Please see the academic calendar for all lottery dates and deadlines. You will find the lottery-based preferences (rank your choices) page in my.Harvard. While the lottery is open, you will be able to add, delete, or change your course ranked choices. The results of the lottery-based enrollment will be posted in my.Harvard. You will receive an email communication once it has been completed.  

Please note that the lottery-based enrollment process is NOT a first-come, first-served process. All ranked preferences will be run via an algorithm that randomizes choices and does not take time of submission into account. In other words, your ranked preferences are treated equally if submitted within the deadline.  

Here are some important highlights:  

• Students may rank order up to 6 choice courses  
• Each student may receive up to 4 course enrollment and/or waitlist spots  
• HGSE Students should not submit petitions for specific courses to participate.
• Students are automatically enrolled if they receive a placement - no further action is needed  
• These enrollments are dropped at 12:00PM ET on the registration deadline if registration holds have not been lifted  
• If a student is placed on the wait list they should not submit a petition. This would result in losing the original place on the waitlist and being added to the bottom.
• The waitlist automatically enrolls students who receive spots. Waitlist information is viewable by instructors and students in my.Harvard  
• Students may add themselves to the waitlist for full courses from open enrollment until add/drop period  

You can search for courses that are part of the lottery by either entering the HGSE Course Lottery event in my.Harvard or by going to the Course Search under "Browse Courses" and selecting "Graduate School of Education" and then "Fall 2026 Lottery-based Enrollment."  

Important notice for Non-HGSE Students about cross registering into HGSE Lottery courses:  

Non-HGSE Harvard students cross registering into Lottery-based Enrollment courses must email registrar@gse.harvard.edu to request to be added to the lottery event. The lottery event will appear on your student homepage starting. Rank and submit your preferences for Lottery-based Enrollment courses you wish to take by the lottery ranking deadline, see academic calendar for more information. Please note that HGSE students have preference for Lottery-based Enrollment courses at HGSE. Students outside of Harvard may not enter a course lottery. Once the lottery is run and during the Open Enrollment period students may petition to add the course. If approved and the course is full they will are able to add themselves to the end of the wait list.