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GRADUATE APPLICATION INFORMATION SESSION
GRADUATE APPLICATION
INFORMATION SESSION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Application Cycle Dates and Deadlines
2. Admission Criteria
3. Admission Requirements: Eligibility
4. Application Components
5. Financial Aid
6. Questions
Open from November 1 – December 1
Fall 2020 Application Cycle
You should apply now if:
you have already completed the
stipulated courses for admission
with grades of B or higher
ORyou are currently completing the
stipulated courses for admission
during the Fall 2020 semester
Admissions Criteria
• Grades of B or higher in the stipulated
courses for admission
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Submission of a complete and
satisfactory application, including all
supplemental materials, by the application
cycle deadline of December 1
• APPLY EARLY! Applications
submitted toward the beginning of
the cycle have a higher rate of
acceptance.
• Do not submit an application if
you cannot meet the deadline.
Application fees and late fees are
non-refundable and non-transferable.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: ELIGIBILITY
• have a regionally accredited four-year bachelor’s degree from a US institution
(or the international equivalent) with a degree conferral date that precedes
enrollment in graduate-level courses taken at Harvard Extension School.
• be financially clear from all other higher education institutions
• not already hold a graduate degree in a similar field
– If you are unsure, and because the Admissions Office makes all final
determinations about program eligibility, we strongly encourage you to
inquire with us in advance of applying.
• For the Biotech fields (Biotechnology, Bioengineering & Nanotechnology): have
completed at least one year of post baccalaureate scientific research, and hold
an undergraduate degree in an area of physical, life, or computer science.
To be eligible for admission, you must…
• Application form
• Up-to-date CV/Resume
• Personal Statement
• Official transcripts from all degree granting institutions
• CED Evaluation (if applicable)
• Additional Materials required by specific programs
• Application Fee
APPLICATION COMPONENTS
APPLICATION COMPONENTS: APPLICATION FORM
• The application portal is linked on the
Graduate Degree Program Admissions
webpage under Step 4. If you are
unable to access the portal, please
contact our office at
• Provides biographical information about
the applicant, such as name, address,
and contact information, as well as
educational history. You will need to list
each school from which you’ve earned
a degree.
APPLICATION COMPONENTS: CV/RESUME
• Include all relevant educational and professional history
• Make sure it is up-to-date
• No strict format – this is up to you!
Note: If you reference your coursework at the Harvard
Extension School on your resume, make sure it adheres
to our formatting standards found on the Graduation
and Honors page:
Master of Liberal Arts, Harvard University Extension
School.
• Include field of study
Master of Liberal Arts, Extension Studies, Harvard
University.
• Include field of study
APPLICATION COMPONENTS: PERSONAL STATEMENT
Prompt: Tell us about why you are choosing to pursue this degree at Harvard Extension
School. (Found on the Extension Application Portal)
Recommended Length: 500 words
Tips:
• Organize your ideas and write your essay offline. The portal will not automatically save
your responses.
• Think about your personal, professional, and educational goals
• Proofread!
APPLICATION COMPONENTS: TRANSCRIPTS
• As part of your application, you need to submit official transcripts from all
degree granting institutions.
• This includes associate’s, bachelor’s, and graduate degrees
• MITx MicroMasters student record, if applicable
• HBS Online CORe transcript, if applicable
• Transcripts must be sent directly to our office from your institution.
• Electronic transcripts can be sent to: [email protected].
• Sealed paper transcripts can be sent to:
Admissions Office
Harvard Extension School
51 Brattle Street
Cambridge MA 02138
APPLICATION COMPONENTS: CED EVALUATION
If you've earned an undergraduate degree outside
the United States, it must be evaluated by the
Center for Educational Documentation (CED).
Contact your college/university and request two
official transcripts: one to be sent directly to the
CED and one to be sent directly to the Admissions
Office.
Students must contact the CED through their
website to request a general evaluation, for which
a fee is charged. http://www.cedevaluations.com/
Instruct the CED to send its evaluation directly to
the Harvard Extension School Admissions Office,
51 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 or
APPLICATION COMPONENTS: ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
For the IT fields (Data Science, Digital Media
Design, Software Engineering, Information
Management Systems):
• Passing score on the CRWS test or a grade
of B or higher in the designated alternative
expository writing course.
• Take the test by December 1 to have your
score as part of this application cycle.
For the Biotech fields (Biotechnology,
Bioengineering & Nanotechnology):
• Letter of recommendation from your post-
baccalaureate research supervisor
APPLICATION COMPONENTS: APPLICATION FEE*
• Completed 4 or fewer courses at the time
of application: $100 application fee
• Completed 5 or more courses at the time
of application: $100 application fee +
$300 delayed application fee
• Completed a certificate by the time of
application: $100 application fee
* These fees are only valid for the Fall 2020
application cycle. Complete fee information is
available on the Graduate Degree Program
Admissions page.
Priority Deadline for Spring 2021 aid: November 1, 2020
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for admitted degree candidates who meet the eligibility
criteria. Review criteria on our website:
https://www.extension.harvard.edu/registration-admissions/financial-aid
Financial Aid Inquires should be directed to Student Financial Services:
