Welcome! Below is an outline of steps you should take and things you should know for a smooth transition to the Harvard Chan School.
Save the Date(s):
This section will be updated as we confirm dates and virtual events.
Events for admitted students: TBA
Orientations: Please click here for more information.
Submit Your Admissions Reply Form
Regardless of your decision, please submit the reply form found in your my.harvard Portal. You will need navigate to the “Harvard Chan” tab and click “next” on your letter in order to see your reply form. Deposits may be paid by credit card, check, or wire transfer. (Note: Invoices will not be issued for admissions deposits.)
How do I respond to my offer of admission?
How do I pay my tuition deposit?
View our Deposit Payment Guide
By when do I need to respond to the admission offer?
Deadlines:
June (MPH in Epidemiology) and July starting programs: March 15
MPH 45-credit Quantitative Methods Summer Start: April 15
All Fall starting programs: April 15
Have a financial hardship? Click here for more information.
Harvard ID, Harvard Key, and Email
You have already received your Harvard University ID (HUID) and claimed your HarvardKey in order to log into the my.harvard Portal. The Helpdesk will email you to set up your Harvard email roughly a month prior to your start date. In the meantime, you will receive communication to your personal email address. Your Harvard email will be your primary means of receiving School and University communications once you have set it up.
Submit your photo for your Harvard University ID card (HUID). Information regarding this process will be emailed to you, and you will be able to pick up your HUID during Orientation Check-In.
Check Your Contingencies and Holds
Become Familiar with Your Program
Obtain a Visa
All full-time international students will require a student visa (I-20 or DS2019 for Canadian students). MPH-EPI students will also require a visa for the on-campus session in June. Instructions to request a visa can be found on the visa page of this website.
The deadline for submitting all documents to the Admissions Office is as follows:
June start: April 1
July start: May 1
Fall start: June 1
Learn About Health Insurance Requirements
Find more information about your coverage through HUHS. Please note that MPH-EPI (online/on-campus) and Summer-only students are not eligible for health insurance coverage through Harvard.
Financial Aid
Understand the cost of your program and the cost of living in Boston with the Office of Financial Aid’s (OFA) Student Budget. Review your financial aid and reach out to OFA with any questions. If you’ve received your admissions decision and are having difficulty finding your financial aid letter, we encourage you to watch our instructional video for guidance on the process.
Please be aware that living expense refunds cannot be processed until the first day of classes, so plan accordingly. Next steps will be emailed to students who are borrowing loans closer to the start of their program. If you are receiving any outside scholarships, please email OFA with that information! You can view more information and learn about third-party contracts by visiting this webpage.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition & Fees and billing policies can be found on the Student Billing website. Your student bill will be posted in the my.harvard Portal under Student Accounts.
Find a Place to Live
For helpful information about housing resources in the Boston area, visit the housing website. If you are interested in Shattuck International House, please click here for floor plans and photos.
If you are funding living expenses through loans, expect to live with roommates in the private market. The student budget determines loan eligibility and the estimated rent is based on a shared two-bedroom apartment.
Harvard University Housing (click here for important information and here for application information)
March 1: application opens
May 1: deadline to apply for lottery
Shattuck House (click here for information)
Determine Your Commute to Campus
Depending on where you live there are a few ways to get to campus:
Please note that there is no parking for students available on campus.
In addition, there are a limited number of lockers available to students for the duration of their studies at Harvard Chan. Sign up to reserve a locker on campus.
Request Disability Accommodations
The School is committed to providing appropriate services on a case-by-case basis to students with documented learning, physical, and other disabilities who are enrolled in full or part-time degree-granting or special programs. To request accommodations, visit the Disability Services website and complete the online request form.
Know Your Enrollment Information
Course enrollment dates and deadlines are available on our Master Calendar. You may also be interested in the Summary & Planning Calendars on the Registrar’s Office website. Please make sure to log into the my.harvard Portal prior to the opening of enrollment to clear any holds you may have. Information on how to enroll is available through the Registrar’s Office Student Knowledge Center. Further information on enrollment will be emailed to you from the Registrar’s Office.
Get Acquainted with IT
All the information you need regarding Information Technology (IT) is available on the IT website. VDI is an essential service that we recommend you become familiar with before arriving on campus:
- Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Instructional computing facility (ICF) software is available for student use in all computer labs, as well as on the virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). VDI allows students to access a virtual computer lab from any internet connected computer. Below are links for more information about VDI:
Customize Your Canvas Experience
Canvas is the learning management system at the School. It is where you access all of your course websites. You can go to Canvas directly by visiting http://canvas.harvard.edu and logging in with your Harvard Key; or you can access your courses through my.harvard.edu. You can also set up the Canvas app on your smartphone or tablet. Update your Canvas settings before starting class following the Canvas for Student Guide.
Get Your Books and Laptops
The Harvard Coop provides textbook information to students, and information is available via the my.Harvard Course Search. Individual course pages in the my.harvard Course Search contain links to updated textbook information on the Coop’s website. Some courses will have a “course materials” charge for the materials your professor provides you. You can view an estimate of this cost for individual courses in the course catalog. Please visit the Student Budget website where you will find the course material fees including “Books and Supplies.” All required books and materials are available for use at the Countway Library.
Review the School’s laptop requirement for all students.
Register for Math Refresher (optional)
Math Refresher is an online course that is designed to help refresh your memory about math skills. The course is asynchronous and can be completed on your own schedule, with optional practice problem sets and scheduled office hours sessions with the instructors. The course is offered as part of Fall Orientation programs and open to all incoming students. Incoming students will receive an email with information about registering for Math Refresher late July (new Fall students).
Connect with Harvard Chan on Social Media
Stay up-to-date on what’s happening at Harvard Chan by liking us on Facebook and Instagram.
