The 2008 Harvard Summer Institute on College Admissions

June 22–27, 2008, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Co-sponsored by Harvard University and The College Board since 1961

Barker Hall at Harvard University

In its 48th year, the Harvard Summer Institute on College Admissions is an annual program organized jointly by Harvard University and the College Board. A nationally-recognized faculty of outstanding leaders in the field of admissions and education will offer more than forty sessions and will be available for consultation and discussion.

You may download a copy of our printable brochure here (142K PDF).

Registration for this summer’s program is now closed. To add your name to the mailing list for information on next year’s program, please email sica@fas.harvard.edu.

Some of the topics that guidance and admissions professionals will review together include:

  • Early Decision and Early Action
  • Affirmative Action
  • Alternative Evaluation Approaches
  • Paying for College
  • Practical Recruiting
  • Writing Recommendations
  • Electronic Guidance and Application
  • Budgeting and Cost Analysis
  • Standardized Testing
  • Ethical Issues
  • Case Studies
  • How Admissions Decisions Are Made
  • Organizing the Guidance Function
  • Professional Growth
  • Financial Aid
  • Direct Mail
  • Score Interpretation
  • Secondary School Profiles
  • Working with Non-traditional Students
  • Selecting a College
  • Athletics in Admissions
  • Legal Issues
  • Use of Technology

The agenda includes day and evening programs. In addition to lectures and regular work sessions, the residential staff will be available for individual conversation and consultation. Time is built into the schedule for discussion and break-out groups.

Visits to Area Colleges—New for 2008

The formal program will conclude with a banquet on Thursday evening, and the opportunity will be offered for interested counselors to tour local area college campuses on Friday, June 27. A limited number of sleeping rooms has been blocked for Friday night at participant expense.

What our participants say when we ask them...

“I was amazed by how accessible and friendly all of the faculty members were.”

“I plan to return to my school and lead workshops for other staff members based on everything I have learned.”

“I really appreciated all of the informal opportunities to discuss issues with colleagues on both sides of the desk.”

“This is by far the best conference I have attended.”

“You hardly left us any free time, but wow, did we learn a lot!”