Exchange Scholar

GSAS participates in the Exchange Scholar Program, a program that allows our graduate students to study and work with faculty at one of ten other graduate schools for a term or an entire academic year.

These ten schools include: University of California at Berkeley, Brown University, University of Chicago, Columbia University, Cornell University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, Stanford University, and Yale University. Students' participation in this program, including courses taken and/or research conducted, will be recorded on their Harvard transcripts. The tuition will be charged by Harvard and paid to Harvard. Harvard will continue to provide any previously granted tuition and stipend grants. The application is available online. Applications for the fall term or the entire academic year are due in the Dean's Office in early July. Applications for the spring term are due in early December.

To begin the process the student should discuss the possibility of being an Exchange Scholar with his or her advisor.
The student should contact the department at the host institution where the student would like to study. This contact will allow the student to inquire about the status of faculty members (availability and leave schedules) and which courses will be offered.
The application should be completed and then approved by the applicant's academic advisor, department chair, and dean at the home institution.
Please note: Harvard students must have a $0 balance on their termbill before the Associate Dean of Student Affairs will approve the Exchange Scholar application. Any students carrying a balance on their termbill will be notified of the amount, asked to send payment to the Student Billing Office, and their application will be held at the Dean's office until payment is made.
The application is then forwarded to the host institution for approval by the professors with whom work is to be done, the department chair, and the graduate dean.

Generally the Exchange Scholar Program allows the student to participate for a maximum of one year. If the student finds that additional time would benefit his or her graduate program, then the student needs to submit to Rise Shepsle, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, GSAS Dean's Office, Holyoke 350, a letter from the advisor at the home institution and at the host institution indicating that a continuation of the Exchange Scholar Program would enhance the student's academic progress. The student would then submit a new application for the following term or year.

Health Coverage

GSAS Exchange Scholars are charged health care fees, which will remain on their term bill unless these fees are waived. GSAS Exchange Scholars who are interested in waiving Harvard University Health Services and/or Harvard-sponsored Blue Cross Blue Shield should visit the Health Services Website at www.hushp.harvard.edu. Depending on the policy at the participating institution they are visiting, students may instead enroll in the health insurance program at the institution there.

Students from Other Institutions

Students participating in the Exchange Scholar Program from other institutions are billed the fee for the use of the Harvard University Health Services and the Harvard Blue Cross and Blue Shield health insurance fee. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield fee may be waived for those with comparable insurance elsewhere. The University Health Fee may not be waived for visiting Exchange Scholars. Harvard does not offer a summer term so that the spring term will end for visiting Exchange Scholars at Harvard's Commencement. Access to facilities will not be available during the summer. Students planning on visiting Harvard for a term or a year are reminded that the rental market in the Boston area is tight so that preparations to be an Exchange Scholar should be completed as soon as possible allowing for time to find accommodations.

Foreign students may be allowed to work on campus at the host institution for up to 20 hours per week, but approval must be granted by the Foreign Student Advisor at the home institution. All students can check with their host department to see if teaching possibilities are available.

For more information, please contact the Dean's Office at 617-495-1814 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .