Individuals who have served in the U.S. military bring valuable perspectives to our community and we welcome applications from veterans for both first-year and transfer admission.
We consider high academic standards, leadership in non-academic areas, and personal qualities in all of our admission decisions. However, the many and unique experiences which constitute military service at all levels usually become an important part of a veteran’s application.
The first thing you will need to determine is your eligibility to apply either as a first-year or transfer student. If you have not completed a full year of college course work, you can apply as a first-year student. If you have completed more than one year’s worth of college courses, but less than two years in total, you can apply as a transfer student.
Please note that if you have more than two years of college course work, you are not eligible for admission to Harvard College. Also, please note that military training courses do not count for entrance either as a first-year or transfer student.
We encourage all U.S. military veterans to review our application requirements. If you have specific questions, please contact us; we are here to help. It's also worth noting that Harvard is a member of Service to School’s VetLink program, which provides advising and support to veterans throughout the college application process.
Don't let the application fee prevent you from applying - we automatically waive the application fee for ALL U.S. military veteran applicants.
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Women vets at Harvard College
Harvard College participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Veterans typically receive benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, in addition to the Post 9/11 GI Bill® programs. Harvard’s generous need-based financial aid program may supplement or even replace the use of veteran’s benefits toward the total cost of attendance. We will also waive the application fee if it presents a hardship on you or your family. Don’t let the cost stand in the way of pursuing a Harvard education.
Use our Net Price Calculator to get a quick estimate of how much Harvard will really cost you.
We've compiled a list of frequently asked questions specifically for prospective students who have U.S. Military experience. We also recommend visiting the Harvard Undergraduate Veterans Organization website to learn more. If you can't find an answer to your question, don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to help.
There is no separate or different admissions process for applicants who are or will be veterans. Applicants with less than one year of college credit may apply as first-year students and those with between one and two years of college credit may apply as transfer students. Please visit the U.S. Military Veterans page to learn more about admissions and financial aid.
To be eligible to transfer to Harvard College, you must have satisfactorily completed at least one continuous academic year in a full-time degree program at one college by your anticipated date of matriculation at Harvard, and not have completed more than two years total in college. Please note that once a student has completed more than two years of college coursework at another institution, regardless of the courses taken, that student is no longer eligible for transfer admission or freshman admission. Our office cannot make exceptions to this policy as it is set by the Harvard faculty. If you do not meet the above requirements and have not yet completed one continuous academic year in a full-time degree program at one college, then you may apply for freshman admission to Harvard College. Please note that if you are eligible to apply as a freshman that any college coursework you have completed would not transfer to Harvard College.
Yes, Harvard College offers both student and alumni groups for veterans. Please visit the Harvard Undergraduate Veterans Organization for information about our student group and Harvard Veterans for information about our alumni group.
No, while Harvard College is predominantly residential, some students do not live in College housing. Undergraduates living off campus may elect to be members of Dudley Community. This option has appealed to a number of students, including married students and students who wish to be part of a fully non-residential community. Students who are part of Dudley Community are eligible for meal contracts in Dudley Community and are included in all social and cultural activities sponsored by the Community. They are "deaned" by the Allston Burr Resident Dean of Dudley Community and are advised for purposes of fellowship and professional school application by Dudley Community tutors.
Military-specific coursework or credits earned via military training and service, including courses appearing on Joint Services Transcripts, are not generally accepted for transfer credit at Harvard. Online courses are also not generally eligible for transfer credit. Only courses that are liberal arts in nature (in fields comparable to those offered at Harvard College), and that were taken in person while enrolled as a full-time college student, can be considered for transfer credit. The Faculty of Arts and Sciences Registrar Office evaluates transcripts for all admitted transfer students to determine course transferability once a student has been admitted.
We consider an applicant’s full range of experiences and growth from those experiences, especially for veterans. A weak high school transcript does not necessarily mean you will not be a compelling candidate for Harvard. Look at your high school transcript with a critical eye, identify what your weaknesses in the classroom might have been and think about what you have done since that time to address those weaknesses. Be prepared to explain any steps you have taken to improve.
We fully understand that high school teachers may not remember you or still be at your school. We normally suggest that you get a similar set of letters from people who know you well in your current phase of life, such as commanding officers or other professors/instructors (if you have pursued any coursework since high school). Helpful letters might address how you dealt with adversity, stress, or other challenges, how you got along with your peers and how you have maximized opportunities available to you – all critical components to success at Harvard and beyond.
Interviews are not required for admission. If you are contacted for an interview and are not able to leave base, please call our office (617-495-1551) so that we may assist. If you are applying as a transfer student, please know that interviews are not routinely offered to transfer applicants. In cases where it is difficult to reach an applicant we may request a phone or Skype interview.
Harvard College does not presently offer an option to work toward a degree remotely. Harvard Extension School offers more flexible options for students seeking opportunities to study remotely. Learn more about the Extension School's undergraduate degrees.
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