Who can apply to the In-Person Harvardwood 101 program?

Current Harvard College students who are dues-current, Full Members of Harvardwood may apply to and participate in the In-Person Harvardwood 101 Boot Camp & Winternship program. If you haven't already, join Harvardwood here.​

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When is the application period?

We begin accepting applications for the In-Person Harvardwood 101 program at the beginning of the academic year. The application period typically closes in mid-October. Register as a Harvardwood member to receive timely updates about all relevant dates for the program.

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When and for how long does In-Person Harvardwood 101 run?

The "Boot Camp" portion of the In-Person Harvardwood 101 is mandatory and is typically the first full week in January. 

Students who have completed Boot Camp can also opt to participate in a Winternship for the remaining two weeks of the J-term (pending availability). 

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How much does the In-Person Harvardwood 101 typically cost?

The In-Person Harvardwood 101 Boot Camp costs $1,500, which covers all programming Mon-Fri, housing, transportation to and from each event venue, and most meals. Students are expected to cover the cost of their flight to and from LA, transportation to the hotel on the first and last day of Boot Camp, and additional meals and snacks.

 

Students are expected to cover their own airfare to and from LA, which is usually roughly $550.

 

Harvardwood arranges communal housing (at the Freehand Hotel) for all In-Person Harvardwood 101 participants. Program participants will be picked up from this location and transported via bus around the city for the first week of Boot Camp. Participants can then choose to stay at Freehand Hotel during their Winternship if they'd like (at their own expense).

 

Students who stay for both Boot Camp and the Winternship should raise about $2,000-$2,500 to cover: 

 

Additional Winternship Expenses

 $500-$600 - Estimated cost of food for 2 weeks

 $200-$300 - Transportation for 2 weeks (The LAX Flyaway bus connects LAX and Downtown LA for $10/ride)

​ $600* - Housing

*This number is based on the Freehand Hotel nightly rate for a dorm bed. Participants may choose an alternative at their own expense. We will also have a limited number of free homestays available by lottery for students on financial aid.

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Transportation is covered during the first week of Boot Camp, but you will need to account for transportation if you stay for a Winternship. There is a bus and subway system in LA but it is very limited. Students are encouraged to arrange carpools with their peers or use rideshare app alternatives.  

 

If accepted into the program, Harvard College students who currently receive financial aid are eligible to receive funding from the Mignone Center for Career Success (MCS) for the Harvardwood 101 Boot Camp program fee (which includes housing), a $600 travel stipend, and one year of Harvardwood membership, which is a pre-requisite for participating in Harvardwood 101. Please keep in mind that this funding is not exhaustive and students are expected to cover other expenses.

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Students who are offered and opt into an in-person Winternship experience will need to do so at their own expense; there will be no University resources available to support travel, accommodations, food, or other living expenses during the program. There is a limited number of homestay opportunities available through Harvardwood (typically guest rooms in the homes of alumni), based on need and given out via lottery.

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Can I stay with friends or relatives in Los Angeles while participating in Harvardwood 101?

Possibly, but please contact us before completing registration with information on where you’d like to stay and how you will travel to meet the larger group at the Freehand Hotel each day of Boot Camp (all participants must depart together on the bus each morning and will not be able to arrange to meet us “along the way”). There will not be a program fee discount for students who provide their own housing.

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How can I pay the In-Person Harvardwood 101 program fees once I've been accepted?

Once you have been accepted into the program via email, you will receive a link to pay the Boot Camp program fee. Please do not pay for the program until you have received an acceptance email. The 2025 Program Fee is nonrefundable after November 1, 2024. If the required documents and payment haven’t been received from a participant by that day, the participant will sacrifice their spot in the program and we will open up a spot for someone on the waitlist.