Gsas special students program
Departments are the best source of information about prerequisites that must be met for each course, as well as the days and times that classes meet. Contact information for the departments is available from university directory assistance at Admission to any course is contingent upon: 1 the instructor's approval, 2 fulfillment of any prerequisites and 3 space availability in the course. To take courses as a special student you must complete the following steps before the end of the registration period of the term in which you would like to enroll.
An academic record is maintained for each special student and the student's work will be graded and recorded in accordance with the prevailing policies of the Graduate School. Credit earned as a special student will be reported, at the student's request, to other institutions. Deferments are not available for this program. If you are unable to attend the semester to which you were admitted then please email the Special Students and Visiting Fellows Program office immediately; you will need to create a new application account and submit a new application.
Because this is considered a re-application, all your previously-submitted documents are attached to the new application and no new documents are required. Please note why you were unable to attend when you reapply.
If you were admitted for the full academic year but you now plan to only attend in the spring, please email the Special Students and Visiting Fellows Program office. But you must submit a new application for admission in a subsequent year. You will also need to submit an additional application fee.
Please be aware that GSAS will not accept more than three unsuccessful applications from any individual during the course of their academic career. While the program is intended for a short period of study, you may reapply in order to extend your program. Reapplications are considered on a case-by-case basis.
You will need to create a new application account and submit a new application. When reapplying, you will not need to submit new supporting materials, however, you may wish to update your statement or add transcripts. In general, office space is extremely limited, with only a few departments providing offices to visiting fellows.
However, you may request a study carrel at Widener Library. Carrels are free of charge and are assigned on a yearly basis.
Laboratory space is also limited. Please note any special requirements in your application and discuss whether space is available with your affiliated department.
Special students and visiting fellows are responsible for finding their own housing. Most visiting fellows seek off-campus, non-Harvard housing. The Harvard-Cambridge area is highly residential and close to campus. Also, much of the city of Boston including Allston is accessible by public transportation, as are the surrounding towns of Arlington, Belmont, Brookline, Somerville, and Watertown. Harvard University Housing also has options to consider. Visiting fellows and special students are eligible to apply for limited campus housing at the Cronkhite Graduate Center or in the GSAS residence halls, though married couples and other family members cannot be accommodated.
Housing applications may be submitted only after academic admission non-degree students please ignore the deadline as that applies only to degree students.
Special Students Can I affiliate with more than one department or program? Can special students transfer into a degree-seeking program? As a special student, can I register in limited-enrollment courses?
Can I focus only on an independent research project? Can I conduct premedical coursework and receive advising as a special student? Can special students take courses during the summer? Can special students enroll in courses at another Harvard school? Can I take Harvard classes? Visiting Fellows Can I affiliate with more than one department or program?
Can I take a course for credit as a visiting fellow? Can I audit a class at another Harvard School or local university? As a visiting fellow, can I apply to a degree-seeking program? Can I register as a visiting fellow? I want to be a visiting fellow at another Harvard School. International Students and Fellows How many courses are international special students required to take each term? Do audited courses or independent research study count toward my visa requirements?
Will Harvard sponsor my visa? Admission to the DSR as a Visiting Student is for one term or two terms and carries with it no commitment for further study. Visiting Students are enrolled in the Graduate School and have student privileges, including receiving a Yale transcript with coursework and grades listed. Students enrolled as Visiting Students are not eligible for financial aid or student loans. The first step to apply as a Visiting Student is to contact the department with which you wish to affiliate.
You may enroll in up to four courses per term, for a maximum of two terms one year. International applicants may only be admitted as full-time Visiting Students four courses per term due to visa requirements. Visiting Students are not eligible for financial aid from the Graduate School and must demonstrate sufficient financial support at the time of application. Applications are accepted only for the fall and spring terms.
Prerequisite: Prospective applicants to this program should first contact the department to which they wish to apply for more information and specific eligibility requirements.