• What we look for in a VUS applicant

  Your Visiting Undergraduate Student application should demonstrate strong educational reasons for studying at Harvard College. Our committee considers:

  • Evidence of academic strength and personal integrity
  • Your academic preparation for your proposed plan of study
  • Approval of your current college or university
  • Breadth of interest both in and beyond the classroom
  • Availability of space in the types of courses you wish to undertake
  • A strong knowledge of the English language

  Typically, you will apply during your second or third year of undergraduate study. 

Detailed VUS Application Steps

• Step 1: Submit the student portion of the Visiting Undergraduate Application.

  As you fill out the Visiting Undergraduate Student Application, you will need to:

  • Prepare a Tentative Course Plan: This plan, considered part of your application, is an indication of the kinds of courses you would like to undertake at Harvard. It is not binding. Please consult our course catalog in preparing your plan, selecting courses in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Consider both the General Education section and departmental listings. With a few exceptions noted on the application, most courses are open to visiting students. Because some courses are limited in enrollment, require the instructor’s permission, or have prerequisites, adjustments to your course selection are to be expected during registration week. Admission to our program does not guarantee your enrollment in any particular course. Course schedules and information about limited enrollment for each academic year are not available until late summer. Many courses remain the same from year to year and any course not being offered is usually identified. However, if your course plan is dependent on a particular course, please contact the department to ensure it is being offered during the term for which you are applying and to determine the likelihood of being able to enroll in it. In addition, if you need a detailed course syllabus you will have to contact the department directly.
  • Write a brief Statement of Purpose.
  • Submit an updated Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
  • Submit your Application: As soon as you submit your application you will gain access to the Applicant Portal where you can monitor the status of your application. Please check the portal regularly.

  Our office cannot confirm the receipt of supporting documents until your application has been submitted.

• Step 2: Submit two faculty recommendations.

  Faculty letters should come from your university professors or teachers who have taught you in the classroom.

• Step 3: Submit a Dean’s Letter of Permission form

  The Dean's Letter of Permission certifies that:

  • You have the permission of your current university to study at Harvard
  • You are in good academic and personal standing
  • Upon satisfactory completion of the courses taken at Harvard, you will be granted degree credit

• Step 4: Send an Official Secondary School Transcript

  If you are from an international school system in which promotion is based upon standardized exams, you should also send a certified copy of your exam results. For example: British A levels, French Baccalaureate, Gaokao Results, International Baccalaureate, etc. Credentials must be in English or accompanied by a certified translation. Transcripts will be verified.

• Step 5: Send an Official University Transcript

  Credentials must be in English or accompanied by a certified translation. You should submit a transcript from all universities you have attended. Transcripts will be verified.

• Step 6: Submit a TOEFL or IELTS Score (for non-native English speakers only)

  Students whose native language is not English ARE REQUIRED to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score not more than two years old. Official tests results must be submitted directly to the Admissions Office from the testing services.  We will not accept any other language proficiency tests in lieu of the TOEFL or IELTS. While not required, candidates who have taken SAT or ACT tests are encouraged to submit their results, reported directly from the College Board (code #3434) or the American College Testing Service (code #1840).