Preparation and Arrival Guide

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Opening Weekend

  • Find all you need to know about preparing for your arrival at Harvard Summer School, getting to campus, and attending Opening Weekend June 22 and 23. Choose a tab above to get started.

  • Get prepared: a checklist

    • Register and pay your balance by May 20.
      • You can still register May 21 to June 27, but there is a $200 late registration fee. You must attend classes beginning June 24.
    • Check your name, date of birth, and contact information.
      • Your name and date of birth in online services must match exactly what is printed on your government-issued photo ID, which you must present during Opening Weekend to receive your Harvard ID card.
      • Correct any name and date of birth errors by submitting a biographical information changes form.
      • The Summer School communicates with students via e-mail. Update your e-mail address and other contact information in online services. If you are not receiving e-mail from us be sure to check your spam and junk folders.
    • Is English not your native language?
    • International students: meet I-20 certificate requirements.
      • We are no longer accepting requests for I-20 certificates. If you are interested in part-time study, see Visas and I-20 Guidelines.
    • Review placement test requirements.
    • Planning to live on campus?
      • On-campus housing is now closed. We can no longer accept housing requests.
      • If you have met all housing requirements. You will receive an e-mail notification after June 11, with instructions on how to check your housing assignment in online services.
      • Wondering what you should bring with you? See Your Room for a list of what’s provided and what you can rent on campus or purchase in Harvard Square.
    • Meet the immunization requirement.
    • Purchase or waive Summer School health insurance coverage.
      • You are required to have US-based health insurance that covers major illnesses and accidents in the United States.
      • If you do not have health insurance that covers major illnesses and accidents in the United States, you will be automatically enrolled in the Summer School insurance plan and charged the $200 premium.
      • If you do have health insurance that covers major illnesses and accidents in the United States, log into online services by June 27 to waive the Summer School insurance plan and reverse the $200 premium.
    • Institute for English Language (IEL) students
      • You must register before Opening Weekend (June 22-23), arrive on June 22, and take the placement test at 11 am Sunday, June 23. See Late Registration for instructions.
      • Sign up to take the June 13 placement test, then register with a $200 late registration fee before classes begin on June 24.
    • Learn your Harvard ID number and request your PIN.
    • Provide a photo for your Harvard ID card.
      • Upload a photo using your Harvard ID number and PIN no later than May 24. Visit ID Card Photos for instructions.
      • Or have your photo taken at 51 Brattle Street during business hours until June 19. Bring a government-issued photo ID.
      • Do not mail or e-mail your photo. You must use one of the above methods.
    • Set up your Harvard e-mail account.
    • Learn about accommodations for a disability.
    • Prepare for your classes.
    • Bring your H-ticket and government-issued photo ID to Opening Weekend.
      • Print your H-ticket (your customized check-in ticket) via online services. The H-ticket is available starting the week before Opening Weekend. You must have your H-ticket and a government-issued photo ID to check in.
    • Still have questions?

  • Opening Weekend schedule

    View Campus Map and Directions to find Opening Weekend locations.

    • Arriving before Opening Weekend?

      If you arrive before Opening Weekend or outside of the specified check-in times, you need to find your own accommodations. The Cambridge Office of Tourism website has hotel listings.

    • Saturday, June 22

      Hours are 9 am to 6 pm. Bring your H-ticket (available for printing a week before Opening Weekend) and a government-issued photo ID.

      • Move in to on-campus housing.
        • If you are living on campus, pick up your key and move into your room before checking in elsewhere.
        • SSP and SIEL students pick up keys at Harvard Hall.
        • All other students pick up keys at your House building manager’s office.
        • See Moving In and Out of Housing.
      • Pay any balance due before checking in.
        • Visit Student Financial Services at 51 Brattle Street, fourth floor, to pay any remaining balance due. You may also pay online with a credit card.
        • Your balance must be paid in full before you can check in at Gutman Conference Center and pick up your Harvard ID card.
      • Have an I-20 certificate from the Summer School? Check in with HIO advisors.
        • You must check in with an international student advisor before you can pick up your Harvard ID card. Bring your passport, I-20, I-94 card (if one is issued to you when you enter the United States), and H-ticket to Gutman Conference Center, 6 Appian Way.
      • Check in at Gutman Conference Center.
        • Bring your H-ticket and government-issued photo ID to Gutman Conference Center, 6 Appian Way.
        • Pick up your Harvard ID card or an ID card authorization form (if you did not provide your ID card photo in advance).
        • Pick up your Student Handbook.
        • See the disability services coordinator if you have requested accommodations for a disability or have questions about services.
      • Go to the immunization clinic if you still need to meet the immunization requirement.
        • If you are living in Summer School housing or attending the Summer School while on a visa of any kind, and you have not met the immunization requirement, go to the clinic at Harvard University Health Services.
        • Allow approximately two hours for the visit, and be prepared to pay in full for any immunizations you receive. Acceptable methods of payment include cash and credit cards.
      • Set up a Harvard e-mail account and connect to the Harvard network.
        • For help, visit the computer services table in Gutman Conference Center.
        • You can also visit the computer lab at 53 Church Street or the HUIT Walk-In Support Center in the Science Center basement.
      • IEL and SIEL students
        • IEL intensive program and SIEL students: pick up your required reading materials in Gutman Conference Center.
        • Take the English language placement test Sunday at 11 am in Science Center Hall B (unless you took the test on campus in the spring).
      • Visit the vendor tent.
        • Rent linens and dorm items, open a bank or Crimson Cash account, and learn about campus sustainability efforts, summer telephone services, and the Harvard COOP in the Science Center plaza.
        • You may also find what you need at shops in Harvard Square.
      • Try out for the Summer School chorus.
        • Auditions for the Summer School Chorus in Holden Chapel will be from 1 to 4 pm Saturday, 1 to 4 pm and 6 to 9 pm Sunday, and from 5 to 9 pm Monday. Visit the Activities Fair on Sunday for information about other music programs.

    • Sunday, June 23

      Move-in and check-in hours continue from noon to 4 pm. Complete any items remaining on your H-ticket and note the following additional activities

      • IEL and SIEL students: take the 11 am placement test.
        • You must take this test today, unless you took it on campus in the spring. Arrive by 10:30 am in Science Center Hall B and bring your government-issued photo ID.
      • Attend the Activities Fair.
        • Learn about extracurricular activities beyond the classroom from 11 am to 3 pm in the Science Center plaza.
      • Take a green tour.
        • You can take a green tour of Harvard. Learn why Harvard makes the Princeton Review’s Green Honor Roll. Meet in front of the John Harvard statue at 2 pm.
      • Visit the Campus Computer Store.
        • Buy computers, software, and more from noon to 4 pm at the Campus Computer Store in the Science Center basement.
      • Commuting Secondary School Program students: attend orientation.
        • The orientation is in Emerson Hall, room 105, from 3 to 4 pm.
      • Join us for ice cream!
        • Come on over for the Dean’s Ice Cream Social, 4 to 5:30 pm, in the Science Center plaza.
      • Attend your residential orientation.
        • Meet the residential staff at an orientation in your dormitory or House Sunday evening.
      • Get ready for class.
      • Still have questions?

    • Dining options

      • Meal service for students living on campus begins with Saturday dinner in Annenberg Dining Hall. Annenberg is open for meals on Saturday, 4:30 to 7:15 pm, and Sunday, 7:30 to 10 am, 11:15 am to 2:15 pm, and 4:30 to 7:15 pm.
      • For the full Annenberg summer schedule, see On-Campus Housing.
      • A variety of convenience stores, grocers, and restaurants are within walking distance of Harvard Square. See HarvardSquare.com.

    • Parking options

      • Parking is extremely limited in Harvard Square.
      • When moving in, 20-minute parking is permitted in Harvard Yard (SSP and SIEL students may drive in through the Johnston Gate entrance) and at Houses for loading and unloading only.
      • Free overnight parking is available during Opening Weekend at the 52 Oxford Street garage from 9 am on Saturday, June 22, to 7 am on Monday, June 24.

    • What if I arrive late because my flight is delayed?

      • College age and older students: If you are living on campus, your flight is delayed, and you arrive after 6 pm on Saturday or after 4 pm on Sunday, you must seek other accommodations. See the Cambridge Office of Tourism website for hotel listings.
      • SSP students: see the information about arriving late.