Special Students: International FAQ

Do Special Student applicants need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)?

If your native language is not English, you must meet one of the following English proficiency requirements:

TOEFL
This test is administered by the Educational Testing Service, Box 899, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. Only official scores sent directly to the Special Student/Visiting Fellow Office from the test administrators will be accepted. The special student program code number is 3478. When you take the TOEFL, be certain to use this code so your scores will be sent directly to the Special Student/Visiting Fellow Office.
Full-time enrollment at a university or in a program for at least one year in which English is the language of instruction.

How many courses are international Special Students required to take each term?

International Special Students are required to maintain full-time student status or four half-courses per term.

Does Harvard sponsor my visa?

Individuals who are not United States citizens, who intend to enroll in the GSAS as either a Special Student or Visiting Fellow, ordinarily conduct their studies on a Harvard-sponsored student (F-1) visa. A Harvard-sponsored Exchange Scholar (J-1) visa will be issued upon request and based on certain formal exchange agreements that require it. Visa arrangements cannot be made until the applicant has been admitted and the necessary financial certification has been provided to the Special Students Visiting Fellows Office by the student.

Additional information about visa regulations can be obtained from the Harvard International Office.

How do admitted Special Students provide financial certification for a Harvard-sponsored visa?

To certify grants from outside Harvard, the Special Students and Visiting Fellows Office must receive an official letter, in English, from the funding institution, stating the exact amount of the award in US dollars, the date of the award, and any restrictions on the use of the money.

To certify personal funds, you must submit a letter or statement from your bank certifying the amount of funds in your account. (The account does not need to be at an American bank.) The amount of funds must be clearly stated and sufficient to finance your entire stay in The United States including tuition, fees and living expenses for the semester or academic year. The bank letter must be an original letter translated to English and the currency must be converted to US dollars.

Additional information regarding financial certification will be provided to international Special Students upon acceptance to study at GSAS.

Does GSAS offer a host student program?

Yes. Hosts students are continuing GSAS students who provide friendship to incoming international GSAS students as they make the transition to life in the United States and to graduate studies in GSAS. Host students are available to answer general questions and to share their Harvard experiences. While not intended to be a counselor or academic advisor, a host student is someone to whom a new international student can turn for support and informal advice. Several Host Student events are planned at the beginning of each academic year. To learn more, visit the Host Student Program website.

Is there an International Student Orientation at the beginning of each academic year?

Yes. As part of an array of events for incoming Special Students, all international students (including Special Students and Visiting Fellows) are invited to attend International Student Orientation where they will learn about life at Harvard GSAS. Visit the website to learn what was on a previous year’s agenda.

Where can I learn more about being an International Student at Harvard?

Please visit the Harvard International Office’s website to learn more.

What is the best way to contact the Special Students and Visiting Fellows Office?

The office is open from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. The best time to contact the Special Students and Visiting Fellows Office is between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm.

Special Students and Visiting Fellows Office
Holyoke Center, 3rd Floor
1350 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 617-495-5392
Fax: 617-496-5333
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.