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Summer 2023: Coronavirus Information

English is the language of instruction at Harvard Summer School. If your native language is not English, you must provide designated proof of English proficiency, unless you are an admitted degree candidate at Harvard College, Harvard Extension School, or at a Harvard graduate or professional school.

Secondary School and Pre-College Program Applicants

For instructions on meeting this requirement, see Secondary School Program Admissions and Pre-College Program Admissions. The information on this page applies only to adult or college students.

Adult or College Students Taking Courses In a Seven- or Three-Week Session

To meet the English proficiency requirement for registration, you must provide one of the following satisfactory transcripts or test scores by the English proficiency deadline:

Submitting a Satisfactory Transcript:

Submit an official transcript, or a copy of an official transcript, showing completion of a high school diploma, an undergraduate degree (bachelor’s), or a graduate degree (master’s or PhD) at a school, college, or university located in the United States, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or Singapore at which English is the sole language of instruction.

Transcript requirements:

  • Transcripts must indicate completion of high school, a three- or four-year bachelor’s degree, or a graduate degree (master’s or PhD). Degrees in progress will not be considered.
  • Transcripts must show at least one year of study and graduation from a campus located in one of these seven countries mentioned above.
  • Transcripts from Singaporean secondary schools must indicate completion of the Singapore Integrated Programme (SIPCAL) with A-Level exams.  IB Diplomas will not be considered. 
  • Transcripts from schools whose language of instruction is English but are not physically located in one of the seven approved countries are ineligible.

We do not accept diplomas alone as proof of English proficiency. Students who do not have a satisfactory transcript must meet the English proficiency requirement with a satisfactory test score instead.

Submitting a Qualifying Test Score:

Provide the minimum approved score on one of the following English proficiency tests. Take the test well before registration begins to ensure that your score is received by the English proficiency deadline.

Scores must be no more than two years old and must be verifiable, except for the Duolingo English Test, which must be no more than 1 year old. 

Test Minimum Approved Score
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) 100 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT)
International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Academic 7.0
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTEA) 70
Duolingo English Test (DET) 125

*Please note we do not accept the Institutional TOEFL (also known as the TOEFL ITP), MyBest TOEFL scores, IELTS General Training scores, or the IELTS Indicator test as proof of English proficiency. 

Students who do not currently have a satisfactory transcript or a valid, qualifying test score must take one of the aforementioned tests and submit a qualifying test score in order to register for Harvard Extension School courses or to take the Test of Critical Reading and Writing Skills (CRWS). 

Submission of Documents

Submission of Transcripts 

  • Upload copies of your transcripts in MyDCE using the “Document Uploader” icon located under your name at the top of your student portal. 
  • When uploading multiple transcripts, please combine PDFs and submit them together rather than submitting multiple PDFs. 
  • Have your school send your official transcript to proficiency@summer.harvard.edu 

Please note, transcripts should be submitted electronically. If you are unable to have your transcript submitted electronically using one of the two methods described above, please contact proficiency@summer.harvard.edu 

Submission of Test Scores 

  • Have your official score sent electronically to the Harvard Extension School Office of Enrollment Management. For the TOEFL, use institution code: 8578. The other tests do not require a specific code. 
  • You may also upload a PDF copy of your score report in MyDCE using the “Document Uploader” icon located under your name at the top of your student portal.  

Steps to Navigating the “Document Uploader” 

By clicking the “Document Uploader” icon in MyDCE you will be redirect you to the “Document Upload Form” where you will submit any English proficiency documents for review. 

On the “Document Upload Form,” select the appropriate type of document (I.e. “English Proficiency Transcript” or “English Proficiency Test Score”) you’re uploading from the drop down under the “Uploadable Documents” heading.  

Next, click the paperclip icon labeled “Attachment” at the bottom of your screen and select “Upload Files” to navigate to where the PDF file is located on your device. 

Finally, you must click the Submit button at the bottom of the screen to fully submit the document for review. You will now see your document appear under the “Previously Submitted Documents” list with the date. Additionally, you will receive an email confirmation verifying your submission. 

Reviewing Document Status 

To view the status of documents submitted via the Document Uploader, click on the “Document Uploader” icon under your name at the top of your MyDCE home page to be directed to the “Document Upload Form.” There you can see an up-to-date view of previously submitted documents. Please read any instructions left on your document carefully.  

Official Transcripts Sent From Your School 

To see if we’ve received your official transcript from your school, log in to MyDCE and head to “My Enrollment Requirements” from the 3 horizontal lines in the top left of your dashboard next to the Harvard shield.  From the English Proficiency section, click on “English Proficiency Info and Status” to take you to our retiring student platform, Online Services.  From Online Services’ main menu, click on “English Proficiency Info and Status” and scroll down to the section titled “Your English Proficiency Status” for status updates. 

Test Scores (TOEFL, IELTS, and Pearson) 

To see if we have received your score, log in to MyDCE and head to “My Enrollment Requirements” from the 3 horizontal lines in the top left of your dashboard next to the Harvard shield.  From the English Proficiency section, click on “English Proficiency Info and Status” to take you to our retiring student platform, Online Services.  From Online Services’ main menu, mouse over “Placement Tests” and click on “View Placement Test Scores.” 

If your score has been received and posted by the Office of Enrollment Management, you will see an option for “English Proficiency Tests” after selecting “View Placement Test Scores.” Note that if you sent your score to another office it may not appear here. 

To see if we have processed your Duolingo score, please check the Document Uploader instead. 

Registration and Deadlines

You must meet the English proficiency requirement prior to registering for course(s). Therefore, we encourage you to submit documents before to the start of registration.

You must also meet the English proficiency requirement before attempting the Test of Critical Reading and Writing Skills (CRWS) if you plan to register for a course with this prerequisite.

International students seeking an I-20 for their visa application: All materials for your I-20 application including the English proficiency requirement and registration in courses must be processed by Friday, April 21. Because the English proficiency requirement must be met first before you can register for courses, you are strongly encouraged to submit your English Proficiency documentation well in advance of these deadlines (and preferably prior to Tuesday, March 1 when course registration opens) to ensure your ability to register in your desired courses. Please allow 5 business days for submitted documents to be reviewed.

All other students: All transcripts and scores must be submitted by Thursday, June 8. Please allow time for submitted documents to be reviewed after submitting. 

Accurate Representation

Honesty in all communications, including self-representation of native language is a requirement of student enrollment. Submission of fraudulent information is subject to review by the Administrative Board and may be grounds for disciplinary action. See Student Conduct for more information.

English Proficiency For Other Harvard Schools

Meeting the Summer School English proficiency requirement does not meet the requirement for other Harvard schools or programs, with the exception of Harvard Extension School.

Considering An Extension School Degree Program?

Meeting the English proficiency requirement does not guarantee admission eligibility. Refer to Degree Program Admissions for more information. 

Questions?

Please contact Enrollment Services at (617) 495-4024 or email proficiency@summer.harvard.edu.