Frequently asked questions about applying

• 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.

• Paying the admissions application fee is a hardship for my family. Can I get a waiver?

  Do not let the admissions application fee prevent you from applying! In the spirit of our honor code, if the admissions application fee presents a hardship for you or your family, the fee will be waived.

  There are a few ways to request a fee waiver for your admissions application. You can easily request it within the Common Application, Coalition Application, Universal College Application, or simply email us at fileroom@fas.harvard.edu (or intlfeewaiver@fas.harvard.edu for students applying outside the U.S.). If you are emailing your request, please include your full name, your date of birth, the name, location of your high school, and indicate which application platform you are using. If you are using the Common Application, please also include your Common Application ID number in your email.

  The Common Application and the Coalition Application outline the indicators of economic need, but if you do not meet any of those indicators and would still like to request a fee waiver, please do not hesitate to email us and we will grant your request. ​Requesting a fee waiver will not disadvantage your application in any way.