04.02.2014

Russia has adopted a “Global Education” program for training students abroad. Money for the program will be allocated from the state budget. We are talking about non-humanitarian specialties - natural sciences, medicine and engineering - and high technologies. Bachelors from Russia will be able to study in master's and doctoral programs at the most prestigious foreign universities. Each of them will be allocated up to 1.5 million rubles, which should cover training, as well as the purchase of teaching aids and accommodation. After completing a course abroad, graduates are required to work in Russia for at least three years in strictly defined companies or universities. The state thus ensures its interests. Otherwise, the grant recipient will be obliged to compensate the state for training costs in double amount. It is not yet clear how exactly the program will be implemented. It is only known that applicants must have Russian citizenship and a diploma of completion of a bachelor's or specialist's program, without age restrictions. It is unknown how expert competition commissions will be formed, how open their activities will be, and in what proportions subsidies will be distributed to various disciplines. Probably, many bachelors and masters who have never dreamed of studying abroad will want to take advantage of government help, but in addition to the internal competition, they will also have to face entrance tests at the universities themselves. What exams will you have to take when entering the university, what can you get kicked out of, and what life is like on campus, says Sergei Arkhipov, president of the Harvard University Alumni Club and head of innovative development at one of the largest engineering companies.

— Is it more difficult to get into Harvard or Yale than, say, into Moscow State University?

— The admission criteria are completely different, but getting into any good university in the world is equally difficult. In my American universities there were no exams as such. But it was necessary to pass the TOEFL English language test and a professional test, for example GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test), required for admission to an MBA program. Moreover, GMAT testing can last up to three and a half hours.

—Who conducts the tests? Universities?

- No. All tests are conducted online by independent operators, and all of them can be taken in Russia. They are assessed in points or percentages. The maximum score for the GMAT is 800, the minimum is 200. Then you will have to write an essay: topics are usually posted on websites in the summer.

Admission to an American university is akin to a marathon: you prepared and passed the TOEFL, rested, prepared - passed the GMAT, rested and wrote an essay, were invited to an interview - passed and entered... Admission is extended for almost a year and comes in waves. The first, say, in September, the second in January-February, the third in May.

— What are the essay topics?

— At Harvard I was asked to write five different essays at once. For example, about the most difficult challenge you faced at work. Another topic that people really like to talk about is the biggest mistake in your life. It is believed that only those who do nothing make no mistakes. And if you write that you have never made a mistake, you will be considered a fraud.

In engineering or technical schools, the topics may be different, but they are always formulated in a way that will understand your worldview and thinking skills. The usual length of an essay is one page. The longest I ever wrote was three. Essays are usually sent by email and if the university is happy with your English and essay, you will be invited for an interview.

— And if they don’t like it, do they report it somehow?

- No. You are simply not invited. But if an invitation has been received, then you already have half a chance of being accepted. By the way, the interview does not necessarily take place in the country where the university is located. For example, I was invited to Madrid, and some of my friends who entered Harvard were invited to Turkey. Now many universities conduct interviews in Russia.

Each university has a clear understanding of who it needs. If this is a master's program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, then 70 percent of the class will be engineers, and 30 percent will be representatives of other professions, including the most unusual ones. As a rule, they are taken into the third wave of admission.

- Unusual - what are they?

“For example, a ballerina can be enrolled in an MBA program so that the group includes representatives from a variety of fields of activity. Particularly gifted students in whom the university is very interested may even be offered a scholarship or a preferential student loan. And this is up to 60 thousand dollars a year.

— When do I have to pay tuition fees? Immediately after the interview?

— The fee is paid after the acceptance letter is received. After all, you need to get a student visa, but it won’t be given without confirmation that you yourself or someone else will pay for your studies. Therefore, it is necessary that those enrolled can quickly receive a letter of guarantee stating that there is someone to pay for them. Otherwise, you will have to look somewhere for 20 thousand dollars or 10-15 thousand euros in order to transfer at least six months’ fees to the university.

— The program promises that future masters will be paid not only for their studies, but also for accommodation, meals, and textbooks. I wonder how much a bed in a university dormitory costs in America?

— A separate room in a comfortable dorm — about $800 a month. True, the conditions are comparable to a four-star hotel. You need to add about $300 more for food. It turns out that the associated costs are half the cost of study. An apartment is cheaper than a hostel. In downtown Boston, for example, there is an entire house that is traditionally rented only by MIT students.

— Any foreign student who travels to a foreign country needs guarantees of personal safety. How is this handled on campuses?

— Each university has its own security service. There is security in the dormitories; after 11 pm there is silence. You can stay awake, but making noise is prohibited. Alcohol is sold with great restrictions. In Massachusetts, in general, beer is only for those over 21 years of age and strictly according to your passport.

Police squads constantly drive around the campus in cars and, if they notice something like this, they immediately inform the entire university by email: “Attention! A man has been spotted behaving inappropriately towards girls! His name and surname are being found out!”

— Why can a student be expelled?

— First of all, for cheating. Moreover, they are expelled mercilessly, even a week before the end of the master’s program. Students from Eastern Europe and the Middle East are expelled for this more often than others. They can be expelled for violating ethical rules: aggression or public statements that infringe on the rights of someone - religious, ethnic or sexual minorities. In other words, if the student demonstrates intolerance.

— The main condition for state support for those admitted to a Western university is to then work in a Russian company. If not, the fine is almost triple the amount. It turns out that a graduate can pay it and not go back?

“I admit that someone will want to stay in America or Europe, but in five or six years many will still return home. There are more opportunities to find interesting work in Russia. There is a struggle for talent in the world, and our country has entered this struggle as an equal by creating a program to support the education of Russians abroad.

Irina Ivoilova

Harvard University, founded in the USA in the city of Cambridge in 1636, is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, where you can get not only a first-class education, but also acquire useful connections among the “golden” youth. Imagine that each year a two-person university admissions committee selects 2,000 prospective students from among 30,000 applicants. So what does it take to get into Harvard?

What do you need to get into Harvard?

According to Harvard rules, applications are accepted from November 1 to January 1. It can be filled out on the university website or printed and sent by mail. In addition, you must provide:

• a certificate of completion of school and a transcript with grades for school disciplines;
• 2 recommendations from your school teachers;
• SAT (or AST) and SAT II scores.

The SAT, or Scholastic Assessment Test, is a standardized test that assesses high school graduates' academic knowledge and consists of three sections: Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing. ACT (American College Testing) is also a test for admission to American universities, consists of 4 sections - English, reading, mathematics and scientific reasoning. SAT II refers to three specialized tests that demonstrate the applicant’s knowledge of the chosen specialty.

In addition, members of the admissions committee will pay attention to your social activities, active work in public organizations or conducting scientific work. This may well be participation in olympiads, competitions, various programs, volunteer projects and internships. You need to demonstrate your interests, as well as success in any field: be it music, sports, foreign languages. In general, it is important to convey to the admissions committee your active

How to enter Harvard: payment

Harvard is not only one of the most prestigious, but also expensive universities in the world. Regarding how much it costs to study at Harvard, on average you will have to pay about $32,000 per year. And that's just training! Add $10,000 for dorm room fees, plus $2,000 for various fees and charges. As you can see, not every family can afford such amounts.

However, there are options on how to get into Harvard for free. The university is interested in having “bright” heads in their ranks. Therefore, you need to prove your need to the university and interest members of the admissions committee. If you succeed, you will be provided with financial assistance, partial or full.

As a last resort, you can engage in self-education: distance learning at Harvard is possible through online conferences and video courses, the cost of which is quite reasonable.

Go for it, maybe you will be the one to become a student at a prestigious American university and get an excellent education. No wonder one of the 15 motivations of Harvard students sounds like this: “ People who invest in the future are realists».

Among those reading these lines, there is probably not a single person who does not know what Harvard is. A Harvard graduate is synonymous with a specialist of the highest standard. A Harvard professor means an authoritative scientist. A study conducted at Harvard University is always a serious scientific work that influences decision-making at the government level.
Harvard University is located in the northeastern United States, in Massachusetts, and is part of a group of elite, tradition-rich American universities - the Ivy League. From year to year, this university occupies leading positions in leading world and national rankings.
In the annual rankings of the best universities in America, compiled by U.S. magazine. News & World Report, Harvard always ranks in top three; Over the past 13 years, he has taken first place in the university's table of ranks seven times.
In the ranking of the best universities in the world, which is published by the influential British publication Times Higher Education and the Thomson Reuters news agency, Harvard also always holds one of the leading positions. The university is one of the global leaders in individual fields - medicine, law, business, natural sciences...
Among the university's graduates are eight (!) US presidents and several foreign heads of state and government. Many world-famous politicians, businessmen, scientists, and artists are proud of his diploma. For 7,200 students (undergraduates - the first four years, up to a bachelor's degree) and 14,000 graduate students (post-graduates - those studying for master's and doctoral degrees), there are about 4,700 professors and teachers, 2,500 administrative service employees and 11,000 medical workers. Harvard's academic library—more precisely, its library system of 80 libraries—is unrivaled in its book collections among American universities and is one of the largest in the world.
Many people dream of studying at this outstanding university, which dates back to 1636, but only a few manage to make this dream come true. The number of applicants to study at Harvard is many times greater than admission to this university: for example, in 2013, out of 27,500 applicants who applied, 1,658 people were enrolled in the first year.

Insiders know the situation best, so we asked Professor of the Harvard School to talk about studying at Harvard. Kennedy School (Harvard Kennedy School) by Sergei KONOPLEV.

– How does Harvard University differ from other Ivy League colleges?

– Other Ivy League universities - for example, Yale, Stanford, Cornell - are also world famous, but they are not as widely known as Harvard. The main difference is that Harvard University has the most recognizable brand of all American top-class colleges. It ranks first in recognition not only in the USA, but also in other countries.
Otherwise, our university is guided by the same academic and organizational principles that underlie all Ivy League colleges: they carefully approach their curricula, constantly update the material, hire leading teachers, and have the highest requirements for applicants to these universities. Last year, 95% of Harvard's admitted freshman class were top students—in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating classes. It is these high standards that allow Harvard, like other universities of its class, to occupy first places in American and world rankings.

– You work at a faculty that trains future “statesmen.” Tell us about the Kennedy School.

– Harvard Kennedy School (until recently it was called the Kennedy School of Government) is one of 11 faculties at Harvard University, and you yourself have already named its profile. I have been working here since 1997, and the School of Government has been operating here since 1936.
The leitmotif of our entire educational process is the words of John Kennedy: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country.” In the official declaration of the School you can read that it is primarily engaged in training leaders. We focus on the fact that our graduates will occupy leading positions - not only in the government apparatus, but also in business, the media and other areas of public activity.

– The Kennedy School is known for its, so to speak, “internationality,” which is reflected in the composition of both students and teachers...

– Yes, this is true - in addition to the Americans, we have students from 80 countries who, according to official statistics, make up 44 percent of the total number of students in this faculty. We believe that ethnic diversity in the classroom enriches the learning process and gives students a much broader perspective. And outside of school, on campus, we have a lot of interesting international events. For example, among students and teachers, the annual International Night is very popular, where you can get acquainted with the culture and traditional cuisine of different countries where our students come from.
We have a special Edward Mason Program, designed for already established professionals from different countries, whom we help to obtain a Master in Public Administration degree in one year. Our specialists are selecting candidates for participation in this program from countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the former USSR. Mason Fellows are people who already hold leadership positions in their countries in the fields of energy, transportation, defense, foreign affairs, housing, environmental protection, banking, government, education, economic planning, etc. d.

– How is the education of this contingent of your students structured?

We begin their training with two intensive seminars held in the summer, followed by two semesters of study, the content of which, importantly, is largely determined by the graduate student himself. I was one too at one time, so I know very well how useful this study is. (I entered there in 1996 as a citizen of Ukraine). The teachers are very experienced people who have extensive experience working in different countries, and what they teach there—improving public administration—is relevant for all countries, and not only developing ones, but also for America and Russia, not to mention Ukraine.
I want to add one more important point. Kennedy School graduates from various countries maintain close contacts with each other after graduation, and these international, and purely personal, connections often help them.
In general, it must be said that not only the Kennedy School, but also Harvard University as a whole encourage national-ethnic diversity and international exchanges in every possible way, based on the belief that this extremely enriches people.

– You are an example of a teacher with rich international experience who can teach his students a lot...

– We have many professors with rich experience. For example, Ricardo Hausmann is the director of our Center for International Development. He was Chairman of the Development Committee of the IMF and the World Bank, Chief Economist of the Inter-American Development Bank, Minister of Planning of Venezuela, and so on. Now he is one of our most popular teachers.
Well, I once worked with Jeffrey Sachs and was involved in helping Ukraine, and then I became involved in international security issues. It was then that the Ukrainian National Security Program was created at Harvard, and I moved to this program - I led it together with Nancy Huntington, the wife of the famous political scientist Samuel Huntington (died in 2008 - Ed.); By the way, he once predicted the secession of Crimea and the split of Ukraine. This program operated at Harvard from 1997 to 2000, and more than 100 prominent members of the Ukrainian defense and national security establishment passed through it. Then this program was renamed the Black Sea Security Program, since Ukrainian national security problems are regional in nature, tied to the entire Black Sea region, and for Harvard it is more interesting to study the entire range of regional security problems. This program is given special attention by the Romanian government, which has always had a particularly active position in the Black Sea region (after Turkey, of course).

– Are you also involved in anything related to Russia, Professor Konoplev?

– I also run a program called the Russia-US Security Program. This program has been running for 23 years, and every year a group of 15 to 20 generals and senior officers of the Russian armed forces comes to Harvard. They communicate with their colleagues from the Pentagon. This program receives mixed reviews, it is often criticized and persecuted, but it represents one of the few informal tools, channels of Russian-American communication in the military field, which are very important, especially in such difficult periods as now.
In addition, I am the Director of the US-South Asia Security Program. We work with representatives of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other countries in the South Asian region.
We have also been planning to launch a US-China security program for a long time, but we cannot yet do this due to the lack of an agreement on military cooperation between the two countries.
I think that Harvard University makes a very significant contribution to the constructive development of international relations. Although, let’s not exaggerate our importance, not everything depends on us...

– Let’s come down from the transcendental academic heights, where accomplished leaders from different countries study, to the down-to-earth level of ordinary students and graduate students. How different is the Harvard procedure for admission to a bachelor's or master's degree from what you are used to in Russia, Ukraine and other countries of the former USSR?

– There are many similarities, but there are also differences. Post-Soviet states are gradually moving to a two-stage bachelor-master system; for the new generation of students in Ukraine or Russia, this is already a familiar scheme. Well, Harvard University complies with American legislation: there are a number of standard documents and requirements mandatory for all universities, which, by the way, are publicly available - they are published on the website of our admissions committee: http://www.harvard.edu/admissions-aid . There you can read about things like SAT scores, SAT II (720-800) for college, or GMAT (700+) GRE for graduate school, letters of recommendation, etc.
If we are talking about foreign applicants entering Harvard, then to begin with, they are required to be fluent in English, but in addition to this, the applicant’s uniqueness is also required. As for language, TOEFL scores must exceed 100 (this indicator makes it possible to enter any college). Well, the uniqueness of the candidate is his life position, social activity, i.e. work in public organizations, research projects, volunteer activities, being in the top 5% of the class, success in sports or art, leadership skills, business, etc. All this is taken into account by the admissions committee, as is the impression of the interview - which takes place in most cases and is conducted by a Harvard graduate. You don't have to come to Boston for an interview; it can be arranged at your place of residence or somewhere nearby.

– There is one more point that one cannot help but ask a representative of the Harvard establishment: this point quite often stops talented young people or specialists. Legends are made about the high cost of studying at Harvard...

Over the years, many international students have received scholarships to Harvard University and have become very successful individuals after graduation.

There are a lot of people who want to study in the USA, and getting a scholarship to Harvard will be a great opportunity for them. This university offers a large amount of scholarships for international students. As we noted in the review about Harvard University, the cost of tuition is $44,900, accommodation is $10,300 per year, meals are about $6,000 and university fees are about $4,000. As a result, the total amount of expenses for the year is around 65-66 thousand US dollars. If you want to know how to get a scholarship and not have to pay all these unimaginable expenses, scroll through our article further.

Grants for Bachelors

Harvard University is committed to eliminating the financial barrier between attending Harvard and promising international students who wish to study in the United States. In this regard, international students can receive fully funded scholarships from Harvard University to cover the cost of attendance, room, board, and fees. It is worth noting that foreign students are treated equally to local students when receiving scholarships. Scholarships are awarded depending on your family's annual budget:

• Students with a family income of less than $65,000 per year will receive a fully funded scholarship that includes tuition, fees, room and board.
• Students with a family income between $65,000 and $150,000 per year will be asked to pay approximately 0% - 10% of their total income per year depending on family circumstances. The total amount will be approximately $0-$15,000 per year based on your total household income and your financial circumstances.
• Students with a family income of more than $150,000 per year will be asked to pay a prorated contribution of more than 10%. The exact amount for each student depends on their circumstances and financial circumstances.

List of required documents

• Application form
• $75 registration fee
• ACT with writing section or SAT with writing section
• SAT Certificate
• School reports
• Letters of recommendation from 2 teachers

Scholarships for master's students

Graduate students at Harvard University can obtain funding by joining various Harvard societies or through employment at Harvard itself. The university offers university placements to both local and international students. Financial aid, however, is limited compared to bachelor's and doctoral degrees. Here are some scholarships and jobs that you are eligible for as an international student.

Non-university scholarships

International students are eligible for external funding other than Harvard scholarships. These scholarships are awarded by government and various other organizations to fund study and research at Harvard University. Available external fellowships vary for each major, so we recommend that you Google “Outside Fellowships for [major] Master’s students at Harvard University,” follow the links, and check the eligibility requirements. If you meet all the requirements, apply for the scholarship.

Dudley House Community

The Dudley House community organizes various events in the Dudley Valley, which is an alumni centre. Members of this team work to enrich the lives of alumni at Harvard by planning a variety of athletic, academic, and entertainment events. As compensation for their work, students receive 10 meals per week in the Dudley House dining hall, guaranteed residence hall housing, and $3,000 stipends. To some extent, this activity can be considered volunteer.

The scholarship application date for the coming year is in January.

Graders (evaluators, teaching assistants)

Graders help teachers evaluate student performance, check and grade undergraduate work, thus covering part of the teacher's salary for the university and receiving various scholarships and tuition discounts. Harvard officially approves the employment of graders.

Resident Advisors (dormitory assistants)

When new undergraduates move into undergraduate housing, resident advisors help new students adjust to college life. Helpers receive free room, lunch and dinner on weekdays. Students must live in a dormitory according to at least within one semester to be eligible to participate. Application begins in January for the upcoming year.

Freshman Proctors (freshman assistants)

Freshman proctors guide Harvard freshmen and help them adapt to their new college life. These students live in the freshman dorm to help them if they need help. Priority is given to those who apply in January.

Resident Tutors

Resident Tutors are tutors who live in undergraduate students' dorms and help them with their classes. They receive $11,345 for ten months and an additional $850 for the summer. Deadline January 31.

Student work

These are the most common types of scholarships and activities, but there are other opportunities for international students in a variety of fields. Students can work both on and off campus to earn tuition. You can find out more about this type of scholarship directly at the university.

PhD Scholarships

All accepted doctoral students are eligible to receive grants. Therefore, there is no separate scholarship application procedure for PhD students other than applying for admission.

Applying for admission as an international student is essentially the same as applying as a local student with a few exceptions, such as a language proficiency test. This section lists all the required documents and procedures to enroll at Harvard University as an international student.

Required documents

• Online application and $105 processing fee
• Uploaded transcripts to the online application
• Three letters of recommendation
• Motivation letter
• GRE Certificate
• TOEFL IBT 80 (some programs over 80)
• Essay writing for some programs)

Applications for master's and PhD programs open in September. However, admission deadlines vary for different specialties. The most common application deadlines are December 1, December 15, or January 2 for scholarships in the subsequent year. The exact dates of deadlines must be clarified on the official website of the university or with consultants of a particular faculty.

Harvard is the oldest university in the United States, founded in 1636. Training at the first educational level takes place at Harvard College.

Each application to Harvard College is reviewed independently by two admissions officers.

You cannot get into Harvard as an undergraduate with a higher education degree. International students are admitted to the university on the same basis as US citizens.

Harvard adheres to the Liberal Arts position, according to which undergraduate education is as general as possible, students can choose any courses, and upon completion, graduates do not have a diploma of a specific profession, but are a Bachelor of Science or, for example, a Bachelor of Arts. The academic year begins in early September and ends in mid-May.

The gender composition of the university is as balanced as possible: about 51% are female among bachelors, and about 49% among teaching staff.

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The rivalry between Harvard and MIT students dates back to 1900, when the two universities announced a merger that was later cancelled. But because of the failed merger, there were also positive aspects: MIT students can take the courses they like at Harvard and vice versa, completely free.

Document submission deadline

Applications are accepted until November 1 and January 1, depending on whether the candidate wants to take advantage of the early application opportunity or submit documents in the general stream.

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Admission procedure

There are two ways to apply: by completing the Universal College Application or the Common Application. The application can be filled out on the website or downloaded, printed and sent by regular mail. In addition to one of the required applications, along with the documents you must send the Harvard Application Supplement, a school diploma, an application form for foreign applicants, and two recommendations from school teachers. To apply and create your profile on the university website, you need to pay $75 before October 15. Applications indicate the results of tests and exams passed. After final submission of the application, candidates may be interviewed either at the university itself, its representative offices or with alumni around the world, but this opportunity will not be provided to all applicants. However, the admissions committee claims that this will not be counted as a minus for a candidate who is unable to arrange an interview.

Admission requirements

Age - from 17 years old, excellent grades in the school certificate and high scores in entrance exams. There is no minimum score, but most students pass each part of SAT I and SAT II with scores between 650 and 800.

SAT is a standard test for admission to higher education in the United States; its analogue is the Unified State Exam. The SAT was developed and administered by the College Board and was previously administered by the Educational Testing Service, which still participates in its administration today. The SAT was first introduced in 1901; since then, the name and scoring system have changed more than once. The SAT currently lasts 3 hours and 45 minutes and costs $47 for those taking the test in the United States and $75 for everyone else. The SAT scores range from 600 to 2400. The exam includes three tests: text analysis, mathematics, and writing.

Entrance tests

SAT or ACT exam - candidate's choice; The SAT II exam is two tests of knowledge of the disciplines that the candidate wants to study in the future. A certificate confirming language knowledge is optional.

Cost of education

A year of study at Harvard averages $33,696, and with other expenses the amount reaches $50,000 per year.

Available Grants

The university makes every effort to accommodate everyone who cannot pay for their studies on their own - about 70% of students receive financial support. To receive a full scholarship, you must prove that your family's annual income is less than $60,000.

Campus

In total, Harvard has three campuses - transport links are established between them. One of them is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and covers an area of ​​85 hectares. On its territory there are administrative buildings, libraries, museums, educational buildings and dormitories. Students live in 12 houses, nine of which are located on the south campus, next to the Charles River, and the other three are located in a residential area half a mile from Cambridge Yard to the northwest, where Radcliffe College used to be located. Each house has living rooms, separate for undergraduate students, graduate students, teachers, dining rooms, and libraries. Harvard Business School, including its main sports facilities, is located on the other side of the river and covers an area of ​​145 hectares. Both campuses are connected by a bridge. Harvard Medical School is located in the town of Longwood, five kilometers from Cambridge.

In addition to its three campuses in Cambridge, Ellston, and Longwood, Harvard operates the Arboretum in Boston, the Research Library and Museum in Washington, the 3,000-acre Harvard Forests at Petersham, a research center in Italy, and the Harvard Center in China.

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Museums and libraries

Harvard has 80 independent libraries containing 15 million volumes. The three most popular undergraduate libraries are Cabot Science Library, Lamont Library, and Widener Library. They are located in the central areas of the campuses. There are also several museums at Harvard: The Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts, Harvard Art Museums, Harvard Museum of Natural History, Peabody Museum of Archeology and Ethnology, Semitic Museum.