Frequently Asked Questions

What are the criteria for submitting an application?

You must submit a completed online application, three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, a personal statement, a resume/CV, official GRE or GMAT scores (required for the Management concentration; standardized tests are optional for all other concentrations), and transcripts from any schools attended. Additionally, applicants whose native language is not English and who do not hold the equivalent of a US Bachelor's degree from an institution at which English is the language of instruction must submit scores from the Internet based test (IBT) of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

When can I begin to work on the online application?

The application typically becomes available in mid-late September through the Harvard Griffin GSAS website and the application is due on December 1st at 5 p.m. EST. 

How does the Health Policy PhD program evaluate applications?

Every application is reviewed carefully to consider all aspects of a potential student. Broadly, we are looking for evidence of commitment to training in the field of health policy research, a foundation of analytic and communication skills that will position our students to benefit from coursework, mentoring, and the support of the broader health policy community at Harvard, and the potential to pursue PhD level research. Evidence of maturity, perseverance, and creativity are also highly valued because successful students often show evidence of these as they navigate the PhD process from admission through completion. Because there are many different successful paths through the PhD, we look for student strengths in all available application materials: transcripts, work experience, letters, personal statements, and when available, test scores. Rarely will an applicant “have it all,” and every applicant acquires and demonstrates strengths differently. While one student may demonstrate potential based on an academic transcript, another may demonstrate it through work experience, and a third may convey strengths on the basis of successfully managing substantial personal or family responsibilities alongside work or academic demands.

What are the instructions for writing the Statement of Purpose?

Describe your reasons and motivations for pursuing a PhD in Health Policy at Harvard. What experiences led you to your research ambitions? Concisely state your past work in your intended field of study and in related fields. Briefly indicate your career objectives. Your statement should not exceed 1,000 words.

What are the instructions for writing the Personal Statement?

A core part of the Harvard Griffin GSAS mission is to identify and attract the most promising students to form a dynamic and diverse community. We are committed to educating individuals who reflect the growing diversity of perspectives and life experiences represented in society today and who will contribute to our commitment to sustain a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment. Please share how your experiences or activities will advance our mission and commitment. Your statement should be no longer than 500 words.

How do my recommenders submit their letters of recommendation?

Your recommenders must submit their letters through the recommender portal by the application deadline: Harvard Griffin GSAS does not accept letters submitted via email, mail, or a dossier service.

What should I tell my letter writers to focus on?

In addition to describing their general assessment of you as a student and/or researcher, it would be helpful for your letter writers to comment on your quantitative skills and aptitude as well as your experience as it relates to the track which you are applying.

What is the size of the applicant pool? How many students will you accept?

In a typical year, we receive about 250-300 applications.  We usually admit 12 applicants.  

Can I reapply to the program?

Previous applicants to the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and applicants who did not register must submit a new application. The new application must include all required documents: statement of purpose, resume/CV, transcripts, test score reports, updated letters of recommendation, and the application fee. 

Note that, according to Harvard Griffin GSAS policy, an individual may submit no more than three applications to GSAS programs during the course of their academic career.   

Is there a visiting day or open house for prospective students?

No, we do not have a formal visiting day or open house for prospective students. 

Do I need a commitment from a Harvard faculty member to advise me before I apply to the program? Should I meet with faculty prior to submitting my application?

No. Faculty advisors are determined after admission to the program. Furthermore, we do not admit students specifically to collaborate on faculty research; collaborations between faculty and students develop during the first two years of study based on mutual areas of interest. Given the breadth of information provided online about the program, faculty, students, and alumni - and in an effort to create a level playing field for applicants - most faculty will not take individual meetings with prospective students.  Some, however, will provide insight about the program via websites or social media.  See, for example, Dr. Laura Hatfield's page (last updated a few years ago) and Dr. Davene Wright's page (recently updated).

Does the Health Policy PhD program require transcript evaluations for previous degrees completed in institutions outside of the United States?

No, you do not need a transcript evaluation.

How can I request a fee waiver?

Applicants can determine eligibility for a fee waiver by completing a series of questions in the Application Fee section of the application. Once these questions have been answered, the application system will provide an immediate response regarding fee waiver eligibility.

I am applying for a joint MD/PhD in Health Policy degree at Harvard; do I apply to each program separately?

Those interested in earning an MD/PhD in Health Policy will only apply to HMS/MD-PhD via AMCAS, with all tailored Harvard Griffin GSAS application components included in the MD-PhD secondary application. Applicants do not need to apply to both programs.

I am applying for a joint JD/PhD in Health Policy degree at Harvard; do I apply to each program separately?

Yes, you should apply to each program separately but please note on the Harvard Griffin GSAS application that you also applied to the JD program. There is a box to select this in the application and/or you may include this in your statement of purpose. For further information on the JD/PhD program please visit: https://hls.harvard.edu/academics/degree-programs/special-programs/coordinated-jd-phd-program/ 

Do I need to have published a peer-reviewed research article to be accepted into the program?

No, peer reviewed publications are not required.

Do I need a master’s degree in order to apply to the program?

No, we do not require applicants to have a master’s degree.

I am an international student, am I eligible to apply to the program?

Yes, international students are eligible to apply to the program. 

Are the GRE/GMAT scores required?

All applicants to the Management concentration of the PhD program, regardless of their academic or professional background, must submit official scores from the GRE General Exam or GMAT exam. The program prefers GRE scores, but will also accept GMAT scores. Standardized tests are optional for the Decision Sciences, Economics, Methods for Policy Research, and Political Analysis tracks.

Is there a minimum GRE or GMAT score to qualify for admission?

The program does not have a minimum score requirement. The program does not screen or rank applications based on the GRE. Every application will be read and considered as a package.

Do you accept at-home GRE test scores?

Yes, you may submit scores from the home or online version of the GRE General and GRE Subject tests.  See: https://gsas.harvard.edu/apply/applying-degree-programs/gre 

What school code should I use to send my official GRE/TOEFL scores to the program?

For the GRE and TOEFL, please use the code 3451 for the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

How do I send my IELTS scores?

You can send IELTS scores to Harvard Griffin GSAS via the IELTS Test Center E-Delivery service. (See https://gsas.harvard.edu/apply/applying-degree-programs/english-proficiency)

If the GRE is optional (with the exception of the Management track), how do I decide whether to take and submit the GRE?

For many applicants, the reviewers will be able to assess quantitative aptitude through prior coursework (such as calculus and statistics), and relevant health policy experience (including research projects or publications or other projects involving analytic/quantitative skills, as noted on the applicant’s resume/CV). However, we recognize that our applicants come from a wide variety of education systems, with varied emphases in their academic training. Thus, for some applicants, the GRE can be helpful for reviewers to assess quantitative preparation. 

We suggest that the following applicants submit the GRE: 

• Applicants who did not take any quantitative coursework at the undergraduate or graduate level and whose professional experience does not clearly demonstrate their quantitative skills.
• Applicants who have taken a quantitative course at the undergraduate or graduate level and received a grade lower than “B” (or international equivalent) and whose professional experience does not clearly demonstrate their quantitative skills.
• Applicants who believe that their application does not demonstrate quantitative proficiency. 

Some students tell us the GRE helped them demonstrate strength in an area where they felt they had less evidence of a skill or preparation for the PhD. If that sounds like you, we recommend you submit the GRE. Other applicants (and potential applicants) report that the GRE is a burden or a poor way to represent their unique skills and strengths. If that describes you, we suggest you focus your efforts on other pieces of the application that demonstrate your strengths. It will not “count against you” if you submit an application without the GRE. The health policy PhD program does not screen applications based on the GRE. It is one of many pieces of evidence we consider. It is possible to have a strong application even without having all possible “pieces.”

Am I required to submit a TOEFL/IELTS score with my application?

Applicants who are non-native English speakers and who received their undergraduate degree from an academic institution where English is not the primary language of instruction must take the TOEFL or IELTS.  No test other than the TOEFL or IELTS will be accepted as proof of English proficiency; a master's degree is not accepted as proof of English proficiency.

What are the backgrounds of students admitted to the program?

Student backgrounds vary but the typical student has a prior master’s degree and/or relevant work experience. To learn more about the backgrounds of our current students, please see the student profiles page on this website.  

What kinds of research do students in the program complete?

Dissertation abstracts of alumni are included in the alumni section of the website. If you are interested in, e.g., the Political Analysis (PA) concentration, go to the alumni section (https://healthpolicy.fas.harvard.edu/alumni) and filter by the PA concentration. You’ll get a list of PA alums, along with their current positions, abstracts of their dissertations, and dissertation committee membership.

The student profile section (https://healthpolicy.fas.harvard.edu/students) of the website also includes information about individual students’ research interests.

If I have completed similar coursework in health policy, am I permitted to waive program distribution requirements?

It is fairly common for students who enter our PhD program with relevant master’s degrees (public health, public policy, etc) to be able to waive a few program requirements. There is a petition process, which involves providing course syllabi.

Do you offer online courses/distance learning?

No, we do not.

May I complete the PhD on a part-time basis?

No. Our program requires all students to be full-time and in residence.

Are students required to be in residence for the entire duration of the program?

Students are required to be in residence until they pass their dissertation proposal oral exam, and it is preferred that they remain in residence until completion of the dissertation. The dissertation proposal oral exam is taken in the third or fourth year.

How long does it take to complete the PhD Program in Health Policy?

On average, it takes students about five to six years to complete the PhD.

Do you offer financial aid to admitted students?

Yes, we provide five years of tuition and health insurance to admitted students, along with three years of a stipend to cover living expenses. In the years when a stipend is not provided, students cover living expenses by working as a research assistant, teaching assistant, and/or winning their own fellowships.

What types of jobs do your students obtain after completing the PhD?

Graduates of the PhD Program in Health Policy work in a variety of fields. Approximately 60-65% hold positions in academia. Others are employed in government (state and federal), non-profits, think-tanks, and the private sector. See the alumni section of this website for a complete list of graduates along with their current positions. Note that you can filter by concentration if you are particularly interested in learning about the positions held by alumni of a specific concentration.