For Admitted Students

Please review carefully all information and requirements noted in the online application acceptance letter and in the welcome email you received from Harvard Summer School. Please be sure to check your email messages for communications from SummerAbroad@Summer.Harvard.edu. Once you have reviewed all information, please accept or decline your spot in the program no later than March 12 by clicking the “Reply to Offer” button in your online application located below your offer of admission.

MyDCE is the student portal where you will complete key post-acceptance requirements. You can access MyDCE by clicking here and selecting the option to login with your HarvardKey or, if you do not have one, to create a MyDCE key. MyDCE will enable you to update your personal contact information, view your course enrollment status, pay your tuition, and view course grades. Be sure to update your contact information in MyDCE if these change prior to your program start date; you can do this by clicking on the icon in the upper-right corner of your account, selecting “My Profile,” clicking the “Contact Information” section, entering your updated information, and then clicking the “Save” button.

• Submit the Travel Waiver and Release Form by April 8.
• For the Kenya, Mexico, and Shanghai programs, submit the Elevated Risk Travel Waiver and Release Form by April 8.
  • Students attending the Kenya, Mexico, and Shanghai programs are also required to attend an Elevated Risk orientation (your program will provide details) and to submit a GSS travel safety questionnaire.

• Your Health Clearance must be received by April 8. See p.1 of the Health Clearance Packet for detailed directions.
• Review the International SOS country report for your program destination.
• Failure to submit the Health Clearance Packet will result in your removal from the program. As part of the health clearance process, students who do not receive health clearance will not be approved, may be dismissed from, or may be otherwise told to discontinue their Harvard travel plans.

Refer to the Accommodations page of the website for more information.

The Media Release Form is due on April 8.

The online orientation covers important health and safety measures, and can be accessed here. Plan 45 to 60 minutes to watch in one sitting or across multiple sessions. The online orientation must be completed by April 8. Follow along with the Student Travel Checklist.

• Note: This orientation requires login with a HarvardKey. Non-Harvard students will receive HarvardKey information in early April.

• Full payment is due on April 8.
• To submit a payment, log in to your MyDCE account and select “Financial Services” from the home page. On the homepage of the finance portal, click on the green “Make Payment” button. Follow the steps to complete your payment.  After you pay, you will be sent a confirmation email.
• If you are a Harvard College student who is receiving an award from MCS, note that your award will be automatically transferred to the Summer School.

• The Harvard Summer School Study Abroad Office will enter your upcoming travel in the MyTrips system by late April. After you receive confirmation of this via email, you are required to update your itinerary in the MyTrips system so that the University and International SOS can locate you and provide assistance in an emergency. To do this, you should create a “New Trip” in your account and enter your flight details, local phone number, and other relevant information.
• You are also required to update your registration throughout your trip if necessary (e.g., your local cell phone number, changed travel plans, any overnight travel, and changes to your contact information), so that Harvard can quickly locate and communicate with you in the event of an emergency.
• You are also encouraged to download the International SOS Assistance App. You can register your side trips and update your itineraries, read country and city guides, sign up for security alerts, check-in to temporarily update and share your location, and call for help from Harvard’s 24/7 emergency medical, mental health, and security hotline, or chat with a case manager from within the app.

• All students, regardless of citizenship, traveling outside the United States need a passport both to leave and to reenter the U.S. U.S. citizens who do not have a passport must obtain one through an application process. The U.S. Department of State provides detailed information about how to apply for or renew a passport. Students applying for a passport should start the process well in advance of their planned departure dates. Students should also keep in mind that obtaining a visa (see below) requires a passport, and should allow ample time to obtain all necessary documents and authorizations.
• If you have a passport, be sure to check the expiration date. For many countries, your passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the last day you plan to be in the country. If your passport expires before that date, it must be renewed.

• A visa is an endorsement on a passport indicating that the holder is allowed to enter, leave, or stay for a specified period of time in a country. You are responsible for learning the visa requirements of your destination based on your citizenship and for obtaining your own visa should one be required.  For many (but not all) countries, U.S. citizens do not require a visa for stays less than 90 days.
• Each country’s visa requirements are different and depend on your citizenship, reason for travel, length of stay, and number of entries required. Be sure that you understand your destinations’ requirements and apply early to avoid delays or disruptions in your travel.
• Visa application requirements vary by country as well as the purpose of the visit, so you should look carefully at the requirements for your planned destination. The U.S. Department of State maintains a list of countries with country-specific information, including entry/exit requirements.
• If you are required to show proof of enrollment, contact summerabroad@summer.harvard.edu for a letter. Visa appointments at local consulates are often limited, and it is essential that you solicit and gather all necessary documentation, including Summer School letters, as quickly as possible upon admission to your program.
• Review important visa considerations – and helpful links – on the Harvard Global Support Services (GSS) website.

Your Program Director will inform you of any program-specific requirements.

All students are responsible for knowing and adhering to Harvard Summer School regulations. You should also be familiar with Harvard Summer School general policies for study abroad programs.

Review the Harvard Summer School Student Handbook. While the resources and activities will vary at each locale, the rules and policies described in the sections “Academic Policies” and “Student Conduct” apply to participants in all Harvard Summer School programs.

This includes general information, as well as travel advice and country guides.

Travel advice includes:

Communications and Technology: 16 Useful Apps for Travel Abroad, Keeping Your Data Safe Abroad, Cell Phone Options Abroad

Culture: Navigating Your Identities Abroad, Race Ethnicity and Nationality Abroad, Practicing Religion and Spirituality Abroad, Gender Considerations Abroad, LGBTQ+ Travel Guidance & Resources, What to Wear Traveling in Conservative Countries

Finances: Money and Banking Options Abroad

Health: Food and Drink Safety While Abroad, Tips for Traveling With Medication

Logistics: Remote Road Travel, Security Advice For Attending Large Events

Safety and Security:  How to Pack A Go Bag, How To Prepare for Natural Disasters, Sexual Assault And Gender Violence Support, Common Scams to Avoid While Traveling, Civil Unrest: Travel Advice and Planning

Street Harassment Abroad: Advice and Resources

Harvard Summer School takes sexual and gender harassment extremely seriously. Learn about the Harvard University Title IX Office and Harvard Summer School’s policies on sexual and gender harassment.

Explore the resources listed on this webpage and travel advice available from Harvard Global Support Services  to help you stay safe and healthy while abroad.

While the program is in session, personal travel outside of the program country will not be allowed without the written permission of the Program Director.

Harvard College is separate from Harvard Summer School; therefore, you will need to register with our Accessibility Services Office (ASO) to receive academic accommodations.

Please contact your Program Director for course syllabi.

Only Harvard College undergraduates may take courses on a pass/fail basis, and only certain Study Abroad courses may be taken pass/fail. Requests for the pass/fail option must be submitted by the seventh calendar day of your course. The pass/fail request form should be submitted directly to Academic Services (AcademicServices@Extension.Harvard.edu). Students will receive confirmation once the form is received and processed. If you wish to request the pass/fail option, first consult the Harvard College Handbook for Students for information on the number of pass/fail courses that can be counted toward your degree. Once the request has been submitted and updates made to your course, you will not be able to revert to a letter grade option.

Yes; credit and grades will automatically transfer to Harvard College at the end of the summer.

International SOS provides 24/7 medical, mental health, and security support and evacuation services to Harvard Summer School Study Abroad students. During or after an incident abroad, you can contact International SOS by phone at +1-617-998-0000 or by starting a call or chat from within the Assistance App.

Please note that your automatic coverage under International SOS is not intended as a replacement for comprehensive health insurance. It is your responsibility to retain your own insurance policy, to understand its terms, and if necessary, to file for reimbursement according to your policy protocols for any medical care you receive while abroad.

Contact us at:

Harvard Summer School
Study Abroad Programs
51 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA 02138-3722 USA
SummerAbroad@Summer.Harvard.edu