Harvard Outreach Newsletter

141st Issue, May 2025

In this issue:

Reception for the Harvard Class of 2029

On Sunday 18 May, 25 out of over 50 UK admits to the Harvard Class of 2029 gathered with their parents, interviewers, and Harvard Club Board members at The Queen’s Club in West London, to chat with the classmates they will spend the next four years with after they begin their studies this August.

As usual, the admits were soon talking with each other excitedly and swapping stories and contact details – and so were their parents, who appreciated the opportunity to compare notes with other parents who are supporting their children through their university years.

The students were formally welcomed by Stuart Gordon, Co-Chair of the Schools and Scholarships Committee of the Harvard Club UK. HCUK President Vicky Leung then introduced Adam Mombru, a recent Harvard graduate who gave some very useful tips and advice to our new recruits about how to navigate their first year at College.

Portrait of this year's admits: achievements outside the classroom

Given that most applicants to Harvard are highly accomplished academically, what often tips the balance towards being offered a place is what they have been doing outside the classroom. Some applicants are excellent musicians, actors or dancers, while others are playing sport at an elite level. But there are a wide range of other pursuits that catch the attention of the Admissions Committee – including a high-end bridge player with a sideline in political philosophy. Here is a snapshot of some of the extracurricular activities undertaken by this year’s group of UK admits.

Music:

Two of this year’s admits play in the National Youth Orchestra, and one is the leader of their high school orchestra. We also have excellent players in piano, violin, viola, cello, flute, clarinet, and electric guitar – plus an opera singer.

Sport:

We have elite athletes in rowing, squash, and athletics; the captain of a school soccer team; and someone who plays field hockey for England.

Community Service:

Many in this year’s incoming class have been mentoring or teaching younger students at their high schools. One of our new recruits founded a science education club at a local primary school; another co-founded an outreach programme in robotics; and yet another co-founded a Black History Centre.

Political Activisim:

One of the UK Class of 2029 has been elected as Young Mayor of Tower Hamlets; another has been campaigning for eating disorder education to be included in the school curriculum; another is working to reduce the amount of food waste in the school kitchen; and still another is undertaking research in the responsible use of AI.

Meet some of the students in the Class of 2029

International enrolments: where to go for information about Harvard’s disputes with the federal government

On 23 May, Harvard President Alan Garber sent this message to the whole Harvard community:

Dear Members of the Harvard Community,

Yesterday [22 May], the federal government announced that it has revoked Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and stripped the University of its authority to sponsor F- and J- visas for international students and scholars for the 2025-26 academic year. The revocation continues a series of government actions to retaliate against Harvard for our refusal to surrender our academic independence and to submit to the federal government’s illegal assertion of control over our curriculum, our faculty, and our student body.

We condemn this unlawful and unwarranted action. It imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars across Harvard and serves as a warning to countless others at colleges and universities throughout the country who have come to America to pursue their education and fulfill their dreams. We have just filed a complaint, and a motion for a temporary restraining order will follow. As we pursue legal remedies, we will do everything in our power to support our students and scholars. The Harvard International Office will provide periodic updates as new information becomes available.

The government has claimed that its destructive action is based on Harvard’s failure to comply with requests for information from the US Department of Homeland Security. In fact, Harvard did respond to the Department’s requests as required by law.

For those international students and scholars affected by yesterday’s action, know that you are vital members of our community. You are our classmates and friends, our colleagues and mentors, our partners in the work of this great institution. Thanks to you, we know more and understand more, and our country and our world are more enlightened and more resilient. We will support you as we do our utmost to ensure that Harvard remains open to the world.

Sincerely,
Alan M. Garber

Key Information Sites

The key website for information while the dispute is ongoing is the Harvard International Office (HIO).

The HIO also provides U.S. immigration FAQs for international students and scholars.

You can also visit the Office of the President website for presidential statements and updates.

If you have been admitted to the Harvard Class of 2029, be sure to check your Harvard inbox regularly, as well as the above websites, to stay abreast of the latest information.

Background information

The following Harvard Gazette articles provide useful background information to the disputes:

21 July 2025 Harvard seeks restoration of research funds

6 June 2025 Judge blocks Trump order on international students

23 May 2025 University sues Trump administration over move to bar international students

13 May 2025 Harvard amends lawsuit to push back against new funding cuts

29 April 2025 Harvard releases anti-bias reports

28 April 2025 Pulse Survey finds strong sense of belonging and respect at Harvard

21 April 2025 Harvard files lawsuit against Trump administration

14 April 2025 Harvard won’t comply with demands from Trump administration

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