• Information Sessions & Tours

  We encourage prospective students to learn more about Harvard College by attending an information session and campus tour. Our information sessions are led by admissions officers, usually accompanied by current undergraduates. Typical discussion topics include academic and non-academic life, housing, the admissions process, and financial aid. Walking tours are conducted by Harvard students. In addition to showing prominent landmarks such as academic buildings and residence halls, our tour guides draw heavily on their own experience to describe daily life at the College. Tours generally will last for an hour and they do not enter classrooms or dormitories.

  Registration for information sessions and tours is required.

  View our schedule of upcoming information sessions and tours here. 

• Visitor Center Hours

  On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday our office and phone lines are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. On Wednesdays, our office and phone lines are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET.

• Group Tours

  Groups of 10 or fewer must check-in at the Visitor Center at least fifteen minutes prior to their scheduled event. Groups that arrive more than 15 minutes late will forfeit registration and will not be allowed into the information session. 

  We will not accommodate smaller units of larger groups. For example, a large group which seeks to enter the information session or join the campus tour by reducing their larger group into smaller segments will not be accommodated.

Other Ways to Visit Campus

• School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Tours

  Take a student-led supplemental tour focused on Harvard’s undergraduate programs in engineering and applied sciences. Tours last approximately 60 minutes. View the SEAS Tours schedule and register here.

• Stay Overnight

  For High School Seniors Only: Stay overnight in a Harvard dorm and see firsthand what residential life is like. You'll be hosted by a current undergraduate student for one night and have the opportunity to visit classes and get an insider's look at the opportunities available at Harvard. Registration for the 2020 fall semester will become available in August 2020; please revisit this page at that time.

• Attend a Class

  Sit in on an undergraduate class and see what makes Harvard, Harvard. We will help you find a class that fits your visit schedule and interests. View the Fall 2019 schedule (PDF) here.

Transportation Details

• Traveling by Public Transit (MBTA)

  From Logan Airport

  • For travel by subway, take the SILVER LINE to South Station. Then switch to the RED LINE (inbound toward Alewife). Travel six stops to HARVARD SQUARE. The subway ride from Logan Airport takes about 45 minutes and the fare is $2.00.
  • By taxi, the ride will take about 20 to 30 minutes to reach Harvard Square, depending on traffic, and will cost about $35.

  From South Station (bus/train)

  • Take the RED LINE (inbound toward Alewife) and travel six stops to HARVARD SQUARE.

• Driving

  Traffic in and around Harvard Square can be heavy, so in order to get to the Visitor Center on time for an information session and tour, please allow for an extra 30 to 40 minutes of travel time.

• Parking Around Campus

  On-street / metered parking:

  On-street parking in Cambridge is available, but scarce. Parking meters run from one to two hours, and will take quarters only. The Admissions Office cannot make change and does not maintain a supply of coins, so please bring quarters with you. A further advisory: Cambridge parking violations start at $25.00, and meters are monitored closely by transportation officers. We do not reimburse visitors for parking tickets you may acquire. 

  Please call ahead to the parking venue you’re considering, because parking spots fill up quickly during peak season.

  Commercial garages offering daily parking:

  • Pilgrim Parking, 41 Church Street, Cambridge, MA, 617-661-5614
  • University Place Garage, 124 Mt. Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA 617-491-0801
  • The Charles Hotel Garage, 1 Bennett Street, Cambridge, MA 617-864-1200

  Campus parking options:

  You may purchase a pass online for Harvard garages on Oxford Street and Broadway (7 Felton Street in Cambridge). You will need a printer to complete this transaction. When prompted, select: 

  • Department: Admin. & Financial Aid
  • Department Code: 3003

  See additional campus parking information.

  For visitors with disabilities:

  For parking requests based on disability or medical conditions, please contact the University Disability Coordinator at 617-495-1859 or email disabilityservices@harvard.edu 7-10 days before your planned visit.

• Hotels & Accommodations

  We have compiled a list of local hotels below that may be helpful to you as you make plans for your visit.

  Within walking distance

  • The Charles Hotel ($$$; ask for the special campus visit rate) 617-864-1200/800-882-1818
  • Sheraton Commander Hotel ($$) 617-547-4800/800-535-5007
  • Harvard Square Hotel ($-$$$) 617-864-5200/800-458-5886
  • Irving House ($) 617-547-4699/877-547-4600
  • Hotel Veritas ($$$) 617-520-5000
  • Harvard Faculty Club ($$$) 617-495-5758

  Within three miles of Harvard

  • Double Tree Guest Suites ($$) 617-783-0090/800-754-7515
  • Freepoint Hotel ($; ask for Harvard admissions rate) 617-491-8000/855-752-2005
  • Hyatt Regency Cambridge ($$) 617-492-1234/800-233-1234
  • Cambridge Marriott ($$) 617-494-6600/800-228-9290
  • Courtyard By Marriott Boston/Cambridge ($$) 617-492-7777
  • The Kendall Hotel ($-$$) 617-577-1300
  • The Mary Prentiss Inn ($-$$) 617-661-2929
  • Studio Allston Hotel ($-$$; ask for Harvard admissions rate) 617-440-3274/617-206-1848
  • Sheraton Boston Hotel ($) 617-236-2000/866-716-8120
  • Le Meridien Cambridge ($) 617-577-0200/866-716-8119
  • Holiday Inn Boston-Bunker Hill ($) 617-628-1000/877-840-7557

  ($)=$100-$200
  ($$)=$200-$300
  ($$$)=$300+

Select a group to contact:

• Undergraduate Minority Recruitment Program

  The Undergraduate Minority Recruitment Program (UMRP) is sponsored by the Admissions Office. The UMRP focuses on expanding awareness of and providing information about our diverse campus community and the application process at Harvard College to minority middle and high school students. Staffed by current undergraduates, the UMRP fields questions about the Harvard College experience, as well as the application process. We also arrange on-campus and overnight visits, in addition to special information sessions and tours.

  The UMRP at Harvard College is not directly involved in the admissions process or any decisions concerning the acceptance of prospective students.  

  Learn more and contact the UMRP

• Harvard Financial Aid Initiative

  We are committed to ensuring all admitted students have the opportunity to attend Harvard, regardless of the economic obstacles they have encountered. We launched the Harvard Financial Aid Initiative (HFAI) in 2004 to enhance this effort and to raise awareness of college affordability for students interested in all kinds of colleges and universities.

  Our student coordinators are eager to discuss student life, the basics of financial aid policy, and the specifics of the Harvard application.

  Learn more and contact HFAI

• Harvard First Generation Program

  The Admissions and Financial Aid Office’s Harvard First Generation Program (HFGP) focuses on directing college awareness to future first-generation college students. Our HFGP coordinators will provide support and information as you begin to navigate the college application process. Contact us with any questions about admissions, financial aid, or first-gen life at Harvard. 

  Learn more and contact the HFGP

• Harvard College Connection

  The Harvard College Connection (HCC) is an Admissions Office initiative to use digital media to reach out to promising students and encourage them to apply to Harvard. The HCC bolsters ongoing efforts to ensure that students from every socioeconomic background know about college and financial aid options, at Harvard and elsewhere. 

  Learn more and contact the HCC