Harvard University is poised to drastically cut its Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) admissions over the next two years. Internal emails reveal these reductions are a direct response to significant financial pressures, including a projected $113 million budget deficit for fiscal year 2025 and new federal endowment taxes.
Significant Reductions Across Departments
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) will experience particularly sharp decreases. The sciences division faces an alarming 75% cut in Ph.D. admissions, while the arts and humanities will see a 60% reduction. Although the exact figures for the social sciences division are still pending, faculty sources indicate cuts could range from 50% to 70%.
Departments have some flexibility in allocating their remaining admission slots. However, some departments may find themselves severely constrained. For instance, if a department is left with only one potential slot after the percentage cuts, they will unfortunately be unable to admit any new students. Departments are under pressure to finalize these critical decisions by this Friday.
Financial Challenges Driving the Changes
FAS Dean Hopi Hoekstra had previously hinted at a reduction in Ph.D. admissions but had not provided specific numbers. She cited an unstable research funding landscape and the escalating costs associated with federal endowment taxes as primary drivers. These financial woes echo similar challenges faced by other institutions, many of which had already paused graduate admissions earlier this spring following cuts to research grants during the Trump administration.
Broad Implications for Academia
Academics and experts are raising concerns that these sweeping reductions in Ph.D. admissions could have profound and long-lasting effects. Doctoral students are not just researchers; they are integral to supporting undergraduate education and assisting faculty members in their work. A sharp decline in the number of incoming Ph.D. candidates could significantly strain Harvard’s academic operations and impede the development of the next generation of scholars.
This situation underscores a growing dilemma within higher education: how to balance immediate financial sustainability with the crucial long-term health of research and teaching missions. It highlights the severity of these cuts and the considerable uncertainty now facing both academic departments and prospective graduate students.