VUS Application Process

Deadlines for Application

Harvard College offers a fall and spring term. The fall term runs from early September to late December and the spring term from late January to mid May. Please be aware that Visiting Undergraduate Students must be present for registration and final exams.

Applications for the VUS program are considered twice a year for fall or spring term admission. The deadlines to apply for admission are:

Fall term or full academic year: April 15
Spring term: October 15

Applications must be postmarked by the date of the deadline. Please do not submit admissions materials more than two months prior to either semester’s deadline.

Students who apply by October 15 will be informed of their acceptance by December 1.

Students who apply by April 15 will be informed by July 1.

Important Note for VUS candidates

By applying to be a Visiting Undergraduate Student, you understand:

• VUS candidates are not eligible for Harvard financial aid;
• Enrolled VUS are not offered University housing;
• Enrolled VUS are not eligible to apply for transfer admission.

How to Apply

If you wish to receive Visiting Undergraduate Student (VUS) application materials by mail, please submit an inquiry. You may also download an application. We request that you submit your completed application prior to the accompanying materials. Please do not submit admissions materials more than two months prior to the deadlines.

The committee requires:

• A tentative plan of study
• An essay concerning your reasons to study at Harvard
• Two recommendations from faculty members, submitted on the appropriate forms as part of the application
• Your high school transcript, and
• Your college transcript.

In addition, the approval of your current academic dean or adviser to undertake a program of study at Harvard is necessary. Your college or university ordinarily must agree to give you transfer credit for the work once it has been successfully completed. (This form is part of the application.)

The results of the SAT I: Reasoning Test or ACT are strongly recommended for all applicants, and the TOEFL is required of all international students whose native language is not English.

For further questions, please e-mail adm-vus@fas.harvard.edu or call (617) 495-9707.

Selection Process for Visiting Undergraduate Students

Applicants are usually but not always in their third year. The committee looks for students with strong educational reasons to study at Harvard College and for evidence of academic strength and personal integrity. The committee will select students with coherent plans of study and with well-documented reasons for studying at the College. Your academic preparation for your proposed plan of study will be taken into consideration, and the approval of your current college or university is also important. The availability of space in the courses you wish to undertake will also be a factor.