CAMBRIDGE, MA – In response to impending federal funding cuts under the Trump administration, the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences has made the decision to reject all waitlisted candidates for its graduate programs. This move, communicated by Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean Hopi E. Hoekstra, aims to alleviate the financial pressures faced by the institution and prioritize support for current students.
While the FAS will continue to honor admissions offers and financial aid commitments for existing students, it plans to deny admission to those on the waitlist in the coming weeks. This decision comes as a result of the uncertain financial landscape and the need to allocate resources effectively within the university.
One program impacted by the funding uncertainties is the Biostatistics Ph.D. program at the Harvard School of Public Health, which has reduced its admissions offers amid the looming cuts. Despite these challenges, no admission offers have been rescinded at this time.
The announcement of the rejection of waitlisted candidates follows a University-wide hiring freeze implemented by Harvard, affecting faculty and staff across various departments within the FAS. The freeze has disrupted ongoing hiring processes and reflects the broader implications of the funding constraints faced by the institution.
As developments continue to unfold, the situation remains fluid and subject to further updates. The decision to prioritize current students while navigating financial uncertainties underscores the challenges faced by universities in maintaining operations and supporting their academic community during uncertain times.