Thank you for your interest in applying to the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Your application is the window through which we see your accomplishments, hear your ideas, and evaluate your potential. Please prepare carefully to submit your application by the appropriate deadline. Our application is completely online, with the exception of the portfolio (if required), which must be sent by regular mail. The ONLINE APPLICATION is available now.
Applicants are admitted for fall term only; there is no mid-year admission.
If you apply to more than one program, which you are welcome to do, you
will need to submit a separate application fee and form for each program.
Applicants receive decision letters at the beginning of April and must
respond by April 15. No deferrals of admission will be granted.
DEADLINES
Architecture (MArch) applicants: December 15, 2009, is the deadline for online submission of the application, $80 nonrefundable application fee, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, resume, essay, GRE scores, and TOEFL scores (if applicable). January 5, 2010, is the deadline by which portfolios for MArch applicants must be received in the Admissions Office.
Landscape Architecture (MLA), Urban Planning (MUP), Urban Design (MAUD/MLAUD), Master in Design Studies (MDesS), and Doctor of Design (DDes) applicants: January 15, 2010, is the deadline for online submission of the application, $80 nonrefundable application fee, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, resume, essay, GRE scores, and TOEFL scores (if applicable). The portfolio, if required, must be received in the Admissions Office by January 15, 2010, as well.
For information about our degree programs please see the respective program descriptions.
What You'll Need to Send Us
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 $80 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 should 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 applicants to the areas of Project Management and Real Estate in the degree program Master in Design Studies 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).
- 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.
If you are applying for Financial Aid, instructions are included in the online application.
Reapplication within Two Years
This procedure is applicable to a former applicant or a former student wishing to reapply for admission to the GSD within two years of the original application. The applicant must submit the following:
- New application form
- New application fee at current rate
- New portfolio
- Transcript(s) of any additional academic preparation since the last application was filed. Transcripts sent to the GSD with the original application do not have to be resubmitted.
- One new letter of recommendation pertaining to the work or study done since the last application was filed.
- GRE scores, if not previously submitted.
- Any other supporting documentation as required for the applicable academic year and degree program as described in the program description and shown on the current application form.
Reapplication after Two Years
If an applicant wishes to reapply for admission after two years, it is necessary that he or she resubmit all forms and documentation as specified for an initial application.
Reapplication for Financial Aid
A new application for financial aid is required for each academic year. This policy holds true regardless of the time elapsed since the previous application.
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.