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Frequently Asked Questions: Admissions
Application Requirements
Which teachers should write recommendations?
Teachers who know the applicant well and who have taught him or her in academic subjects (preferably in the final two years of secondary school) most often provide us with the most valuable testimony.
Should students send supplementary recommendations?
While we can make careful evaluations with required recommendations, we are happy to read helpful letters from people directly familiar with applicants' lives outside the classroom. Such letters are not necessary, however, and it is generally advisable to submit no more than two or three.
Is there a personal interview?
When and where possible, we try to arrange for applicants to meet with alumni/ae in or near their school communities. No candidate is at a disadvantage if an interview cannot be arranged. In the U.S., Canada and the U.K., an alumnus/a will contact an applicant directly by phone, email, or letter if such an interview is possible. If you live outside these areas, please check our website for country-specific instructions.
How can I request a fee waiver?
If paying the $65 fee would cause undue financial hardship for your family, we encourage you to request a fee waiver. You should contact your guidance counselor for assistance in obtaining the waiver. Information on the College Board fee waiver program is available at http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/the-application/922.html. Your counselor may use the College Board form, or your schools own form. If no form is available, your counselor may choose to write a personal letter testifying that he or she is familiar with your familys financial circumstances and believes payment would cause hardship.
If you submit a form signed by authorized school personnel, you can assume it will be accepted. If we have any questions, we will contact you.
If you submit a form signed by authorized school personnel, you can assume it will be accepted. If we have any questions, we will contact you.
How can I pay my application fee?
The $65 application processing fee can be paid online by going to http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu . Choose "Tools for Applicants" then "Pay fee online". We accept only MasterCard or Visa.
When completing the on-line payment information, it is important that you enter the applicant's name exactly as it appears on the application. Also, the applicant's date of birth must be in the format illustrated on the site, e.g. July 2, 1989 should be entered as 07-02-1989.
You may also send a check drawn on a US bank in US dollars to:
Harvard College Admissions
86 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Please be sure to write the name and date of birth of the applicant on the check!
When completing the on-line payment information, it is important that you enter the applicant's name exactly as it appears on the application. Also, the applicant's date of birth must be in the format illustrated on the site, e.g. July 2, 1989 should be entered as 07-02-1989.
You may also send a check drawn on a US bank in US dollars to:
Harvard College Admissions
86 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Please be sure to write the name and date of birth of the applicant on the check!
Can I get a receipt for my application fee?
If you paid on-line, your e-mail confirmation is your receipt. If you paid by check, your cancelled check (or image sent by your bank) is your receipt. We do not send any other acknowledgment of payment. If payment is missing, we will contact you.
Important note: Payments are tracked only by Harvard's database. Please disregard any notification of payment status posted on the Common Application or Universal College Application website.
If your question has not been answered, please submit your question to admfee@fas.harvard.edu. One of our staff members will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.
Important note: Payments are tracked only by Harvard's database. Please disregard any notification of payment status posted on the Common Application or Universal College Application website.
If your question has not been answered, please submit your question to admfee@fas.harvard.edu. One of our staff members will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.