Advanced Standing & Transfer Students (2024)

The History Department routinely grants credit to students who wish to pursue an accelerated program of study at the College, or who are transferring in after a term or year at another institution.

Credit for Advanced Standing:

Students who wish to concentrate in History and who arrive at Harvard with Advanced Placement scores sufficient to earn Advanced Standing should consult the History Undergraduate Office regarding how to create a Plan of Study for their accelerated schedule. Students may also consult the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies, with questions about Advanced Standing in History.

The Department grants one course credit to Advanced Standing students who scored a ‘5’ on either the U.S. or European History AP exams, and two course credits to those who scored a ‘5’ on both exams. Students taking the seven-semester Advanced-Standing option who scored a '5' on one or both exams will be granted one course credit in History. These credits are ordinarily counted toward fulfilling the four concentration elective courses that students are expected to take as part of their ten required courses in the concentration. NOTE: It is only upon a student's formal acceptance of Advanced Standing, two terms before graduating early, that the Department officially grants concentration credit for Advanced Placement scores. Students who do not accept Advanced Standing may not apply AP credit toward their concentration requirements.

Credit for Transfer Students:

Transfer students interested in concentrating in History should make an appointment to meet with either theDirector of Undergraduate Studies (DUS)orAssistant DUSas soon as possible. The Department routinely grants concentration credit for courses taken at the student’s original institution provided that they

1. have been accepted by Harvard College for transfer credit, and
2. are of a verifiably historical nature.

Such credit is granted at the discretion of the DUS.