What You'll Need to Send Us
Submitting through the online system is required. Applicants may not send application materials to the GSD through the mail. Given the nature of the review process, any application materials received by mail will not be considered.
Below is a summary of the documents and materials that you will need to prepare and submit for the application process. For complete instructions and information, however, please read the Instructions for Applying for Admission.
All applicants to degree programs must submit the following:
- Online Application Form.
- Application Fee of $85 (non-refundable) for each application submitted.
- Transcripts from all colleges and universities from which you have received credit (please note that transcripts should be scanned into the online application; it is not necessary to send official transcripts at the time of application).
- Letters of Recommendation (three), which must be submitted electronically through the online application (instructions on how to do this are included in the application, as well as in the FAQs section).
- Resume and Essay.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores, required of all applicants, though students applying to the Real Estate concentration in the Master in Design Studies program may submit the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) in lieu of the GRE. When requesting that GRE or GMAT scores be sent to Harvard University, applicants should use the institution code for the Graduate School of Design (3455); a department code is not needed.
- For International Students: Evidence of English Proficiency (TOEFL scores). Reporting codes for TOEFL scores are the same as those for the GRE.
- Portfolio. Applicants to degree programs other than the Master in Urban Planning program must submit a portfolio that includes their most important and representative design work. Master in Urban Planning applicants do not need to submit a portfolio. The portfolio for Master in Design Studies and Doctor of Design applicants should consist of scholarly, academic and/or professional work and may or may not include visual material, at the discretion of the applicant, and as related to the proposed research area. Special students may also be required to submit portfolios. All portfolios must be submitted online via http://hgsd.slideroom.com. Submission instructions can be found in the Instructions for Applying for Admission. Hardcopy portfolios will not be accepted.
If you are applying for financial aid, please review the instructions for Applying for Financial Assistance; these directions can also be found in the online application. Further details can be found on the Financial Aid website.
Three-Application Maximum
An applicant may apply a maximum of three times to the same GSD degree program. Once the applicant has been denied admission for the third time, further applications to the same program will not be given consideration.
phd applicants
Prospective PhD students must apply through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
