Get Connected

NOTE: This page is for incoming students.


(1) Learn Your Harvard University ID Number.

A Harvard University ID (HUID) is used with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to access campus web sites and online resources. Your HUID was included with your Admissions mailing. If you have lost your HUID, please call the Admissions Office between 9am-5pm EST, Monday-Friday, at 617-495-1551.

(2) Request and Activate Your PIN.

Your PIN lets you access secure Harvard web sites to check your grades, view your termbill, access course materials, register for an email account, and much more.

You have the option of having your PIN sent to your email address on file with the Admissions Office. Before requesting a PIN, please verify that the email address on file with Admissions is correct. You can check your email address by logging into the Check Application Status page of the Admissions website. If your email address is incorrect, please email fileroom@fas.harvard.edu with the subject line "Email Update." Include your full name, date of birth, new email address, and previous email address (for verification purposes). Once the change is received by Admissions, it may take 2-3 business days for your email address to be updated in the PIN system, so please be patient.

Once you have confirmed your email address on file, go to http://www.pin.harvard.edu/ and follow the instructions there to get a PIN. Note that you will need your HUID in order to request your PIN. After requesting your PIN, you will receive a PIN activation email with instructions for activating your PIN. Please look for this message and be sure to activate your PIN.

If you have confirmed your email address on file with Admissions and are having difficulty requesting a PIN, please contact the PIN Office at 617-496-9001 or send email to pin_help@harvard.edu.

(3) Create Your @college Email Account.

Once you have a HUID and PIN you can create your @college Email Account.

Note: Please allow five business days after accepting your offer of admission before attempting to create your account.

After you have created your @college Email Account, please go to webmail.college.harvard.edu to log-in to your account.

(4) Select and Secure Your Computer.


Make your computer choice:

In determining whether to purchase a new computer or bring an existing system to Harvard, we suggest you review our Recommendations for System Requirements.

Buying a new computer or software?

Technology Products and Services Campus Computer Store sells Apple computers and a selection of software for Mac and Windows PCs including Microsoft Office at significant educational savings. Visit www.computers.harvard.edu for more information.

Technology Products and Services and the Campus Computer Store

  • Telesales:
    • (617) 495-5450 or toll free outside of MA (800) 440-7494
    • Hours Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5 pm

Prepare your computer for campus use

Network Registration & Autoreg

In order to use the Harvard network, you must register your computer on our network. When you first arrive on campus, connect to the Harvard network via either wired or wireless network and launch a web browser. You will be automatically redirected to the HUIT network registration utility at https://autoreg.fas.harvard.edu which will guide you through the steps to register your computer.

For assistance, please contact 617-495-9000.

Computer Security

Users with computers on the Harvard network are expected to take reasonable precautions to ensure the security of their systems. Individuals may be held responsible for misuse by others that occurs on their systems.

HUIT offers antivirus software free to FAS faculty, staff, and students. If you would like to obtain HUIT-distributed antivirus software, please visit http://downloads.fas.harvard.edu. If you need additional assistance, please contact the HUIT Support Center at help@fas.harvard.edu or 617-495-9000. FAS students may also visit the HUIT Walk-In Support Center in the basement of the Science Center, room B-14.



Additional Computing Resources


My.harvard.edu

Harvard provides a customizable web portal for each student at http://my.harvard.edu/. You need a HUID and PIN to login and personalize your my.harvard.edu.


Computer Labs

All Harvard College students have access to computing facilities in the Science Center and residential labs throughout the Houses and freshman dorms. All Science Center labs are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Residential labs are also open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to House/dorm residents via keycard access.

For more information about computer labs on campus, including a list of all residential labs, visit What computer labs are available on Harvard's campus?

Please note that login to HUIT Computer Labs and Kiosks requires you to sign in with your FAS Account.


Lab Printing & PaperCut

PaperCut is the application that allows students, faculty and staff to print to public printers in the HUIT labs and throughout the Houses and freshman dorms. PaperCut requires you to sign in to view your printing budget using your FAS Account username and password.

You can add money to your printing budget at https://papercut.fas.harvard.edu/user or you can debit Crimson Cash to your printing budget at the HUIT Walk-In Support Center in the basement of the Science Center, room B-14.

For a list of all printer locations, visit What computer labs are available on Harvard's campus?


Libraries

Hollis is the online library database. http://hollis.harvard.edu/. You need a HUID and PIN to access Hollis.


Student Computing @ Harvard Seminars

These seminars are offered in the Science Center during Opening Days. Please see the Calendar of Opening Days (maintained by the Freshman Dean's Office) for times and locations.