RSEA Admissions Requirements
RSEA Admissions Requirements
The application process and offer of admission into the Regional Studies East Asia A.M. program is 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) and no materials sent by other means will be considered as part of the application. We do not have rolling admissions, and the deadline is firm.
For admission into RSEA beginning in the Fall 2026, the Application Portal will open in September 2025. The RSEA admissions application deadline is anticipated to be December 1, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Harvard Griffin GSAS requires applicants to submit all materials online. Late submission of any materials will not be 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. Personal Statement
4. Unofficial Transcripts (official transcripts will be required for admitted students who accept an offer of admission)
5. Official GRE General Test scores
6. Writing Sample
7. Three Letters of Recommendation (submitted online, no hard copies)
8. 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. The personal statement should not duplicate your statement of purpose, but expand on your personal experiences that have guided you to apply to RSEA. Additional information may be found here.
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, 2022, for Fall 2027 admission). Note: All tests must be taken before the application deadline. Please note that applications without official GRE test scores will not be considered.
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 for TOEFL exams taken before January 21, 2026.
- Earning a minimum score of 7.5 in the IELTS exam.
TOEFL/IELTS scores are valid for two years (i.e., taken no earlier than January 5, 2025, for Fall 2027 admission).
Students in RSEA work with many different faculty members. Applicants should indicate in their application three Harvard faculty members whose work is closely related to their academic interests. There is no need to contact any member of the faculty.
We urge all applicants to carefully read the application and the relevant 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. As a courtesy, letters of recommendation and official test scores will be accepted after the deadline.
Applicants should not send application materials to the RSEA Office, nor to any faculty members.