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Prospective Students
Harvard admits outstanding students of every nationality and background. This page contains useful information and links for students interested in learning more about how to apply for admission to Harvard.
About Harvard
Founded in 1636 as the first institution of higher education in the
New World, Harvard College adopted its famous
name in 1639 when clergyman John Harvard donated 1,500 British
pounds and his library of 400 books to the College. Today, Harvard
University comprises not only Harvard College, but 11
graduate and professional schools, a Division of Continuing
Education, the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, and, starting
from John Harvard’s 400-book donation, the largest academic
library in the world, totaling over 15 million volumes.
Admissions Overview
Students at Harvard attend one of 12 Schools (e.g. Harvard Business School, Harvard School of Public Health) or the Division of Continuing Education. Each School has its own admissions office and application process.
Harvard College offers undergraduate (bachelor’s, first) degrees. All students planning to pursue an undergraduate degree full-time apply to Harvard College for admission. Ordinarily, it takes four years to earn an undergraduate degree in the United States.
Students planning to take individual courses without pursuing a degree; or to pursue a degree in the evenings, on a part-time basis, or online, may register for courses at the Harvard Extension School.
All other Harvard Schools offer only degrees beyond the undergraduate degree, usually a master’s (M.A.) or doctoral (Ph.D.) degree. Though each School has its own admissions requirements, all successful applicants to Schools offering the master’s or doctoral degree will have completed the equivalent of an undergraduate degree in the United States.
Links to the home pages and Admissions Office pages of all Harvard Schools are below.
Financial Aid Overview
International and domestic students at Harvard are eligible for many forms of financial aid. Students are encouraged to explore the different financial aid options available to them at each of the University’s schools.
Admissions and Financial Aid Resources
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Kennedy School |
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Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study |
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If you have a Harvard ID and PIN, you can add to or edit the activities in Harvard Worldwide.
Scholar Interns at Old Bookstore
Students of literature often find themselves among old books in the dark reaches of a library. But Harvard University student Peter Bernard has taken another tack, spending most days for the past two months combing the antiquated works at a 106-year-old bookstore in Tokyo's Kanda Jinbocho district.
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