The annual In-Person Harvardwood 101 career exploration program brings approximately two dozen current undergraduates to Los Angeles during the January term and provides a series of career-related activities to demystify Hollywood and educate the students about careers in the entertainment industry.
Harvardwood founder Mia Riverton Alpert created the program in January 2003, and it has since been cosponsored by Harvard University's Mignone Center for Career Success (MCS).
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Though we pivoted to a virtual experience between 2021 and 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were thrilled to bring back the in-person experience in January 2024, and we will continue to offer the Virtual Harvardwood 101 program each May.
Virtual Harvardwood 101
(May 20-22, 2025)
Application window: April 9 - May 9, 2025
Admissions are rolling until all program slots are filled.
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2025 Program Overview
An intensive, informational three days featuring a dozen events via Zoom, including industry speakers, panels with interactive sessions, student Q&As, workshops, and more!
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Participating companies in past years include Amazon Video, Anonymous Content, BMG Music Group, CAA, Hallwood Media, HBO/Max, Netflix, Nickelodeon, Spotify, United Masters, Upland Workshop, UTA, WB, WME, and more.​
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Past programming has covered Writing, Producing, Agency/Management, TV, Film, Sports, Music, Acting, Entertainment Law, and more!
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Open to current Harvard University undergraduate and graduate students who are Harvardwood members.
Applicants who were not accepted into In-Person Harvardwood 101 in previous cycles will be given preference for Virtual Harvardwood 101. Participating in Virtual Harvardwood 101 program won’t negatively impact one’s chances of being accepted into future In-Person Harvardwood 101 programs. In fact, students who have previously participated in Virtual Harvardwood 101 may be given preference when applying to In-Person Harvardwood 101.
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Eligibility
To apply for Virtual Harvardwood 101, you must be:
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A current student at Harvard in good academic standing
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A dues-paying* member of Harvardwood currently enrolled in either
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a Standard (annual) membership or other annual plan, or
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a Standard (monthly) membership for at least four consecutive months prior to or following the event ​
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Click here to join and select any of the annual plans. If you are currently a Standard (monthly) member, log in, go to the Membership page, and select the Standard (annual) plan to upgrade.
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Additional Information​​
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You can watch a recording of the Info Session here.
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If accepted, you must digitally sign our Code of Conduct.
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Applications open April 9 and close Friday, May 9 at midnight.
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Applications will be reviewed every Friday. Applicants who submit before 5pm ET each Friday will hear back by the following week.
Virtual Harvardwoood 101 program fee: $50​
*If accepted into the Virtual Harvardwood 101 program, MCS funding for the $50 program fee and Harvardwood funding to cover the prerequisite one-year Harvardwood membership are available to current Harvard College undergraduates, 1st-year through 1st semester senior during Spring 2025, who receive financial aid. Graduate students are ineligible for MCS or Harvardwood funding. Eligible students must consent to having their general financial aid need level shared by the Harvard College Financial Aid Office with the Harvard Mignone Center for Career Success.
In-Person Harvardwood 101
(January 2025)
Boot Camp Week (January 6-11, 2025)
An intensive, informational week in Los Angeles, featuring industry speakers, panels with interactive sessions, student Q&As, social events, and more.
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Jan 6: Welcome Dinner / Orientation in the late afternoon
Jan 7-10: full day and evening programming
Jan 11: farewell breakfast for all Boot Camp participants; departures from LA (for those not participating in Winternships in LA).
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Participating companies in past years include Activision, Anonymous Content, Amazon Video, BMG Music Group, CAA, HBO/Max, Echo Lake, Rideback, Spotify, United Masters, Upland Workshop, UTA, Westbrook Inc., and more.
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Historically, 20-25 students participated in person each year (40-55 students in virtual years).
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Past programming has covered Writing, Producing, Agency/Management, TV, Film, Sports, Music, Acting, and more!
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Additional networking sessions and social events are offered.
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Winternships (between January 13-24, 2025)
For 1-2 weeks following Boot Camp, students hold informal positions at entertainment companies or with individual industry professionals to gain behind-the-scenes knowledge and perspective on different aspects of the entertainment industry.
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Winternships are highly selective and not everyone who applies will be placed.
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We cannot guarantee placement in a specific field or at a specific company, and each company or individual will be making the final decision about whether and to whom they offer a Winternship.
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Work and communications may take place virtually and/or in-person.
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Students who are offered and opt for an in-person Winternship experience will need to do so at their own expense, there will be no University resources available to support travel, accommodations, food, or other living expenses during the program. There may be a limited number of homestay opportunities available through Harvardwood (typically guest rooms in the homes of alumni)
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Additional Harvardwood events will be available for Winternship participants during their experience.
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May be extended beyond the term of the program upon mutual agreement between the Winternship host and student.
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Students who have completed the virtual Harvardwood 101 Boot Camp program in the past are eligible to participate in the In-Person Harvardwood 101 Boot Camp, Winternship, or both this year.
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Due to limited space, seniors and juniors are given priority. Applicants who are not accepted into In-Person Harvardwood 101 this cycle will be given preference for the Virtual Harvardwood 101 program offered in May. Participating in Virtual Harvardwood 101 won’t negatively impact one’s chances of being accepted into future In-Person Harvardwood 101 programs. In fact, students who have previously participated in Virtual Harvardwood 101 may be given preference when applying to In-Person Harvardwood 101.
In-Person Harvardwood 101 Application Information
Eligibility
To apply for the In-Person Harvardwood 101 program, you must be:
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A current student of Harvard College
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In good standing with your Proctor or House Resident Tutor​
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Timeline / Important Information
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Applications open Thursday, September 5 and close Monday, October 14, 2024 at 11:59pm ET. ​
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Here's the recording of the virtual info session that was held on Thursday, September 26 at 4pm ET. ​
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Winternships matches will be announced in November or early December.
If accepted, you must digitally sign our Code of Conduct.
In-Person Harvardwoood 101 fee:
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$1,500 - Boot Camp Program Fee (includes all programming Mon-Fri, housing for 5 days and nights, transportation to/from events, orientation dinner Mon, and 3 meals per day Tue-Fri, breakfast Sat., snacks, etc)
All Harvard College students who currently receive financial aid are eligible to receive funding from the Mignone Center for Career Success (MCS) for the Harvardwood 101 Boot Camp program fee (which includes housing), a $600 travel stipend, and one year of Harvardwood membership, which is a prerequisite for participating in Harvardwood 101. Please keep in mind that this funding is not exhaustive and students are expected to cover other expenses.
Students who are offered and opt into an in-person Winternship experience will need to do so at their own expense; there will be no University resources available to support travel, accommodations, food, or other living expenses during the program. There will be a limited number of homestay opportunities available through Harvardwood (typically guest rooms in the homes of alumni), based on need and given out via lottery.
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If your company has offices in Los Angeles and you're interested in
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having Harvardwood 101 students visit your office
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hosting a company informational
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working with a Harvard Wintern for two weeks in January
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interviewing current Harvard students for summer internship opportunities
please email us at programs@harvardwood.org to let us know! A Harvardwood 101 program director will get in touch with you promptly to coordinate the details of the students' visit, interviews, and/or company informational.
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Dozens of companies and productions have participated in previous Harvardwood 101 programs, including
Alegra Entertainment, Arena Films 3D, Attention Span Media, Bluegate, LLC, "California Solo," Cause & Affect, Collective Conscience, Commonwealth Talent Group, Das Films, Don Buchwald & Assoc./Fortitude, Echo Lake Entertainment, Emerson LA, Ethan Gold Records, Freud Communications, Great Road Capital, Inc., Gurney Productions, Heyday Films, the set of How to Get Away with Murder, Indian Paintbrush Productions, Inside Out Community Arts, Interscope Records, Jackson-Medavoy Entertainment, KSR & Assoc., London Ink Productions, Los Angeles Film School, Lukewarm Alibi, Inc., Martin Chase Productions, Millennium Films, NBC-Universal, Night & Day Pictures, Overbrook Entertainment, Partos Company, PhD Productions, Realio Trulio Media, Red Wagon Entertainment, Reveille and Shine International, Right of Way Films, River Road Entertainment, Staples Center Foundation, Storm Lion, Team Downey, Temple Hill Entertainment, The Jim Henson Company, Tiara Blu Films, Tricon Films, Unique Features, Universal Cable Productions, USC Film School, UCLA Film School, United Talent Agency, Vuguru, Whitewater Films, YRF Entertainment, 2929 Productions, Artfire Films, Attention Span Media, Bedford Falls Company, Brancato Productions, Circle of Confusion, Deep Focus, Fanscape, The Film Department, The Firm, Gersh Agency, Groundswell Productions, HBO, Imaginarium Entertainment Group, Innovative Artists, Participant Productions, Peirce Pictures, Polsky Films, Roserock Films, Samuels Media, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, Temple Hill Productions, Village Roadshow Pictures Entertainment, The Mark Gordon Company, Sony Pictures Entertainment-Creative Advertising, Walt Disney Studios, Whitewater Films, Seed Productions, The Schiff Company, Screen Gems/Tristar, & YouTube Space LA.
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Please review the 101 FAQs, and should you still have questions about the program, you can contact us at programs@harvardwood.org.
Who can apply to the In-Person Harvardwood 101 program?
Current Harvard College students who are dues-current, Full Members of Harvardwood may apply to and participate in the In-Person Harvardwood 101 Boot Camp & Winternship program. If you haven't already, join Harvardwood here.​
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When is the application period?
We begin accepting applications for the In-Person Harvardwood 101 program at the beginning of the academic year. The application period typically closes in mid-October. Register as a Harvardwood member to receive timely updates about all relevant dates for the program.
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When and for how long does In-Person Harvardwood 101 run?
The "Boot Camp" portion of the In-Person Harvardwood 101 is mandatory and is typically the first full week in January.
Students who have completed Boot Camp can also opt to participate in a Winternship for the remaining two weeks of the J-term (pending availability).
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How much does the In-Person Harvardwood 101 typically cost?
The In-Person Harvardwood 101 Boot Camp costs $1,500, which covers all programming Mon-Fri, housing, transportation to and from each event venue, and most meals. Students are expected to cover the cost of their flight to and from LA, transportation to the hotel on the first and last day of Boot Camp, and additional meals and snacks.
Students are expected to cover their own airfare to and from LA, which is usually roughly $550.
Harvardwood arranges communal housing (at the Freehand Hotel) for all In-Person Harvardwood 101 participants. Program participants will be picked up from this location and transported via bus around the city for the first week of Boot Camp. Participants can then choose to stay at Freehand Hotel during their Winternship if they'd like (at their own expense).
Students who stay for both Boot Camp and the Winternship should raise about $2,000-$2,500 to cover:
Additional Winternship Expenses
$500-$600 - Estimated cost of food for 2 weeks
$200-$300 - Transportation for 2 weeks (The LAX Flyaway bus connects LAX and Downtown LA for $10/ride)
​ $600* - Housing
*This number is based on the Freehand Hotel nightly rate for a dorm bed. Participants may choose an alternative at their own expense. We will also have a limited number of free homestays available by lottery for students on financial aid.
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Transportation is covered during the first week of Boot Camp, but you will need to account for transportation if you stay for a Winternship. There is a bus and subway system in LA but it is very limited. Students are encouraged to arrange carpools with their peers or use rideshare app alternatives.
If accepted into the program, Harvard College students who currently receive financial aid are eligible to receive funding from the Mignone Center for Career Success (MCS) for the Harvardwood 101 Boot Camp program fee (which includes housing), a $600 travel stipend, and one year of Harvardwood membership, which is a pre-requisite for participating in Harvardwood 101. Please keep in mind that this funding is not exhaustive and students are expected to cover other expenses.
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Students who are offered and opt into an in-person Winternship experience will need to do so at their own expense; there will be no University resources available to support travel, accommodations, food, or other living expenses during the program. There is a limited number of homestay opportunities available through Harvardwood (typically guest rooms in the homes of alumni), based on need and given out via lottery.
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Can I stay with friends or relatives in Los Angeles while participating in Harvardwood 101?
Possibly, but please contact us before completing registration with information on where you’d like to stay and how you will travel to meet the larger group at the Freehand Hotel each day of Boot Camp (all participants must depart together on the bus each morning and will not be able to arrange to meet us “along the way”). There will not be a program fee discount for students who provide their own housing.
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How can I pay the In-Person Harvardwood 101 program fees once I've been accepted?
Once you have been accepted into the program via email, you will receive a link to pay the Boot Camp program fee. Please do not pay for the program until you have received an acceptance email. The 2025 Program Fee is nonrefundable after November 1, 2024. If the required documents and payment haven’t been received from a participant by that day, the participant will sacrifice their spot in the program and we will open up a spot for someone on the waitlist.