# Incoming Students

**Source**: https://dso.college.harvard.edu/incoming-students
**Parent**: https://dso.college.harvard.edu

## Incoming Students

We're here to guide you as you transition from high school to college. We can't wait to welcome you to Harvard!

## Advice for New Students

Looking for advice about those first few weeks on campus? The Harvard College Office of Admissions & Financial Aid asked around and found five upper-level students to share their perspectives. These juniors and seniors offer valuable advice for anybody new to campus.

## Key Dates and Deadlines

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May 1 is the deadline to tell us you intend to enroll at Harvard. Once you've decided Harvard is for you, you'll need to complete several action items between May and August.

#### [View the timeline for incoming students](/timeline "Incoming Student Checklist")

## Class of 2030 Trending Questions

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### When is move-in? expand\_more

Please note that there are [three move-in dates based on confirmed pre-orientation programs](/pre-orientation#move-in). The latest information will be shared on our . Please do not reserve non-refundable plane tickets until you have been confirmed your specific move-in date in mid-June.

Learn about [what to bring to campus](/what-bring).

### How do I apply for a Pre-Orientation program? expand\_more

**Pre-Orientation applications for the Class of 2030 will be launched soon.** If you missed the message, you can find past messages on our [Incoming Student Communications page](/new-student-communications). If you have additional questions about Pre-Orientation, please contact the DSO Student Engagement team at [studentengagement@fas.harvard.edu](mailto:studentengagement@fas.harvard.edu).

### When is Family Weekend? expand\_more

We are excited to welcome families of first-year and junior students to Cambridge, MA for [Family Weekend](https://families.college.harvard.edu/family-weekend). This year, Family Weekend will take place from October 22-October 25, 2026!  You can learn more about the event on the [Parent and Family Programs website](https://families.college.harvard.edu/family-weekend).

### Harvard Yard Dorms

First-year students live in residential neighborhoods called Yards, which are located at the geographic and historic center of College life. Accommodations range from eighteenth-century buildings, which housed the earliest Harvard students as well as George Washington's troops, to our newest twentieth-century accommodations in Canaday Hall.

## Transitioning to Harvard

### The First-Year Experience (FYE)

Throughout your first year at Harvard, you'll be supported by a dedicated team offering guidance, programming, and resources to help you transition from high school to college

### Pre-Orientation

Apply to one of six unique experiences catered to your interests! During Pre-Orientation you’ll build strong relationships with your classmates, learn more about student life at Harvard, connect with upper-level students, and most importantly, have fun!

[Pre-Orientation Programs](/pre-orientation "Pre-Orientation")

### Orientation

Orientation is your official welcome to Harvard College. Orientation online modules and in-person events provide many opportunities to meet new friends and learn about student life.

[Learn about Orientation](/orientation "Incoming Student Orientation")

## Additional Support

### Gap Year Students

If you’re beginning at Harvard after a gap year, you may have questions about how to confirm your spot in the class or how to re-acclimate to learning. Learn about the enrollment process for gap year students and resources to help you prepare for the fall.

[Gap year student resources](/gap-year-students "Gap Year Students")

### International Students

If you’re an international student, Harvard is ready to welcome you. For visa and immigration information and other documentation required to enroll at Harvard, the [New Student Welcome Guide](https://www.hio.harvard.edu/student-guide) is a great resource. Any other questions regarding your time at Harvard as an international student can be referred to the [Harvard International Office](https://www.hio.harvard.edu/).

[International student resources](https://www.hio.harvard.edu/)

### Military Affiliates

If you have a military background or future plans to serve the country, you'll find a welcoming community at Harvard. The College's [Program Manager for Military Student Services](/people/craig-rodgers "Craig Rodgers, Psy.D., J.D.") works with enrolled and admitted Harvard College students who are ROTC participants (cadets and midshipmen), veterans (of all nations), or have other military affiliations. If you are a high school student applying to Harvard College as a potential ROTC participant, contact the [Admissions Office](https://college.harvard.edu/admissions) and [ROTC at MIT](https://catalog.mit.edu/mit/undergraduate-education/career/rotc/) (MIT is the host school for Harvard ROTC students).

[Military student resources](/office-culture-community/about-harvard-foundation/supporting-student-growth/military-affiliates "Military Affiliates")

### Transfer Students

If you're transferring to Harvard as a sophomore or junior, welcome! You'll be contacted by , the Resident Dean of Currier House and Director of Transfer Student Advising. Over the summer, you will work closely with Dean Lobell to think about your Concentration and choose your fall term courses. Dean Lobell will also share resources to help you transition to your assigned upper-level House, take advantage of extracurriculars, and jump into student life.

[Transfer student resources](/transfer-students "Transfer Students")

## Academics

### Advising

You'll be supported during your first year by a pre-concentration advisor, proctor, peer advising fellow, and resident dean. You will connect with these individuals and select courses prior to arrival on campus. This advising network will help you choose courses, and consider opportunities for research, study abroad, public service, and internships.

[Learn about first-year advising](https://advising.college.harvard.edu/advising-network/first-years/#:~:text=Advising%20for%20First%2DYears,for%20your%20choice%20of%20concentration.)

### Concentrations

During your sophomore fall you'll declare a concentration, or field of study. You may choose from 50 concentrations and 49 secondary fields. You can explore concentrations at Orientation events and Exploring Fields of Study during the spring term of your first year.

[Explore concentrations](https://advising.college.harvard.edu/academic-planning-for-students/concentrations-and-secondaries/)

### Expository Writing

A course in expository writing is required of all students. After taking the writing placement exam, you'll learn of your recommended course placement, and whether you're assigned to take your "expos" course during the fall or spring term.

[Learn about expos](https://writingprogram.fas.harvard.edu/)

### Choosing Courses

Over the summer, you will complete an Orientation module that will provide information and resources to help you evaluate different fields of concentration and discover topics that ignite your curiosity. You may start exploring courses on my.harvard at any time, and your pre-concentration advisor will help you consider what courses to take before course registration officially opens in August.

[Explore courses](https://courses.my.harvard.edu/)

### Degree Requirements

Students typically take four courses per term and are required to complete 32 courses (or 128 credits) to graduate. This breaks down to 12 courses within the core curriculum, 10-14 courses in a concentration, and the balance as electives.

[See curriculum overview](https://oue.fas.harvard.edu/college-curriculum)

### First-Year Seminars

More than 100 seminars in a diverse range of topics are offered exclusively for first-year students. Seminars, which are capped at 12 students and graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory, provide an ideal setting to work closely with a professor. They are also ideal for discovering areas of interest and exploring potential concentrations.

[Explore seminars](https://firstyearseminarprogram.college.harvard.edu/)

### Placement Exams

Exams are offered during the summer before you arrive on campus. You are required to take math and writing exams. Optional exams are offered in biology, chemistry, and foreign languages. Exam results help determine your course level.

[Learn about placement exams](https://placement.college.harvard.edu/)

### Parents and Family Members

We hope to connect with those who have helped you arrive at the Harvard gates. Parents and family members may receive , as well as programming and support from the [Parent and Family Engagement Office](https://families.college.harvard.edu/).