Advising

The Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (URAF) provides Harvard College undergraduate students with comprehensive support, resources, and guidance for navigating research and fellowship opportunities. We support students from all class years, across all disciplines with projects related to research, travel, graduate study, public service, and more.

Harvard College alumni may request advising for opportunities that require URAF administration:

  • US Rhodes Scholarship
  • Canada Rhodes Scholarship
  • Global Rhodes Scholarship
  • Marshall Scholarship
  • Herchel Smith Postgraduate Scholarship
  • Harvard-UK Herchel Smith Non-Science Scholarship
  • Yenching Scholarship

Drop-In Advising Hours

Drop-in advising sessions are typically 10-15 minutes long. They're a great way to ask questions about URAF opportunities, discuss your interests and plans, or discuss a particular part of an application.

Spring 2024 drop-in advising hours are listed below. Virtual drop-in advising is accessible via Zoom with Harvard Key.

  • Mondays (in person): 2pm-4pm
  • Tuesdays (in person): 2pm-4pm
  • Wednesdays (virtual): 2pm-4pm
  • Thursdays (in person + virtual): 2pm-4pm

One-on-One Appointments

Scheduled one-on-one appointments are the appropriate choice for a longer conversation about your research or fellowship plans. URAF advisors can help direct you to opportunities, discuss preparing an application, and brainstorm the approach to a statement or proposal. All URAF advisors are “generalists” but have expertise in specific topics (see below).

To schedule a 1:1 appointment, please email either fellowships@fas.harvard.edu (for fellowships advising) or undergradresearch@fas.harvard.edu (for research advising).

URAF Advisors

Tom Hamel, Associate Director: Tom welcomes conversations with students about summer opportunities, postgraduate opportunities, and finding funding for future plans, among other topics. Programs for which Tom advises include Fulbright US Student Program, Truman Scholarship, Yenching Scholarship, Michael C. Rockefeller Fellowship, Beinecke Scholarship, Projects for Peace, Postgraduate Public Service Fellowships, Booth Fellowship, Patterson Fellowship, Rhodes Scholarship, Marshall Scholarship, Mitchell Scholarship, Critical Language Scholarships.

Pam Gaddi, Assistant Director: Pam welcomes students seeking advice on getting started in research, finding research mentors and opportunities, preparing components for funding opportunities, summer research funding, and more. Programs for which Pam advises include Harvard Amgen Scholars Program, Herchel Smith Harvard Summer Science Research Program, Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship program, Yun Family Research Fellows Fund Award, Churchill Scholarship, Herchel Smith Postgraduate Scholarship in the Sciences, Goldwater Scholarship.

Elizabeth Perten, Assistant Director: Elizabeth is happy to talk to students about identifying the right research opportunity, reaching out to faculty, preparing application materials, and writing a strong research proposal, among other topics. She also really likes working with first-years and students just getting started in research! Programs for which Elizabeth advises include Harvard College Research Program, Udall Undergraduate Scholarship, Mackenzie King Scholarship, Laura Houghteling Memorial Scholarship, conference funding, Institution Review Board (IRB), Harvard College-Mindich Independent Research and Community Engagement, research, summer funding.

Jasmine Stecker, Assistant Director: Jasmine welcomes students seeking guidance regarding navigating application timelines and materials, navigating scholarship networks, and identifying suitable opportunities. Programs for which Jasmine advises include UK Scholarships (Harvard-Cambridge, Harvard-UK, Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, Keasbey, St Andrews), Knight-Hennessy, Summer Humanities and Arts Research Program, Gaither Junior Fellows Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Postgraduate Travel Fellowships.

Additional Advising Resources

House Fellowships Tutors: These advisors are here to help upper-level students think through interests in research and fellowship opportunities and provide detailed support through the application process (e.g., essays, letters of recommendation).

URAF Research Ambassadors: These are peer advisers available to help students—particularly first-year students, first-generation students, or students from underserved backgrounds—explore the wealth of opportunities and resources available to them.

Concentration Advisors, Instructors, and Mentors: Your own network of concentration advisors, instructors, and mentors is a valuable resource in helping you think the questions animating your research question or fellowship project. If you're looking for research or other opportunities in a particular discipline or area, departmental administrators and faculty may know of relevant opportunities.

The Mignone Center for Career Success (MCS): internships, summer funding, careers

Office of International Education (OIE): term-time and summer study abroad

Disability Access Office: identifying barriers and implementing plans for access

Academic Resource Center (ARC): resources and advising for achieving full academic potential

Harvard College Writing Center: composition of essays and statements

Science Education Office: undergraduate science research advising, resources for finding research opportunities in life sciences and biomedical sciences, and more