Harvard University

Harvard University and General Information

Founded in 1636, Harvard University is America's oldest institution of higher education. Harvard has many notable alumni, including U.S. President Barack Obama, author Ralph Waldo Emerson and musician Rivers Cuomo.

Harvard University is the wealthiest school in the world, and had an endowment worth roughly $26 billion in 2009. The school offers comprehensive financial aid packages guaranteeing that students with families earning less than $60,000 will not need to contribute to the cost of tuition. Harvard University has accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Admissions and Enrollment Information

Harvard University is one of the nation's most selective colleges with a nearly 7% admission rate. Students must complete applications and pay processing fees. Applications may be mailed to the Harvard admissions office or submitted online. Students must send ACT or SAT scores along with their applications. Graduate admission requirements will vary from department to department.

Harvard University Academic Departments

Harvard Business School

Harvard Business School, founded in 1908, was the first school in the country to offer the Master of Business Administration degree. Students in this college can only earn master's, doctoral and professional degrees. Courses of study include accounting, marketing and health policy management.

Harvard College

One of two colleges at Harvard University awarding degrees to undergraduate students, Harvard College offers majors in history, economics and anthropology. Popular majors include economics, biochemistry and biology. Notable alumni include poet E.E. Cummings, actor Tommy Lee Jones and architect Buckminster Fuller.

School of Dental Medicine

One of Harvard's smallest colleges, the School of Dental Medicine serves less than 300 students. Founded in 1867, it was one of the first schools to award a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. The School of Dental Medicine offers master's and doctoral degrees in oral biology and similar fields.

Graduate School of Design

Offering graduate-level degrees, the School of Design offers courses in architecture, landscape architecture and urban planning. The school served more than 600 students and had an endowment worth $426 million in 2009. The school has Master in Design Studies programs in real estate, sustainable design and urbanization and design.

Harvard Divinity School

Harvard Divinity School is a non-denominational college dedicated to studying religion and training students for religious ministries. The school has master's degrees in theological studies and divinity. A doctoral degree in theology is also available.

Graduate School of Education

The Graduate School of Education has 13 master's degrees and six doctoral degrees. Available fields of study include language and literacy, higher education and educational leadership. The school serves roughly 980 students.

School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences was created in 1847 as the Lawrence Scientific School. Students in this college can earn either undergraduate or graduate degrees. Undergraduate majors include those in computer science, applied mathematics and engineering.

John F. Kennedy School of Government

Created in 1936, the school was renamed in 1966 after President John F. Kennedy. The John F. Kennedy School of Government offers master's degrees and doctorates in public administration, international development and policy. The school offers joint degree programs with the university's law and business schools.

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences offers master's degrees in over 50 subjects, such as forest science, philosophy and physics. Popular doctoral programs include physics, chemistry and economics. The school enrolls more than 3500 students in pursuit of doctoral degrees.

Harvard Law School

Harvard Law School, established in 1817, is the nation's oldest law school. Many Harvard graduates go on to distinguished careers, such as Chief Justice John Roberts and Sen. Carl Levin. The admissions process includes a phone interview.

Harvard Medical School

Harvard Medical School offers medical degrees in addition to master's and doctoral degrees. Serving more than 1300 students, the majority of students in Harvard Medical School are pursuing Doctor of Medicine degrees. According to U.S. News and World Report, www.usnews.com, Harvard Medical School is the country's top-ranked medical school.

School of Public Health

The School of Public Health, founded in 1922, was one of the nation's first public health schools. The school offers master's degrees in biostatistics, environmental health and nutrition. Doctoral programs are offered jointly with the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Contact Information

• Address: Harvard University Office of Admissions, PO Box 9129, Cambridge, MA 02238
• Phone Number: (617) 495-1000