Non Degree/Special Student MIT/Harvard

[WhateverHappens]

Hi,

I know that you can apply to both schools (Harvard GSAS and MIT) as a Special Student and,if admitted, you have the opportunity to take graduate level courses (from what I understood most of the PHD courses beside certain seminars). I was wondering how competitive it is to get into these programs. I am currently doing a MA in IR in another institution and I was considering this as a sort of 'study abroad' option. Please share any info you have about it

thank you so much!

[WhateverHappens]

no1 ever considered the special student option?

[WhateverHappens]

bump

[2010Applicant]

I applied for special student (both Harvard and MIT) last year. I am also doing an MA in IR.

Anyway, I don't know much about their admissions stat. My impression is that they are not as extremely competitive like the PhD programs. I think the most important thing is just whether you have a good reason to be a special student there. I was accepted by MIT but rejected by Harvard. I went to neither.