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Frequently Asked Questions: International Applicants
A Residential College
Is on-campus housing guaranteed?
Harvard guarantees housing for all four years. First-year students live in one of the 17 dormitories in or adjacent to historic Harvard Yard. Self-selected groups of students are assigned to one of 12 residential Houses for the final three years of undergraduate study. About 350 to 500 students live in a House, each of which includes its own dining hall, library and advising staff, among other resources. Read more about first-year dormitories at The Freshman Dean's Office Website; read more about Harvard's Houses.
Must students live on campus?
Students must live in Harvard housing their first year at the College. A very small percentage of students choose to live off-campus as upperclassmen. Many students and alumni/ae, however, consider the House system one of the hallmarks of their Harvard experiences. Considering the diversity of student backgrounds, interests and talents, Harvard's residential program enhances the degree to which students - among our most powerful educational resources - learn from one another.
Should students be concerned for their safety at Harvard?
The University sponsors a comprehensive public safety program that includes a full campus police force, a walking escort service, a campus wide shuttle service, emergency phones, lighted pathways and a computer-card key system operating in all freshman and most other residences. Read Harvard's "Playing It Safe" handbook at The Harvard University Police Department Website.
Does Harvard provide services for students with disabilities?
Yes. The Accessible Education Office assists students with any impairment limiting their ability to walk, see, hear, speak, learn or write. Based on each student's successful strategies, the Center collaborates with faculty and staff to ensure individualized accommodation. Accessible housing and transportation are also available.
What advising and support services are available for Harvard undergraduates?
Woven into Harvard's first-year and upper class residences are a variety of academic and other advising resources that make the residential experience at Harvard distinctive. First-year students benefit from the guidance which resident proctors provide about living in Cambridge and studying at the College. Each House also has its own staff of advisers - resident tutors - similar to first-year proctors but with expertise in particular academic and professional fields. The College offers extensive advising resources of other kinds. When students need extra help in coursework, they can turn to the Bureau of Study Counsel. The Office of Career Services offers career counseling. The University maintains its own outstanding health services. The Undergraduate Financial Aid Office helps students with financial aid issues, and the Student Employment Office helps place students in jobs on and off campus. Finally, the International Office serves exclusively the special needs of international students.
Are there extracurricular opportunities available for students?
Yes! There are more than 250 student-run organizations at Harvard, among them dozens of publications, five orchestras, an extensive community service program, 41 intercollegiate athletic teams and an assortment of other activities - artistic, musical, political and social. There is never a shortage of things to do at Harvard. Consult www.college.harvard.edu/student/ for more information about extracurriculars at the College.