Special Options
Faculty Aide Program
You may become a research assistant to a faculty member if you have a 3.0 or higher GPA and at least 32 Extension School credits. This program provides an opportunity to sharpen your research skills while supporting faculty in their research projects. You can also gain classroom experience through internship opportunities at St. Peter’s School. Ordinarily, you can hold 1 faculty aide position per term and earn $12 an hour for up to 50 hours. Approval of faculty aide projects is contingent on availability of funds. Review the Faculty Aide Program information sheet and petition (see Forms).
Dossier service
To facilitate the graduate school or employment application process, the Undergraduate Office can maintain a dossier file of your confidential letters of recommendation. The staff will send out official copies of the letters to graduate schools or potential employers at your request. This option is appealing to recommenders, who only need to write 1 letter that can be used for multiple readers. Letters are available to you for 10 years. If interested, download the dossier form (see Forms).
Study abroad
Harvard Summer School offers study abroad opportunities for 8 credits. In addition, the undergraduate program can help you find international-study programs that fit your budget and schedule, and can support your application to federally funded and prestigious scholarships, such as the Gilman, Boren Awards for International Study, Fulbright, and Marshall.
Reading and research course
Pursue your own research project under the supervision of a teaching member of Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences or 1 of Harvard’s graduate schools. The option counts as 4 credits. To be eligible, you must have completed 64 credits toward the degree, with 32 credits at the Extension School and 12 credits in the research area, and have a GPA of 3.33 or higher. Usually, you complete 1 reading and research project (similar to an undergraduate thesis) in your final year. You must meet with the program director before proposing projects.
The application deadline is August 15 for fall projects, January 15 for spring projects, and June 1 for summer projects. Tuition is $1,050 for fall or spring. See Forms to download a reading and research proposal form.
Special Student status
Special Student status enables you to enroll in 2 courses a term for an academic year in the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS). If you have a 3.33 GPA and have completed 32 credits at the Extension School you may apply, with recommendations from the program director and 2 instructors. Meet with the program director before applying.
The deadlines are September 1 for spring 2010 and February 1 for fall 2010. Special Students pay the full FAS tuition of $4,210 per course. A limited number of scholarships are available. See Forms to download the Special Student Information Sheet and Petition.
Phillips Brooks House Association
This student-run public service organization at Harvard University consists of 77 program committees and more than 1,800 student volunteers, and serves close to 10,000 clients in the Cambridge and Boston area. You can volunteer with association programs on a referral basis. Schedule an appointment with Suzanne Spreadbury before August 15 to be eligible for fall opportunities and before January 15 for spring opportunities.