RSEA Admissions Requirements

The application process and offer of admission into the Regional Studies East Asia A.M. program are handled by the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). All application materials are submitted directly to the Application Portal (https://gsas.harvard.edu/apply).

For admission into RSEA beginning in the Fall 2024, the Application Portal will open in September 2023. The RSEA admissions application deadline is December 1, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Harvard Griffin GSAS requires applicants to submit all materials online. Late submission of any materials are not considered, nor can the application deadline be extended for any reason.

A complete application consists of these required items:

1. Admissions Application

2. Statement of Purpose

3. Unofficial Transcripts (official transcripts will be required for admitted students who accept an offer of admission)

4. Official GRE General Test scores

5. Writing Sample

6. Three Letters of Recommendation (submitted online, no hard copies)

7. TOEFL or IELTS scores

The statement of purpose should introduce the applicant's academic background and goals while describing a detailed plan of study in Regional Studies–East Asia.

A writing sample is required and should not exceed 20 pages (5,000 words) plus references. The writing sample must be in English and may be an academic paper you have previously submitted to a class, or a part of your senior thesis. The writing sample should focus on your proposed area of research and provide insight into your academic ability.

The GRE (ETS code: 3451) is required for all applicants to RSEA. GRE scores are valid for five years (i.e. taken no earlier than January 5, 2019, for Fall 2024 admission). Note: All tests must be taken before the application deadline. GSAS is no longer accepting the at-home versions of the standardized tests.

Applicants who are non-native English speakers may fulfill the English Proficiency Requirement in three ways:

• Receiving an undergraduate bachelor's degree from an accredited school where English is the primary language of instruction.
• Earning a minimum score of 100 in the iBT TOEFL exam
• Earning a minimum score of 7.5 in the IELTS exam.

Students in RSEA work with many different faculty members, and applicants should indicate in their application three Harvard faculty members whose work is closely related to their academic interests. Applicants do not need to contact any member of the faculty.

We urge all applicants to carefully read the application and the relevent requirements. The application should only be submitted when the application is correct and complete. No changes or additional materials will be accepted once an application has been submitted.

Applicants should not send application materials to the RSEA Office nor to any faculty members.