Diversity and Explorations Program

DivEx is a three-day introduction to Harvard Divinity School and our graduate programs.

HDS is a vibrant, pluralistic community that gives students the opportunity to engage in study and conversation across different experiences, with special attention to diversity and social change. If you are a college undergraduate or recent graduate who is passionate about social justice or considering a career grounded in a commitment to diversity and social change, explore HDS at DivEx to learn more about how the study of religion, theology, and ethics will help you make an impact on the world.

For information about HDS and our programs, please complete our HDS Admissions Connect Form.

The 2023 DivEx application is closed.

Please check back in summer 2024 for next year's application.

Who Participates?

The primary goal of DivEx is to increase participation by members of groups that have been historically underserved or marginalized in the study of religion.

Eligibility Note

Please note, we can only accept applications from students who will be traveling from the contiguous United States.

How Much Does it Cost?

DivEx is free. We provide housing, all meals, and domestic airline, bus, or train transportation to and from Boston. Please note that any ground transportation used in your home city to get to the airport, bus, train station, or other transport terminal, and used after arriving in Boston to reach the HDS campus is not included.

I left DivEx knowing that I belonged on campus and that I had something to offer HDS as much as the School had something to offer me. 

— RJ Vasquez, DivEx '20, MTS '24

2022 DivEx Statistics

40

Participants

57%

Seniors in college/university

50%

First generation
 

Learn more about DivEx at HDS

What can I expect?

  • Network with Harvard Divinity School faculty and current students
  • Engage in panel discussions related to diversity and social justice, graduate study in religion, and the admissions process and financial aid
  • Connect with others around the country who are passionate about diversity and social justice and how the study of religion can impact their work to change the world
  • Talk with current students to help you determine if HDS is a good fit for you

How do I apply?

Complete the Diversity and Explorations Program application by the deadline, and check out our DivEx Frequently Asked Questions for specifics on the DivEx program and application process.

Events

Find out more about the DivEx program by joining us for our 2023 virtual events.

Contact us

Email: admissions@hds.harvard.edu.
Phone: 617.495.5796

DivEx Brochure

Read the DivEx brochure to learn more.

Note

Please note that attendance in the Diversity and Explorations Program does not guarantee admission to Harvard Divinity School.

Participants who are seriously considering applying to a degree program at HDS should contact HDS Admissions to discuss the admissions process and the suitability of the program to the student’s future career and educational goals.

Not being selected for the Diversity and Explorations Program will not adversely affect future application for admission to any HDS program.

The program is not designed for students who already have extensive preparation and robust understanding of the study of religion. Therefore, some students who may be well-qualified for an HDS degree program may not be ideal for participation in DivEx, which is exploratory by design.

Diversity and Explorations Program Admissions FAQ

Eligibility

Application

What kind of transcripts will I have to provide in my application?

You’ll need to provide HDS with unofficial transcripts for all post-secondary institutions where you have completed, or are currently pursuing a degree, unless the courses and grades from a previous institution are listed on your current, degree-bearing institution’s transcript. You don’t need to submit a separate transcript if they were courses completed at the college level while you were in high school, although you are welcome to submit those if you would like to. If you have any questions about your transcript(s), please contact our office at admissions@hds.harvard.edu
 
Transcripts must be legible and should include: 
  • Course names 
  • Dates of attendance 
  • Grades, course credits, GPA (if applicable) 
  • Transcript legend/key (often found on the back page of the transcript or on the Registrar's website)

 

My recommender does not have or has limited access to the Internet. Can they mail in a hard copy? Can a recommender hand-deliver a letter if they are local?

All recommendation letters must be submitted electronically through the online application system. We will not be able to accept any hard copy materials.  
 
If you have any questions about this process after reading the application instructions, please reach out to admissions@hds.harvard.edu for more guidance.   

I’ve submitted my application with all required documents, but I still see red ‘x’ marks indicating that some documents have not been uploaded. What does this mean?

Our application processing system can take a short while to refresh after an application has been submitted. We recommend you check back in 30 to 60 minutes from the time of submission, which should allow the system to properly refresh. If documents are still shown as missing at that time, please email us at admissions@hds.harvard.edu so we can look into the issue.