Higher Education

Frequently Asked Questions for incoming (accepted) students

When do classes begin?

Fall semester classes begin on Tuesday, September 4. The 2012-2013 HGSE academic calendar can be viewed online.

When and what is Orientation?

Orientation is scheduled to begin on Monday, August 27 and will run until Friday, August 31. You will be contacted by the Office of Student Affairs sometime late in the summer with information detailing a full Orientation schedule. The schedule itself will be posted on MyGSE, HGSE's intranet (this resource will become available to you once you've received your Harvard student ID). Orientation activities include a Higher Education Program meeting, meetings with your advisor, presentations from various HGSE offices, 2 days of course shopping (explained in an FAQ a bit further down this list), and also some fun social events.

How can I find a place to live?

Many newly admitted students express nervousness about finding housing in the Cambridge/Boston area but, while it can present challenges to some, rest assured that something will and always does work out! You can find many listings at the Harvard Housing Office. Additionally, Craigslist is a popular alternative in finding affordable and nearby housing. If you are not familiar with the Boston area, please note that there are many areas outside of Harvard Square that are considerably more affordable while still easily accessible by train or bus. Alternatives to Harvard Square include Central, Porter and Davis Squares (in Cambridge and Somerville). Other options include Allston, Brighton, Brookline, and Dorchester.

What about campus and/or housing tours?

In terms of campus tours, HGSE's campus is limited to just a few buildings, so there aren't any official tours here. However, free Harvard University tours are offered twice a day - at 10am and 2pm. For more specific information, please visit the Harvard News Office. The tours leave the Harvard Information Center in Holyoke Center, 1350 Massachusetts Ave. To inquire about housing tours, your best bet is probably to contact the GSAS Housing Services office directly.

Do I choose an advisor or is one assigned to me?

All students in the Higher Ed program are assigned an advisor who is a member of the Higher Education faculty. While we do our best to match each student with someone who appears to have a related interest or background, we think you'll find all members of the Higher Ed faculty to be easily accessible and committed to the success of students in the program. You will receive your advisor assignment when you pick up your information packet on the first day of Orientation.

When/How do I register for courses?

Online course enrollment will begin on Tuesday, August 28 and end on Friday, August 31, - the last day of Orientation. On Tuesday and Wednesday of Orientation, students will take part in what we call “Shopping Classes.” Shopping is held at the beginning of each semester, and is a time for faculty to provide students with an overview of the course. We advise that you shop all courses in which you may be interested; it is a great opportunity to sample a course and to meet the faculty member prior to registering for the class.

Can HGSE students cross-register at other schools within Harvard?

Cross-registration is popular among HGSE students - particularly at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard Business School, Harvard Law School, and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences - and the chance to engage in studies at another Harvard school is one of the many benefits of being a student here. Please visit Harvard’s Cross Registration website for more information.

How many classes can we take per semester?

A full course load for full-time students is four classes a semester; two courses for part-time students. Full-time students have the opportunity to enroll in a fifth class at no additional tuition cost.

How do I go about finding an internship?

Beginning as early as May and continuing straight through September, we receive a large assortment of internship postings. As soon as the listserv for the new program cohort is created (usually in mid May), the Higher Education Program Coordinator, Caron Yee, emails out all the higher ed related opportunities as she receives them. Students then can pursue those that interest them. Additionally, students are welcome to investigate sites on their own. With a very large number of higher education institutions and organizations in the greater Boston area, internship possibilities are plentiful. Students also have the option of pursuing an internship for academic credit through the Higher Education Internship Seminar.