Frequently Asked Questions

The HPAIR Harvard Conference offers a wide variety of events. We have many sessions with leading speakers, which typically include a moderated conversation with our team and time for audience questions.

We also offer our Impact Challenge, providing delegates with the opportunity to work on real-world problems in small teams mentored by industry professionals.

Lastly, we have a wide range of community events for the delegates, from networking sessions to I-Night, where delegates have the opportunity to showcase their talents on an international stage.

All event programming and lunches are covered, as is dinner during the opening ceremony day. Though delegates are responsible for their own lodging and transportation costs, you can apply for scholarships to help reimburse some or potentially all of these costs.

Current undergraduate students, graduate students, and young professionals from all majors and disciplines are eligible to apply.

HPAIR’s conference delegate application process has two rounds.The first is an online application, which can be found at apply.hpair.org. The application requires you to attach a resume and answer a few short-answer questions. If you are selected for the next round of applications, you will either be asked to submit a video interview, or have a brief online (Zoom) interview with a HPAIR staff member. We look forward to reading your application soon!

We take a holistic approach when reviewing applications, considering a wide range of factors to get a comprehensive understanding of each applicant. This includes not only your responses to the application questions but also your past experiences, community engagement, and passions as reflected in your resume. Additionally, we value the insights gained through the interview process, which helps us assess how your individual strengths align with our values. Demonstrating authenticity, commitment, and a genuine desire to contribute meaningfully are key qualities that can strengthen your application.

Yes, HPAIR is committed to accessibility and proud to offer scholarships for all of our conferences.

Applicants can only apply for HPAIR’s scholarship program during the early-bird round.

To apply, applicants must answer an additional short-answer question on the application form and submit the documents listed in the application.

Yes, many of our scholarship recipients are international students!

Scholarships are merit-based, although we do try to take financial need into consideration. We encourage all applicants to apply for our scholarship program, and practice need-blind admissions: applying for a scholarship will not affect your candidacy for the conference!

A B1/B2 visitor visa is required to attend the conference for non-citizens of the United States. More information can be found here.

As a student-run organization, our governmental purview is significantly limited — as such, we cannot advocate for expedited visa requests or granting of a visa on behalf of any individual. For most delegates who request supporting documentation in order to book a visa appointment, the letter of acceptance you will receive is sufficient documentation for the consulate or embassy.

Only currently enrolled Harvard College students may apply to join the HPAIR team.

Yes! As long as you will be 18 during the conference, we welcome you to submit an application.

Due to the short nature and the high number of delegates at our conferences, we are unable to provide recommendation letters to individual delegates. While we believe individualized recommendation letters are important, we do not believe our team is adequately prepared to speak for each delegate’s personal abilities and potential.