A concentration within the College
Harvard says students choose a concentration, its word for a major. The pages read describe no separate application to Earth and Planetary Sciences.
Undergraduate · Harvard College
Harvard Earth and Planetary Sciences: the Earth's history and systems
Harvard College admits students to the College, and Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) is one of the concentrations they can choose once enrolled. Harvard describes a department focused on events that shaped the Earth's evolution and its place in the solar system, using theoretical, computational, laboratory and field methods. This guide makes no claim of a separate application to EPS.
Official information · read 1 November 2026, no entry-year label
What Harvard says about Harvard Earth and Planetary Sciences
Taken from Harvard's Earth and Planetary Sciences undergraduate page, Harvard College's Concentrations page and Application Requirements page, read on 1 November 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check Harvard's pages for the 2028-entry details.
Interdisciplinary Earth science
Harvard says training spans biology, chemistry, engineering, physics, mathematics and the Earth sciences themselves.
Theory, computation, laboratory and field
Harvard lists these methods, applied from tectonic-plate to microbial scale and across geological time.
A tutorial culture
The department requires concentrators to attend five tutorials before graduation, and prospective students are welcome.
Calculus is not an admission requirement
Harvard says it views math records holistically with no specific course required, and calculus is not required for admission.
The SAT or ACT is required
Harvard requires one of them; A-level and IB school reports carry predicted grades.
Official sources
- Harvard College: Concentrations (Liberal Arts & Sciences)college.harvard.edu
- Harvard Earth and Planetary Sciences: undergraduateeps.harvard.edu
- Harvard College: Application Requirementscollege.harvard.edu
Read on 1 November 2026 on Harvard's Earth and Planetary Sciences undergraduate page, Harvard College's Concentrations page and Application Requirements page, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Harvard's course catalogue, the full requirement lists, fees, deadlines and financial aid were not read, and the department page read is a tutorial-and-events page, so this guide describes the department mainly from Harvard's concentrations page and are not stated.
The concentration
What the EPS concentration teaches
Harvard's concentrations page says the department is focused on critical events that have shaped the Earth's evolution and its place in the solar system, applying interdisciplinary tools to processes from tectonic-plate to microbial scale and across the full sweep of geological time. It says training broadly spans biology, chemistry, engineering, physics, mathematics and the Earth sciences. Gateway courses include A Brief History of the Earth and introductions to environmental science and engineering. The department page read describes tutorials rather than curriculum, so this guide does not list further requirements.
Is it the right concentration?
EPS beside ESPP and Astrophysics
Harvard lists these as separate concentrations, so the choice is made after admission. Avandy's comparison is general.
EPS fits if
you want the Earth and planets as natural systems studied across geological time.
Environmental Science and Public Policy fits if
you want policy joined to environmental science. Avandy's Harvard ESPP guide covers it.
Astrophysics fits if
you want the physics of the wider universe. Avandy's Harvard Astrophysics guide covers it.
Admission and testing
A College application, an SAT or ACT, and predicted grades
Harvard requires the SAT or ACT, and accepts other results such as the IB or A levels only in exceptional cases when those tests are not accessible. Schools on the IB or A-level curriculum are expected to send predicted grades. Harvard says calculus is not required for admission and no specific math course is required. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Harvard's.
Are field and laboratory methods both appealing?
Harvard lists theoretical, computational, laboratory and field-based methods.
Does the span from biology to physics suit you?
The training is described as broad across several sciences.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT with your A levels or IB?
Harvard requires one of them for first-year applicants.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Harvard's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check Harvard's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 1 November 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Harvard has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, fees, financial aid and any department prerequisites not quoted here: not stated
This guide has not read them. Check Harvard for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the Earth and Planetary Sciences entry on Harvard's concentrations page and the department page, and plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Harvard College or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with Harvard College. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply directly to Harvard Earth and Planetary Sciences?
The pages read describe admission to Harvard College. Students choose a concentration, Harvard's word for a major, once enrolled.
What are the department tutorials?
The department says tutorials let concentrators and prospective students meet faculty informally, and concentrators must attend five before graduation.
Is EPS only about the Earth?
Harvard's name and description include planetary science and the Earth's place in the solar system.
Do I need calculus before applying?
Harvard says calculus is not a requirement for admission and that no specific math course is required.
Do I need the SAT or ACT with A levels or the IB?
Harvard requires the SAT or ACT; IB or A-level results meet the requirement only in exceptional cases when those tests are not accessible.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Harvard's wording with no entry-year label. Check Harvard's pages again when Harvard publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Harvard Earth and Planetary Sciences
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their physics, chemistry and mathematics, their interest in field and laboratory science and their SAT or ACT plan, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.