Key Dates

Doctoral Programs Academic Calendar

Fall 2025 Semester

  • September 2: GSAS Fall Term Begins

  • September 3: MIT First Day of Classes

  • September 9: GSAS Add/Drop Deadline. Instructor permission needed after this date

  • September 22: GSAS Add/Drop Deadline. After this date there is a fee to add or drop courses

  • October 1: Degree applications for February 2024 candidates open in my.harvard

  • October 13: University Holiday

  • October 20: GSAS Final Add Deadline

  • October 22: GSAS Spring Crimson Cart Opens

  • November 2: Weekend Sprints

  • November 3: Last day to drop a Fall course via my.Harvard

  • November 12: November Graduation

  • November 19: MIT Drop Date

  • November 26: Thanksgiving Recess Begins

  • November 30: Thanksgiving Recess Ends

  • December 1: Final degree applications for February 2025 degree candidates due in my.harvard

  • December 3: Last day of Fall term classes

  • December 4: Reading Period Begins

  • December 5: EC Exams Begin

  • December 9: Last day to submit a petition to withdraw

  • December 10: Fall Term Exams begin

  • December 11: EC Final Exams End

  • December 15: MIT Final Exams Start

  • December 19: Fall Term Exams End

  • December 20: Winter Recess Begins

  • Note: Dates are subject to change

Spring 2026 Semester

  • January 2: Winter Recess Ends

  • January 12: Add/Drop Period Begins

  • January 13: For February Grads, Dissertations Due on ProQuest

  • January 19: HBS Holiday (MLK Jr. Day)

  • January 20: SIPs Begin

  • January 23: SIPs End

  • January 26: Spring Term Begins. EC Spring Term Begins. Deadline for all students to check in for the spring term. MIT Registration Week Begins

  • February 2: MIT first day of classes

  • February 9: Deadline to add or drop a spring course in my.harvard without paying a fee

  • February 10: February Graduation

  • February 11: Degree applications open on my.harvard for May graduates

  • February 16: University Holiday

  • February 17: MIT Monday schedule

  • March 6: MIT Add Deadline

  • March 14: Spring Break Begins

  • March 18: Degree applications are due on my.harvard for May graduates

  • March 22: Spring Break Ends

  • March 23: MIT Spring Break Begins

  • March 27: MIT Spring Break Ends

  • April 21: MIT Drop Deadline

  • April 23: EC Final Exams Begin

  • April 29: EC Final Exams End

  • May 7: GSAS Final Exams Begin

  • May 12: MIT Last Day of Classes

  • May 13: Dissertations are due on ProQuest EDT for May graduates

  • May 15: MIT Final Exams Begin

  • May 16: GSAS Final Exams End

  • May 20: MIT Final Exams End

  • May 28: Harvard University Commencement