Savanna Hoffman
Harvard University is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, and its admissions process is highly competitive. Each year, thousands of international students apply to Harvard, and the university welcomes applications from students all over the world, regardless of nationality or citizenship. The application requirements are the same for all first-year candidates, whether they are from the US or not. This guide will outline the steps international students need to take to apply to Harvard University, including important information about visas, financial aid, and standardized testing requirements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application requirements | All first-year candidates must complete the Common Application or the Coalition Application along with the required supplements. |
| Admissions process | The same for all applicants, regardless of nationality or citizenship. |
| Financial aid | The same for all applicants, regardless of nationality or citizenship. All aid is based on financial need. |
| Documentation | Documentation submitted by schools outside the US may differ from that submitted by an American high school and may require specialized knowledge. |
| Quotas | No quotas or limits based on citizenship or location of high school. |
| Standardized testing | SAT or ACT scores are expected, along with other forms of testing such as AP, IB, GCSE, or National Leaving Exams. English language proficiency exams (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo) are not accepted to meet the standardized testing requirement but can be submitted for review. |
| Visa requirements | Non-US students must obtain a Form I-20 and an F-1 student visa for full-time, for-credit, on-campus courses. ESTA and B-class visas are only for tourism and do not allow for-credit study. |
| Fee waivers | Available for students who cannot afford the application fee. Requesting a fee waiver will not disadvantage an application. |
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What You'll Learn
Application requirements
Harvard University welcomes applications from students across the world. The application requirements are the same for all applicants, regardless of whether they are based inside or outside the US. All first-year candidates must complete the Common Application or the Coalition Application, along with any required supplements. There is no preference for either application, and each is treated equally by the Admissions Committee.
Harvard does not have quotas or limits based on citizenship or the location of the high school attended. Admissions decisions are made without regard to whether an applicant has applied for financial aid, even if the applicant is a foreign citizen. Financial aid policies are the same for all applicants, regardless of nationality or citizenship. All aid is based on financial need, and Harvard meets each student's demonstrated need.
International students seeking online courses and non-residential programs can apply to the Harvard Extension School. If you are not currently in the US and would like to study on campus, you must participate in full-time, for-credit, on-campus courses at Harvard Summer School. You will need to submit documentation (financial and biographical) as part of a Form I-20 application, register for courses, apply for housing, and coordinate with the US government.
The Admissions Committee expects applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. Students who have other forms of testing listed above (AP, IB, GCSE, or National Leaving Exams) are still expected to take an SAT or ACT and submit those scores, unless limited by financial considerations or test availability. 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.
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Financial aid
Harvard University has a need-blind application process for all students, meaning that applying for financial aid will have no impact on your admissions decision. The admissions and financial aid processes are the same for all applicants, regardless of nationality or citizenship. The university promises to meet 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students, including foreign students.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
The process to apply for financial aid is the same for all prospective students, regardless of citizenship. You will need to submit a CSS (College Scholarship Service) Profile and an IDOC (International Documentation Service) Packet. The CSS Profile can be completed by signing in with your College Board account (you may need to create one). The College Board provides a useful guide on how to get started, including the documents/information that you need to have while filling in the profile. Once you have completed and submitted the CSS Profile, you will be required to submit supplemental materials as per Harvard's financial aid application requirements through the IDOC portal. These may include a letter from your parent’s employer stating income and all deductions, and official salary slips.
Types of Financial Aid
Harvard offers various types of financial aid to international students. Although foreign students are not eligible for any federal funding, the university has its own job and scholarship money available. Twenty-four percent of students pay nothing to attend, and more than half receive need-based scholarships. In addition to aid for tuition, Harvard offers millions of dollars in student funding for public service, research and learning, international travel, and career opportunities. All students who are on financial aid, including international students, have a travel allowance included in their financial aid award to help cover the cost of travel to and from Cambridge. International students may also be able to work on the Harvard campus depending on their visa status, although they are generally restricted from working in the United States. Many international students utilize loan programs in their home nations, and may also borrow supplemental loans through some private lenders, although they will generally require a creditworthy co-signer/co-borrower who is a U.S. citizen.
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Standardised testing
Harvard requires either an SAT or an ACT to meet its standardised testing requirement. Students may self-report their scores. In cases where students are unable to submit SAT or ACT scores, they will have the opportunity to explain why. This includes financial hardship, which may make students eligible for fee waivers.
In exceptional cases, other standardised tests may be accepted. Students may submit Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, A-levels, national leaving examinations, national or international contests, early high school assessment scores such as the PSAT or pre-ACT, or courses taken outside school during the school year or summer.
Students who have other forms of testing (AP, IB, GCSE, or National Leaving Exams) are still expected to take an SAT or ACT and submit those scores if financial considerations or test availability would not limit their ability to do so. English language proficiency examinations such as the TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo cannot be used to meet the standardised testing requirement, though students are welcome to submit them for review as part of their application materials.
There are no score cutoffs, and Harvard does not admit "by the numbers". For the ACT, the highest composite score and any other scores shared by the applicant will be considered. Harvard takes into account the applicant's educational background when reviewing scores.
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Visas
The type of visa you need will depend on your reason for visiting the United States. If you are an international student planning to study at Harvard, you will need to obtain a student visa. The specific type of student visa you will need is an F-1 visa, which is for full-time, for-credit academic studies. To obtain this visa, you will need to apply for a Form I-20 from Harvard Summer School.
The Form I-20 application process involves submitting various documents, including financial and biographical information. You will also need to register for courses and apply for on-campus housing, if desired. It is recommended to start this process early, ideally in early January, to ensure that you meet all the requirements and obtain your visa on time.
After receiving your Form I-20, you will need to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee to the Department of Homeland Security. This fee covers the costs of updating the SEVIS system, which tracks information on F and J visa holders. You can pay this fee online using a credit card, or by other specified methods if you are from certain countries.
Once you have your Form I-20 and have paid the SEVIS fee, you can proceed with the visa application process. This includes completing the DS-160 form and scheduling an appointment at a US embassy or consulate. Due to varying processing times, it is important to start the visa application process early to ensure you receive your visa before your intended travel date.
It is important to note that the ESTA visa waiver and B1/B2 tourist visas do not allow for-credit study. Attempting to enter the United States with these visas for the purpose of earning credit is a violation of US immigration regulations, and you may risk being denied entry. Therefore, if you plan to study at Harvard as an international student, ensure that you obtain the correct type of visa, such as the F-1 student visa, by following the required procedures.
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Travel
As an international student applying to Harvard, you may be concerned about the costs of travelling to Cambridge, Massachusetts. However, Harvard offers financial aid to all students, including international students, based on financial need. If you receive significant financial aid, you will be given a travel stipend to help cover the cost of travel to and from Cambridge.
Additionally, if the application fee is a burden for you, you can apply for a fee waiver. Requesting a fee waiver will not disadvantage your application in any way. In fact, 20% of Harvard students end up paying no tuition at all.
If you are an international student interested in applying to Harvard, it is recommended 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.
It is important to note that Harvard's admissions and financial aid processes are the same for all applicants, regardless of nationality or citizenship. The application requirements are also the same for all applicants, whether they attend high school inside or outside the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
All first-year candidates, including international students, must complete the Common Application or the Coalition Application, along with any required supplements. The admissions and financial aid processes are the same for all applicants, regardless of nationality or citizenship.
If you are not currently in the United States and wish to study on campus, you must participate in full-time, for-credit, on-campus courses and apply for a Form I-20 for the F-1 student visa. ESTA and B-2 visas are only for tourists and do not allow for-credit study.
The Admissions Committee expects applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. Students who have AP, IB, GCSE, or National Leaving Exam scores are still encouraged to take the SAT or ACT. English language proficiency exams such as the TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo cannot be used to meet the standardized testing requirement but can be submitted for review.
