Application Requirements

Interested in applying to one of our fully funded PhD Programs? Before you begin, learn more about our application requirements. Please note that applicants are only required to possess a bachelors degree. Undergraduate applicants in their senior year are welcome to apply.

Required Application Materials

• Completed online application form submitted via GSAS application portal

• Resume or CV

• Statement of Purpose

• Transcripts for all college/university degrees and courses. Self-reported transcripts are accepted for both all programs at the application stage. Applicants must upload copies of his/her transcripts to the online application system. Hard copy transcripts will only be required if admitted to a program, prior to enrollment.

• Current GRE or GMAT scores (see details below)

• TOEFL or IELTS scores (non-native English speakers see details below)

• Three letters of recommendation (at least one from an academic source). Recommendation letters must be submitted online through the online application system. Hard copy recommendation letters will not be accepted.

• $105 application fee via credit card

• Optional writing sample (no more than 10 pages)

GRE & GMAT

All applicants are required to take either the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (including the at home test) or the Graduate Management Admissions Test. Test scores are valid for five years. You may submit scores from tests taken no earlier than January 5, 2022 for Fall 2027 admission. There is no minimum test score requirement, and admissions committee does not have a preference in tests.

Institution Codes for PhD Programs

• GRE: 3451

• GMAT: Harvard Business School, Doctoral Programs

A department code is not required for score submission.

International Applications

Adequate command of spoken and written English is required for admission. Applicants whose native language is other than English and who do not hold a Bachelor degree or its equivalent from an institution at which English is the language of instruction must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Submitted scores are valid for no longer than two years. If you are applying for admission for Fall 2027, we will accept at-home versions of the TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic. You may submit scores from tests taken no earlier than January 5, 2025 for Fall 2027 admission. The committee prefers scores of at least 100 on the TOEFL internet-based test and at least 7.5 on the IELTS test. Applicants are strongly encouraged to choose the TOEFL internet-based test when possible.

Institution Codes for TOEFL score reports

• PhD programs: 3451

Instructions for submitting IELTS score reports

Designate Harvard University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences as a recipient of your test results. Our address, for the record only, to identify us in the IELTS system, is 1350 Massachusetts Ave. Smith Campus Center 350, Cambridge, MA 02138. Paper test report forms will not be accepted at this address.

Reapplicants

Applicants who applied previously are considered reapplicants. Those reapplying must submit a completely new application. The new application must include all required documents to be provided by the applicant - we will not re-use material previously submitted. These materials include an updated statement of purpose, transcripts, letters of recommendation resubmitted by the recommender, the application fee, and any other supporting materials. It may be helpful to submit one letter from a new recommender.

Please note, Harvard University will accept no more than three applications from any one individual over the course of their lifetime.