Undergraduate Degrees

Getting Started

The following 4 steps can help you get started with the admissions process for the undergraduate program.

4 steps

STEP 1: Take expository writing.

A Harvard course in expository writing is required for admission. You should take either of the following:

These courses are modeled after expository writing at Harvard College and prepare you for academic writing tasks in future courses. Each counts toward the expository writing degree requirement.

Register early: These courses have limited enrollment and fill quickly, so we recommend enrolling online during the first week of registration.

Placement test

Before or after registering for EXPO E-25, you need to take a test of critical reading and writing skills, available online. See more information in Placement Tests. We strongly recommend that you take the test before registration: by July 12 for fall and November 29 for spring.

Before registering for EXPO E-25, you can take EXPO E-15 instead of the placement test. If you earn a B– you may register for EXPO E-25 the following term. To do this, you should register for EXPO E-25 during the registration period. Once grades are available for the previous term, if you have earned a B–, you may stay in the course. Be sure to register on the first day. Both courses count toward the degree and preadmission course requirements.

Nonnative English speakers

If English is not your native language, you are also required to demonstrate English language proficiency for EXPO E-15 and EXPO E-25.

STEP 2: Choose your courses for admission.

Beyond ensuring that EXPO E-25 or EXPO S-20 is 1 of the first courses you take, review the degree requirements and choose courses that interest you and are the appropriate level. We recommend you take only 1 course in your first semester. You can take more courses (up to 4) in subsequent semesters once you have a better sense of the workload and time commitment involved.

If you have not taken many college-level courses, you should choose lower-level, introductory courses. If you have completed college-level courses successfully, focus on courses that fulfill degree requirements.

Regardless of your transfer credit, you should prioritize courses that fulfill the requirements of quantitative reasoning, moral reasoning, writing-intensive, area of concentration, and Harvard-instructor, as these must be fulfilled at Harvard. The degree course search will help you identify courses that fulfill undergraduate requirements. We recommend that the majority of your preadmission courses be taught by Harvard instructors (indicated by HI in the degree course search), especially if you are transferring in the maximum number of credits (64). See Transfer Credit for more information.

If you wish to begin your studies online, see Undergraduate Distance Education.

STEP 3: Prepare to succeed.

Read through the syllabus for each of your courses, buy your books early (most books are available at the Harvard Coop), and start reading before you begin classes. Being familiar with the course content and completing the first assignment make for an easy transition to Harvard.

Review the calendar for the registration and withdrawal deadlines, and understand the consequences of withdrawing (see Academic Standing).

See Resources for student services offered to support your academic success.

STEP 4: Apply to the program.

You should submit the online undergraduate application during the term you anticipate completing EXPO E-25 or EXPO S-20 and all other admission requirements. If pertinent, also review and complete your financial aid and submit any necessary materials.

Once your application is complete, we send you an acceptance letter with an admission packet. This is the final step—once you receive this, you’re an officially admitted AA or ALB candidate.