continue to be responsible for the Student Services Fee while abroad, and we include it in your budget. However, students who are studying abroad are usually eligible to waive the Health Fee. It is your responsibility to pursue the Health Fee waiver, and you should contact University Health Services about the Health Fee waiver.

When will I find out how much aid I will receive for my study abroad?

If you are applying for the fall semester or the full year, you will be notified at the same time you get your award letter for academic year provided you turned in your Study Abroad Supplement by the deadline. If you are applying for the spring semester, you will be notified in early December.

How do I know if I need to submit a Consortium Agreement?

You will need to get a Consortium Agreement completed if you are attending a program affiliated with a U.S. college or university. Please have this form completed as soon as possible before you go abroad. You do not need this form if you are going on a Harvard program or direct enrolling abroad.

What should I do if I am planning to Study Abroad for academic credit for part or all of next year?

Please contact our office to determine your budget. Instructions and deadlines are here .

What happens with the monthly Harvard Student Billing Statement?

All your financial aid will be disbursed to your Harvard termbill, and we will release your financial aid from your termbill directly to you. Your Harvard statement may take a few months to reconcile. Normally, you will not need to make any payments to Harvard while you are studying abroad unless you are being billed for a Harvard-sponsored program, or if your financial aid does not cover your Harvard Student Services Fee.

What if I have questions about budgeting?

The Office of International Education holds drop-in hours and meetings with staff or a student adviser to help students explore their study abroad options and will be able to help you in thinking about your budget. For more information, please contact the OIE ( [email protected] ). For additional assistance with budgeting questions, please email or call the Financial Aid Office and a financial aid officer will be happy to assist you or help you schedule an appointment.

Who receives the bill from the study abroad program?

The programs will send the bill to you or your family.

While You Are Abroad

How much financial aid will be sent to the program and how much to me.

The Financial Aid Office takes the anticipated financial aid for the semester(s) and subtracts any balance due to your Harvard term bill, including any back balance from the previous semester. The remaining amount will be refunded to you and you will be expected to make payments to the study abroad program as required.

What if I feel like my living expenses are higher than were anticipated?

We encourage you to email your financial aid officer. While we do our best to construct an appropriate budget for you in advance based on the information provided by your program, we recognize that you may encounter higher costs during your time abroad. It is definitely to your benefit to contact your financial aid officer before relying on credit cards to help meet the difference in your expenses. We may be able to offer you additional scholarship or a subsidized loan to help with these unanticipated costs.

What happens if I have questions or problems while I am abroad?

We want you to have an enjoyable and enriching study abroad experience. Although you may be very far away from Cambridge, the Financial Aid Office is still here as a resource to you, and we hope that you will be in touch with our office if we can be of any help to you.

What happens to my loans while I study abroad?

While studying full-time and working towards your degree, your loans should not go into repayment. If they do, you need to provide written enrollment verification directly from your program either to the Federal Government (for your Direct Loan) or to Harvard (for your Perkins and/or Harvard Loans). You can download the deferment forms from the Student Loan Office . Do not ignore these notices or your loans may go into default.

International Students

Do i have to take the toefl.

A strong knowledge of English is essential for successful study at Harvard, including the ability to understand and express thoughts quickly and clearly. First-year and transfer applicants are not required to take an English proficiency exam, but you may submit scores if you wish to do so. Visiting Undergraduate Students program applicants are required to take the TOEFL.

Are there quotas for international applicants?

There are no quotas or limits of any kind at any point in the admissions process. All students are considered in the same pool for all places in the incoming class, regardless of citizenship or the secondary school they attend. A student's chances for admission and financial aid are not affected by citizenship or by the location of the school that the student attends.

Does Harvard offer admission application fee waivers to international students?

We are committed to making the application process accessible for all students. If the admissions application fee presents a hardship for you or your family, the fee will be waived. You can request a fee waiver directly through the Common Application or the Coalition Application, Powered by Scoir, if you meet their respective indicators of economic need. If you do not meet these indicators, please follow these instructions to learn how to get your fee waived . Requesting a fee waiver will not disadvantage your application in any way.

Is there an interview for international applicants?

When possible, we try to arrange for you to meet with alumni/ae in or near your school communities. You will not be at a disadvantage if an interview cannot be arranged. In the U.S., Canada and the U.K., an alumnus/a will contact an applicant directly by phone, e-mail, or letter if such an interview is possible. If you live outside these areas, we aim to hold an admission interview when and where possible. Our interviewers abroad are graduates of Harvard who offer their assistance on a volunteer basis. While we try to make interviewers as widely available as possible, it will not always be possible for a student to have an interview. The absence of an interview will not adversely affect your candidacy. See more about international interviews .

How do international students apply?

The application requirements are the same for all applicants whether a student attends high school inside or outside the U.S. All first-year candidates must complete the   Common Application  or the   Coalition Application   along with the required supplements. We have no preference and each application is treated equally by the Admissions Committee.   View our detailed application requirements here .

Transfer Admissions

How do i know if i am competitive/ how hard is it to get in as a transfer student.

The Harvard College Transfer Admissions Committee evaluates the whole person throughout the application process. There is not a required minimum grade point average (GPA) or test score to apply. The transfer admissions pool is very competitive. In recent years, we have admitted 12-16 students from a pool of over 1,500 applicants. The committee looks for a clearly defined academic need to transfer, a proven record of high achievement, and strong faculty recommendations.

Are international transfer applicants required to take the SAT or ACT exam?

The SAT or ACT is required of all transfer applicants. In exceptional cases, when those are not accessible for a student, one of the following can meet the requirement:

If you have applied to Harvard in the past, we will have access to your previous application in our review process, including any scores that you submitted with earlier applications.

Is the TOEFL still required for VUS even if I have taken classes at a college or university in the United States?

No, if you are applying for transfer or first-year admission, you will not be expected to submit a TOEFL exam in order to be eligible for admission. However, Visiting Undergraduate Student applicants must submit the TOEFL. A strong knowledge of English is essential for successful study at Harvard, including the ability to understand and express thoughts quickly and clearly.

What are the standardized testing requirements for transfer applicants?

I am a non-traditional student. am i still required to submit a standardized test what about my high school transcript.

If you have applied to Harvard in the past, we will have access to your previous application in our review process including any scores that you submitted with earlier applications. Test scores can be particularly helpful for non-traditional students. We encourage non-traditional students to submit an exam taken within three years of applying for transfer to reflect current academic ability. 

Self-reported scores are acceptable during the application process; official scores are required of enrolling students.

High school transcripts are a required component of the transfer application. If you are unable to obtain your high school transcript, please submit a letter from your high school explaining why the transcript is not available.

I applied to Harvard in the past and submitted test scores with my previous application. Do I need to submit test scores again? If I don't report my scores on my current transfer application, will you consider my application without testing?

To streamline your application review, we request that students who have taken the SAT or ACT report their scores with each new application, even if you have applied to us previously. Self-reported scores are acceptable during the application process; official scores are required of enrolling students. Please bear in mind that we will consider prior scores, and any other information that we have previously received on your behalf, in our whole-person review process. If you have applied to Harvard in the past with test scores and choose not to report them on your current application, we will have access to your previous application in our review process including any scores that you submitted with earlier applications.

How are transfer students supported on campus?

Enrolling students take part in a fall orientation program and are connected with a dedicated transfer adviser who helps with academic planning and the transition to Harvard life. Transfer students who live on-campus  will find strong community in their undergraduate Houses, and students who live off campus will benefit from the Dudley Community. Transfer students are also supported by peer advisers , who were themselves transfer students from prior years.

Is there housing for transfer students on campus?

Yes. Admitted transfer students who indicate in their application that they wish to live on campus are eligible for housing in the undergraduate Houses. Students are not required to live on campus, though nearly all undergraduate students do. The undergraduate Houses do not have appropriate accommodations for students who will be living with a spouse, partner, or other family members; students in these situations should plan to live off campus and will be given information about housing resources if admitted.

Are there interviews for transfer applicants?

Generally, we do not conduct interviews for transfer applicants. Should the Admissions Committee need more information regarding your application, our office will contact you. Transfer students may not schedule or request their own interviews.

How do I know if you received my transfer application materials?

Once your application has been received and processed, our office will send a confirmation email with a link to the Applicant Portal . The application status portal will allow you to track your required materials as they are merged with your application. Our office is unable to confirm receipt of materials via phone or by email. Our office is also unable to return any application materials submitted.

How long does it take for application materials I have submitted to appear as received in my transfer application status?

Application material processing can take up to three weeks if submitted by mail. This does not affect the March 1st deadline, so long as your materials were submitted (or postmarked) by March 1st.

May I apply for both Transfer Admission and for the Visiting Undergraduate Students (VUS) Program at the same time?

No. Applicants may apply to only one program per admissions cycle.

When can I apply as a transfer student?

Students may apply to enter as a sophomore (2nd year) or junior (3rd year) student. Harvard College does not admit students for the spring semester. All transfer applications each year are due by March 1st to enter the fall term of the same calendar year. Transfer applicants who are admitted are not permitted to defer their admission.

What courses transfer to Harvard College? Is there a list of transferrable courses?

The Harvard College Registrar's Office grants credit for work done at another college or university to each admitted transfer student on an individual basis after careful evaluation. The admissions office does not keep a list of transferrable courses and cannot advise on this matter during the application process. Harvard College typically accepts courses taken while enrolled as a full-time student in an undergraduate program similar to our liberal arts curriculum. The Committee also looks for strong preparation in the student's expected field of specialization.

I am an international prospective transfer student. What is the transfer application process for me?

The application process and requirements are exactly the same for international students. Our financial aid program also applies to all applicants regardless of nationality or citizenship. For more information, you can view all of the transfer application requirements here .

Financial Aid

Do transfer students qualify for financial aid.

Yes. All transfer applicants, including international students, are eligible to apply for need-based financial aid. Transfer applicants should follow the prospective student financial aid application instructions.

Veterans Admissions

Us military veterans, how can i interview if i am unable to leave my military base or am deployed at sea.

Interviews are not required for admission. If you are contacted for an interview and are not able to leave base, please call our office (617-495-1551) so that we may assist. If you are applying as a transfer student, please know that interviews are not routinely offered to transfer applicants. In cases where it is difficult to reach an applicant we may request a phone or Skype interview.

Is it possible to enroll at Harvard College and complete my coursework remotely while remaining on active duty?

Harvard College does not presently offer an option to work toward a degree remotely. Harvard Extension School offers more flexible options for students seeking opportunities to study remotely. Learn more about the Extension School's undergraduate degrees .

I have never taken the SAT or ACT, or I have not taken the SAT or ACT in recent years and cannot because I’ve been on active duty, what do I do?

• National Leaving Exams Results or Predictions  

Is there a separate or different admissions process for military veterans?

There is no separate or different admissions process for applicants who are or will be veterans. Applicants with less than one year of college credit may apply as first-year students and those with between one and two years of college credit may apply as transfer students. Please visit the U.S. Military Veterans page to learn more about admissions and financial aid.  

I am a US military veteran. Should I apply as a first-year or transfer student?

To be eligible to transfer to Harvard College, you must have satisfactorily completed at least one continuous academic year in a full-time degree program at one college by your anticipated date of matriculation at Harvard, and not have completed more than two years total in college. Please note that once a student has completed more than two years of college coursework at another institution, regardless of the courses taken, that student is no longer eligible for transfer admission or freshman admission. Our office cannot make exceptions to this policy as it is set by the Harvard faculty.

If you do not meet the above requirements and have not yet completed one continuous academic year in a full-time degree program at one college, then you may apply for freshman admission to Harvard College. Please note that if you are eligible to apply as a freshman that any college coursework you have completed would not transfer to Harvard College.

My high school files no longer exist because the school closed or was destroyed by a fire/storm/war. What are my options?

In order to process your application, we will need to be able to verify your graduation. Therefore, you may want to reach out to the district or state level agency that manages educational records. They may be able to provide proof of graduation or other documents. In addition, since the armed forces require a high school diploma or GED to enlist, they may be able to assist you in confirming your graduation status.

Does Harvard accept credit earned from classes taken during my time in the military?

Military-specific coursework or credits earned via military training and service, including courses appearing on Joint Services Transcripts, are not generally accepted for transfer credit at Harvard. Online courses are also not generally eligible for transfer credit. Only courses that are liberal arts in nature (in fields comparable to those offered at Harvard College), and that were taken in person while enrolled as a full-time college student, can be considered for transfer credit. The Faculty of Arts and Sciences Registrar Office evaluates transcripts for all admitted transfer students to determine course transferability once a student has been admitted.

As a military veteran, my high school grades do not reflect my current work ethic and commitment to my studies. How does this impact my application?

We consider an applicant’s full range of experiences and growth from those experiences, especially for veterans. A weak high school transcript does not necessarily mean you will not be a compelling candidate for Harvard. Look at your high school transcript with a critical eye, identify what your weaknesses in the classroom might have been and think about what you have done since that time to address those weaknesses. Be prepared to explain any steps you have taken to improve.

I took college or community college courses before/during my time in the military. Am I eligible to apply as a transfer student?

To be eligible to transfer to Harvard College, you must have satisfactorily completed at least one continuous academic year in a full-time degree program at one college by your anticipated date of matriculation at Harvard, and not have completed more than two years total in college. Once a student has completed more than two years of college coursework at another institution, regardless of the courses taken, that student is no longer eligible for transfer admission to Harvard. Our office cannot make exceptions to this policy as it is set by the Harvard faculty. We recognize that military service may impact a student’s access to classes. Please contact us at [email protected] if you have specific questions about your situation.   

I have been away from school for a while during my military service. Do I still need to submit letters of recommendation?

We fully understand that high school teachers may not remember you or still be at your school. We normally suggest that you get a similar set of letters from people who know you well in your current phase of life, such as commanding officers or other professors/instructors (if you have pursued any coursework since high school). Helpful letters might address how you dealt with adversity, stress, or other challenges, how you got along with your peers and how you have maximized opportunities available to you – all critical components to success at Harvard and beyond.

Veterans Financial Aid

Is the financial aid application process the same for a veteran as it is for a non-veteran student .

Yes. All aid applicants should follow the same set of application instructions . Harvard College acknowledges the unique contributions each admitted student brings to our learning community. We are therefore committed to equitable treatment through one comprehensive need-based financial aid program.

When a veteran completes the FAFSA, the Federal Government may categorize that student as an “independent student.”  Why is Harvard College requesting financial information for parent(s) if the Federal Government considers the student "independent?"

A student may be deemed "independent" for federal purposes for a variety of reasons, including having veteran status. Harvard College maintains its own financial aid program and policies, and it is our institutional philosophy that every student’s parents have a responsibility to contribute to their child’s educational expenses. We therefore begin by asking all aid applicants to provide information for both parents.  

However, we are committed to working with any student on an individual basis to learn more about complex, unusual, or challenging circumstances that are not easily described in the standard aid application. If any aid applicant cannot ask one or both of their parents to participate in the financial aid process, the applicant should complete the Parent Information Sheet and submit it as part of their financial aid application.   

How can a veteran report unusual circumstances as a part of their financial aid application (such as unusual debts, liabilities, or anything else that may not be captured by the application)? 

There are many avenues to provide more information on your specific financial circumstances. When completing the CSS Profile, there is a dedicated section that allows any applicant to expand upon their specific situation. Applicants may also upload a brief “special circumstances” letter through IDOC when they are submitting their tax documents. In addition, all applicants are encouraged to contact the Griffin Financial Aid Office and work with one of our Financial Aid Officers, both during the application process and throughout their time at Harvard, to discuss their circumstances.     

Would a veteran be eligible for additional financial aid if they have unusually high expenses due to living off-campus?

While the Griffin Financial Aid Office is limited to providing aid for education-related expenses, we want to be sure to understand each student’s circumstances as fully as possible. Students who have non-traditional housing needs, such as dependent minors in the family, may submit a detailed monthly budget outlining their off-campus costs for the Financial Aid Committee to review.

If a student has VA Benefits that they will use while attending Harvard College, what does that process look like?

The Griffin Financial Aid Office works in conjunction with Harvard University Student Financial Services (SFS) to complete the certification process for any student who elects to use VA benefits.  An outline of the process can be found here , and there is also a helpful “VA and Military FAQs” page on the SFS website here . Once a student has obtained their Certificate of Eligibility, we would ask them to contact our office at [email protected] for information on next steps. 

In general, we encourage students to contact our office directly if they have specific questions about how their VA benefits might interact with financial aid. 

Is Harvard College a Yellow Ribbon Institution?  Does Harvard put a cap on the number of students who can receive the Yellow Ribbon funds?

Harvard College is proud to be a Yellow Ribbon institution. We do not place a cap on the number of students who receive Yellow Ribbon funds. 

Student Life and Support

Does harvard have any student groups or alumni groups for veterans.

Yes, Harvard College offers both student and alumni groups for veterans. Please visit the Harvard Undergraduate Veterans Organization  for information about our student group and Harvard Veterans  for information about our alumni group.  

Do students who are veterans have to live on campus?

No, while Harvard College is predominantly residential, some students do not live in College housing. Undergraduates living off campus may elect to be members of Dudley Community. This option has appealed to a number of students, including married students and students who wish to be part of a fully non-residential community. Students who are part of Dudley Community are eligible for meal contracts in Dudley Community and are included in all social and cultural activities sponsored by the Community. They are "deaned" by the Allston Burr Resident Dean of Dudley Community and are advised for purposes of fellowship and professional school application by Dudley Community tutors.

Visiting Undergraduate Students

Vus admissions, do visiting undergraduate students (vus) have the same privileges as harvard degree candidates.

While VUS are not degree candidates and do not receive a diploma from Harvard College, they have access to all libraries, academic, and athletic facilities just like Harvard degree candidates. VUS are affiliated with the Dudley Community, the Harvard Community for students who live off campus. If you would like to learn more about life as a Visiting Undergraduate Students and the affiliation with the Dudley Community visit: https://dudley.harvard.edu/homepage

What is a Visiting Undergraduate Student (VUS)?

Students currently enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university may apply to spend one or two semesters studying at Harvard College. After completing their time at Harvard, the students return to their home school, where Harvard credits are generally accepted, to complete their degree.

Am I eligible to become a Visiting Undergraduate Student (VUS)?

If you are currently enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university you may apply to spend one or two semesters studying at Harvard College. This program is not for high school graduates who wish to study at Harvard for a gap year. Additionally, since the VUS Program is for full-time undergraduate students only, if you have already achieved the equivalent of a bachelor's degree, you would not be eligible. However, you might be eligible to be a "Special Student" at the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. For more information on this program, please visit their website .

Are standardized tests required as part of the Visiting Undergraduate Student (VUS) Application?

Students whose native language is not English are REQUIRED to submit a TOEFL score not more than two years old. The results of this test are very useful to the Committee as it considers international applicants. Official tests results must be submitted electronically to the Admissions Office from the ETS (code#3434). We do not require SAT, ACT or AP scores to be submitted in order to apply to the Visiting Undergraduate Student Program. However, we encourage students who have taken them to submit their scores, because all information about a candidate is helpful in the admissions process.

I am from another country but I speak English proficiently. Do I still need to take the TOEFL?

Only applicants to the Visiting Undergraduate Students program are required to submit the TOEFL. It is not a requirement for first-year and transfer applicants.

Without all of the information about a VUS candidate, we cannot make exceptions to this requirement and time constraints do not allow us to pre-screen all applicants to determine if they are exempt from taking the TOEFL. Therefore, we advise all VUS applicants whose native language is not English to take the TOEFL and submit the results.

Is there a minimum TOEFL score required for the VUS program?

While there is no absolute test score cut-off, the Committee would be concerned that an internet based TOEFL score below 100 might indicate that the candidate does not have sufficient fluency in English to do well in classes here. A strong knowledge of English is essential for successful study at Harvard, including the ability to understand and express thoughts quickly and clearly.

Are visiting undergraduate students eligible for Harvard housing?

Visiting undergraduate students are not offered University housing. Accepted students must find their own housing before they arrive in Cambridge.

Is there financial aid for visiting undergraduate students?

As a Visiting Undergraduate Student, you will not be eligible for Harvard financial aid and you must secure your own funding.

When should I apply for the VUS program?

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• Application deadline: April 1

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• Application deadline: September 1 

It is advised that you apply for the appropriate term. Additionally, we are not able to make early admission decisions for students who wish to apply for a later term.

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Intro to the IB Thesis Process (Presentation for Juniors, Apr 27 '23): Slides

Thesis in IB

A thesis is not required for the IB concentration, but is necessary if you aspire to highest honors. (Honors and high honors are obtainable without a thesis, but require a high within concentration GPA.  For more information on Honors calculations, click here ). There are in addition many research opportunities within OEB that permit you to do some serious research without necessarily submitting a thesis.

Doing research?

Research can be exhilarating, but it can also be time-consuming, tedious, and frustrating. Before committing yourself to a major research project (e.g. a thesis), we recommend that you take time to gain the requisite experience to determine whether or not research is for you.

To get a sense of the kind of research done by IB and OEB students over recent years, check out the listing of recent Senior Theses .  If you're interested in obtaining a pdf of one or more of these theses, send email to James Poolner .

A typical undergraduate research career at Harvard would look like this (but this is only one of a very large number of possible research paths through Harvard):

Freshman/Sophomore years . It is not essential to start research this early, but many students do, and find it a rewarding experience. Find a lab whose work interests you. For advice on finding a lab, consult with Assistant Head Tutor, Andrew Berry , or Director of Science Education  Dr. Logan McCarty .

Some students "spam" the faculty by broadcasting email to every professor.  This is not the way to go!   You are far more likely to get a positive response from faculty to whom you express a specific, focused interest.  Figure out what may interest you and, via their lab websites, find faculty members whose interests are aligned with yours.  Once you have found a long list of potential faculty, shorten the list by reading in more depth about each lab's research.  Faculty websites will link to PDF's of recent publications.  You probably won't be able to follow every word of a highly technical article, but reading up in such detail should give you a real sense of whether or not you want to do research on these topics.  This reading will also help when finally you approach the faculty member: rather than being a spammer, you have actually made a considerable effort to investigate the research going on in the lab.  The email you send should additionally include information about yourself and why you and the lab are a good match.  Attach a scientific c.v.  A faculty member isn't necessarily interested in your non-scientific accomplishments, so don't over-emphasize these.  Don't worry if you have no previous lab experience.  List courses that you have taken, such as LS 1a that include a considerable lab component.

To start with, most people start life in a lab as a volunteer.  It's during this phase that you'll gain a sense of whether the lab is really for you, and also it's when you'll get trained in some of the basic techniques used in the lab.

Summer research . Many students use their summers to do research. There are many fellowships that make this an affordable option.

Junior/Senior years . Typically, research gets more serious at this stage and students will often gain credit for a semester of research. This is known as a 99r (where 'r' stands for 'can be repeated for credit,' not research. Note, however, that only one 99r is counted as contributing to fulfilling IB's "two advanced courses in biology" requirement). For details, see the information that comes with the 99r form . If you plan to do a thesis, you must submit a thesis abstract form  at the beginning of the semester in which you are submitting your thesis (typically Senior Spring). Students doing theses typically enroll in 99r for both their senior semesters. 99r usually requires a 10 page or so final report; for the last semester, the thesis substitutes for this.  If you're writing a thesis, check out the IB Thesis Writer's Guide .

Sources of Financial Support: HCRP, MCZ GUR, HUCE .

There are several sources of funding available to support research, both over the summer and in term time.   Harvard College Research Program is a major source of support.

Further sources of funding, including deadlines, are listed  here .

Unique to IB, the Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ)  awards small grants in support of faculty-supervised research by Harvard undergraduates. Projects in any subject area are eligible for support, although priority may be given to projects that utilize the MCZ's research collections, laboratories and other facilities, and to related field work. Projects that facilitate senior honors theses or associated preliminary studies are particularly encouraged. Applications must include a brief research proposal (maximum 500 words) and identify a Harvard faculty member who has agreed to supervise the project. The proposal should describe the project's goals, the specific plan to accomplish those goals, and the role of the faculty sponsor. Awards range from $500 to $2500 and may provide support for the academic year (fall and spring semesters) or summer.  

Writing a thesis?   Check out the IB Thesis Writer's Guide

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Theses can come in a number for formats, they can be published, unpublished, or retrieved from a database. The principles when citing a thesis are similar to those employed when citing a book.

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Dissertation Advisory Committee; Thesis Acceptance Certificate

The Dissertation Advisory Committee formally approves the dissertation by signing the Thesis Acceptance Certificate . In PhD programs that are not lab-based, this committee also guides the student in writing the dissertation. The committee should work cohesively in supporting the student to produce their best work. The signatures of these faculty members on the Thesis Acceptance Certificate indicate formal acceptance of the student’s scholarly contribution to the field.  

In some fields, especially in the sciences, the Dissertation Advisory Committee described below is known locally as the “Dissertation Defense Committee.” In these programs, a separate additional committee (also called the Dissertation Advisory Committee) that includes the student’s primary advisor, will guide the student’s progress until submission for formal review by the DAC/defense committee. The members of the DAC/defense committee give formal approval to the finished work, but the student’s work will be understood to have occurred under the guidance of the primary advisor. The changes to the DAC/defense committee as described below do not in any way affect the essential structure of dissertation advising that already exists in lab-based PhD programs. 

The following policy applies to every Harvard Griffin GSAS Dissertation Advisory Committee formed on or after July 1, 2024. Any Dissertation Advisory Committee approved before July 1, 2024 is subject to the rules outlined below, see “Grandfathering.”  

Effective July 1, 2024:  

•  The graduate thesis for the PhD shall be accepted, and the Thesis Acceptance Certificate signed, by at least three advisors, who will form the Dissertation Advisory Committee (DAC). At least two members of the committee shall be on-ladder faculty members. 
• In FAS-based programs, the Director of Graduate Studies or Department Chair or Area Chair shall sign off on the proposed committee.  
• For programs based outside the FAS, the Program Head shall sign off. 
• A program may petition the Dean of Harvard Griffin GSAS to consider a variation to the above requirement. 
• A Professor in Residence or Professor of the Practice may serve as a non-chairing member of the DAC, as long as the committee composition is consistent with “1.”  
•  Senior Lecturers and other non-ladder faculty may serve on the DAC as the third member when appropriate, as approved by the Director of Graduate Studies, Department Chair, Area Chair, or Program Head, as long as the committee composition is consistent with “1.” 
• Tenured emeriti faculty members (including research professors) may serve on the DAC. They may co-chair the DAC with a current on-ladder faculty member from the student’s department or program but may not serve as the sole chair. 
• Non-Harvard faculty of equivalent appointment rank to on-ladder faculty at Harvard may serve as one of the non-chairing members of the DAC.  
• A committee with co-chairs shall require a third member, consistent with ”1.” 
• Additional members may be appointed to the DAC, as long as the core three-member committee is consistent with ”1.” 
• They may continue to serve as a committee member if they have moved to another institution with an appointment rank equivalent to on-ladder at Harvard.  
• Or, if they are no longer serving on the DAC (by choice of the student, the student’s program, and/or the departing faculty member), the advisor must be replaced in accordance with ”1.” 
• If the departing faculty member will remain as chair on the DAC, a co-chair must be designated in accordance with “1.” The co-chair may, in this instance, be the Director of Graduate Studies in the student’s program if a faculty member with field expertise is not available to serve in this capacity. 

Please note:

• “On ladder” refers to faculty members with tenure or who are tenure-track. The phrase “on ladder” is generally not used at HMS, but all HMS and HCSPH assistant, associate, and full professors are considered to be “on ladder” according to HMS Faculty Affairs, and, for the purposes of this legislation, may serve on the DAC/defense committee. 
• With regard to paragraph 3.b.ii, and in keeping with the spirit of this legislation, ordinarily a scholar appointed as a College Fellow would not be ready to serve as one of the three core members of the committee. 
• With regard to paragraph 3.b.iv, individuals who do not fit this category (e.g., a scholar holding a non-ladder faculty position at another institution) may sit on the committee as a fourth member, in accordance with paragraph 3.d.  
• On the rare occasion that a situation requires special consideration, programs are advised to consult with the Dean of Harvard Griffin GSAS.  

Grandfathering

Grandfathering, and rules applying to all dissertation advisory committees, regardless of status prior to July 1, 2024:  

For dissertation advisory committees approved before July 1, 2024 under the former policy ( Two signatories must be members of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS); FAS emeriti (including research professors) and faculty members from other Schools at Harvard who hold appointments on Harvard Griffin GSAS degree committees are authorized to sign DACs as FAS members. Harvard Griffin GSAS strongly recommends that the chair of the dissertation committee be a member of the FAS. If approved by the department, it is possible to have co-chairs of the dissertation committee as long as one is a member of FAS) , the following rules apply:   

Dissertation Advisory Committees approved prior to July 1, 2024 will be grandfathered, except in two situations:  

• An existing DAC chaired by an individual whose faculty appointment does not meet the requirements of the new rules will need to be adjusted. A co-chair should be designated, with the option of appointing the DGS to serve as co-chair, as allowed in paragraph 3.e.iii;  
• An existing DAC with fewer than three members should be updated, and the new member(s) should be consistent with the new policy.   

Thesis Acceptance Certificate

Contact info, noël bisson, shelby johnson, explore events.

Citation guides

All you need to know about citations

How to cite a master's thesis in Harvard

To cite a master's thesis in a reference entry in Harvard style include the following elements:

• Author(s) of the master's thesis: Give the last name and initials (e. g. Watson, J.) of up to three authors with the last name preceded by 'and'. For four authors or more include the first name followed by et al., unless your institution requires referencing of all named authors.
• Year of submission: Give the year in round brackets.
• Title of the master's thesis: Give the title as presented in the source. Only the first letter of the first word and proper nouns are capitalized.
• Degree description: Type of degree.
• Degree-awarding institution: Give the name of the institution.

Here is the basic format for a reference list entry of a master's thesis in Harvard style:

Author(s) of the master's thesis . ( Year of submission ) Title of the master's thesis . Degree description . Degree-awarding institution .

Take a look at our reference list examples that demonstrate the Harvard style guidelines in action:

A master's thesis by one author

Bauger, L . ( 2011 ) Personality, Passion, Self-esteem and Psychological Well-being among Junior Elite Athletes in Norway . Master's Thesis . University of Tromsø .

An unpublished master's thesis

Aube, K. E . ( 2019 ) A comparison of water main failure prediction models in San Luis Obispo, CA . Unpublished master's thesis . Cal Poly .

This citation style guide is based on the Cite Them Right (10 th edition) Harvard referencing guide.

More useful guides

• Harvard Referencing: Theses
• Referencing with Harvard: Thesis or dissertation
• Citing and referencing: Theses/Dissertations

More great BibGuru guides

• AMA: how to cite an honors thesis
• MLA in-text citations with multiple authors
• MLA: how to cite a 10-q report

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More Women Work in Nonprofits. So Why Do Men End Up Leading Them?

• Cathleen Clerkin

Data from 1 million nonprofit workers show that men have an easier pathway to leadership — and suggests how to level the playing field.

The term “ glass escalator ” refers to the finding that men in female-dominated occupations often experience a faster and smoother rise to the upper levels of leadership than women. Why does the male advantage persist? Systemic power dynamics and gender stereotypes are pervasive across industries. Because of these stereotypes and incorrect assumptions, even in fields where there is an abundance of qualified women for leadership roles, men continue to be singled out and fast-tracked. The author offers several best practices that have been shown to tamp down the escalator effect and promote gender equality.

You’ve probably heard of the “glass ceiling”: an invisible barrier of gender bias that prevents women from reaching the top of the career ladder, especially in male-dominated industries. But are you familiar with the glass escalator?

• CC Cathleen Clerkin , PhD, is the associate vice president of research at Candid (a research and data nonprofit) and an affiliated research scientist at the Center for Effective Organizations at the University of Southern California. Cathleen’s research has been published broadly in both academic and popular press venues, including in her recent coauthored book, Resilience that Works: Eight Practices for Leadership and Life . Cathleen holds a BA in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, and MS and PhD degrees in psychology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

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Protests continue at MIT and Harvard after encampment deadlines pass

As of monday evening, the barricades around the encampment area at mit had been dismantled and protesters had formed a human chain around the area, by asher klein , michael rosenfield and erin logan • published may 6, 2024 • updated on may 7, 2024 at 12:11 am.

Tensions were high at Harvard and MIT Monday as the schools threatened to crack down on groups camping out as part of ongoing pro-Palestinian protests across the country.

Harvard University said Monday that the people who have been camped out on Harvard Yard for over a week in a pro-Palestinian protest face being placed on involuntary leave, which, among other things, would require them to leave campus until they are reinstated.

MIT's president made a similar announced Monday, giving protesters a 2:30 p.m. deadline to leave or face suspensions. Video from the scene just before the deadline showed police in neon safety vests entering the encampment. Some protesters tried to push them back, leading to a small clash near the entrance. The pushing and shoving went on for about a minute before it stopped.

Most protesters left, but some then tore down the metal gates that had been set up around the tents and reclaimed the center of the campus.

Get Boston local news, weather forecasts, lifestyle and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC Boston’s newsletters.

"The people are speaking," said pro-Palestinian protester Prahlad Iyengar. "This is a spontaneous thing that the people do because the people know that our message is right."

At Harvard University, Interim President Alan Garber issued a statement to the community Monday morning saying the protesters at Harvard have a right to free speech, but not an unlimited one.

"The continuation of the encampment presents a significant risk to the educational environment of the University. Those who participate in or perpetuate its continuation will be referred for involuntary leave from their Schools," Garber wrote.

Later Monday, protesters marched about half a mile from the encampments at Harvard to Garber's house.

The interim president wasn't there. Members of the group chanted, "Alan Garbage."

On Massachusetts Avenue, dozens of high school students took to the street in support of the pro-Palestinian protesters at MIT, closing down the busy roadway for several hours.

"In history class, we're always taught about how student activism is at the forefront for these pivotal moments in our country's history," said Lexington High School student Alma Shawer.

Many Jewish students at MIT, some of whom held their own rallies Monday, say they're disgusted by the chants at the pro-Palestinian protests, which they consider antisemitic.

"I'm walking around with an American flag," said Jewish student Talia Khan. "They're saying, 'Shame,' 'Boo,' they're spitting at me. They're anti-Western values, they're anti-democracy, they're anti-freedom."

They say the encampments should never have been allowed because they violate MIT's policy and school leaders have failed to protect Jewish students. And they say the protesters have failed to accomplish their goals.

"The moment they start doing illegal things, or doing encampments, or sit-downs in the middle of the road, what do they get with this?" asked Jewish student Katya Boukin. "Nothing."

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators across the country, who are calling on their schools to end any financial dealings with Israel's military, say they are standing up for what they believe in.

"What happens next is purely the decision of the MIT administration," said pro-Palestinian protester Sam Ihns. "Our stance is the same as it's always been. We still want to cut direct research ties with the Israeli Ministry of Defense."

#BREAKING : @MassStatePolice SERT team has moved in on the MIT campus forming a line between the encampment and couple dozen people waving US and Israeli flags. @NBC10Boston pic.twitter.com/Ei6ACf4OmQ — Eli Rosenberg NBC10 Boston (@EliNBCBoston) May 6, 2024

"At this hour, public protests continue on and around Massachusetts Avenue. Following the arrival of demonstrators from outside MIT, protesters breached fencing around the lawn and formed a circle around the remaining tents," a school spokesperson said in a statement Monday night. "MIT, Cambridge and State police remain on the scene to preserve public safety."

The spokesperson went on to say that no arrests had been made, "counter to misinformation circulating online."

The two elite universities in Cambridge are among the dozens of college campuses where protesters have urged the Israel-Hamas War continues — though Hamas said Monday it had accepted a ceasefire proposal brokered by mediators, one Israel was reviewing. Both Harvard and MIT have so far avoided the police interventions seen at other campuses locally and nationally.

Harvard has previously said that students and others affiliated with the university at the encampment have faced disciplinary action , but Monday's move noted that students who have been in the unauthorized encampment faced disciplinary action.

It wasn't immediately clear when the students who are part of the encampment would be placed on involuntary leave. Garber said that being placed on that status means the students "may not be able to sit for exams, may not continue to reside in Harvard housing, and must cease to be present on campus until reinstated."

Harvard's commencement is set for May 23, part of a larger week of graduation events , many of which are scheduled for Harvard Yard.

In announcing stiff sanctions for students protesting past 2:30 p.m. Monday, MIT President Sally Kornbluth cited a recent update from an MIT committee on academic freedom and expression that found that occupying a shared resource against the rules is not protected by freedom of expression, and that part of civil disobedience is being willing to face discipline.

"I hoped these measures could be avoided through our efforts to engage the students in serious good-faith discussion. But recent events, and my responsibility to ensure the physical safety of our community, oblige us to act now," she said in the statement .

"We have much work still to do to resolve the situation, and will continue to communicate as needed," Kornbluth said in a later statement .

Students who leave the encampment voluntarily by the deadline will receive a warning if they don't already have any pending disciplinary cases involving the conflict in Gaza. If they have been sanctioned or have a pending case before the university's Committee on Discipline but leave voluntarily, doing so will be considered a mitigating factor in the review of their case.

Those who stay will be suspended, according to the statement. Members of the community who haven't already been disciplined will get an interim academic suspension that would allow them to remain on camus but not particiate in academic activities, commencement or co-curricular activities. Those have had cases before the Committee on Discipline will get an interim full suspension that requires them to leave campus immediately.

The statement didn't mention whether MIT intends to remove the encampment.

More on the pro-Palestinian encampment at Harvard, MIT

Harvard threatens disciplinary action as pro-Palestinian protests continue

No arrests at opposing rallies that closed Mass. Ave. on MIT campus

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Title: what does the knowledge neuron thesis have to do with knowledge.

Abstract: We reassess the Knowledge Neuron (KN) Thesis: an interpretation of the mechanism underlying the ability of large language models to recall facts from a training corpus. This nascent thesis proposes that facts are recalled from the training corpus through the MLP weights in a manner resembling key-value memory, implying in effect that "knowledge" is stored in the network. Furthermore, by modifying the MLP modules, one can control the language model's generation of factual information. The plausibility of the KN thesis has been demonstrated by the success of KN-inspired model editing methods (Dai et al., 2022; Meng et al., 2022). We find that this thesis is, at best, an oversimplification. Not only have we found that we can edit the expression of certain linguistic phenomena using the same model editing methods but, through a more comprehensive evaluation, we have found that the KN thesis does not adequately explain the process of factual expression. While it is possible to argue that the MLP weights store complex patterns that are interpretable both syntactically and semantically, these patterns do not constitute "knowledge." To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the knowledge representation process, we must look beyond the MLP weights and explore recent models' complex layer structures and attention mechanisms.

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