Prospective Students

Visiting the Department

The Department of the Classics normally welcomes visits from prospective students and their families. We are located on the second floor of Boylston Hall, on the Mass. Ave. side of Harvard Yard (Google map).

It is advisable that you set up an appointment with the Director of Undergraduate Studies (or Director of Graduate Studies) beforehand, especially if you are planning to come in the summer when many people are away. See our Contact page for details.

Visiting classes

If you would like to sit in on classes while you are here:

  1. Check the academic calendar to be sure that classes are in session when you plan to visit.
  2. See Courses of Instruction to find out which classes interest you and meet during the days and times when you will be visiting. 

Prospective undergraduates are welcome to sit in on any class, with the exception of graduate seminars. 

Courses under the Classics rubric in the catalog are appropriate for students with or without knowledge of Latin or Greek.

Students who have studied (or plan to study) Latin or Greek and wish to visit classes under those rubrics would probably derive most benefit from visiting an advanced course (i.e. 100-level). 100-level courses will give a better sense of the field of Classics.

It is suggested that you contact the instructor via e-mail to ask for permission to sit in on the class (see under Faculty for e-mail addresses), and also ensure that an examination is not scheduled for the day of your visit.