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Admissions FAQs
APPLICATION PROCESS
Can I apply to both the New Pathway and the Health Sciences and Technology (HST) programs?
Students may apply to the HST program or the New Pathway program, or to both. Application to both programs in no way prejudices the chance of acceptance to either one. Students may also indicate candidacy for the Medical Scientist Training Program of the MD/PhD program. Familiarize yourself with the unique aspects of each program when deciding to apply.
The The New Pathway MD program
places emphasis on the patient-doctor relationship, the social context and problems of modern medicine and health care, and the extraordinary prospects created by the progress in biological sciences. The New Pathway curriculum uses a problem-based approach that emphasizes small-group tutorials and self-directed learning, complemented by laboratories, conferences, and lectures.
The HST MD program is oriented towards students with a declared interest in a career in biomedical research or a strong interest and background in physical or molecular science. The HST curriculum is designed to emphasize basic and quantitative understanding of modern biomedical sciences and pathophysiologic processes and a fundamental approach to important concepts in modern biology and biotechnology.
Your admissions literature says I can only apply to HMS twice. Does it count as applying
if I only submitted my AMCAS application and never completed the HMS Supplemental Application?
Designating HMS as a school on the AMCAS application will count as an application.
If you designate HMS one year but do not submit the entire application (supplemental application, letters,
and payment), you will still be considered as having applied. Please keep this policy in mind when beginning your application process.
Does Harvard Medical School have a rolling admissions policy?
The Committee of Admissions does not have a rolling admissions policy.
When are the deadlines for applying?
The deadline for the online AMCAS application is October 15th.
The HMS deadline for the on-line supplemental application is November 1st.
The deadline for letters of recommendation to be received by AMCAS is November 1st.
What is your policy on deferring admission after I’ve been accepted to HMS?
Accepted students who would like to apply for deferral must write to the Faculty Associate Dean for Admissions stating their
reason for requesting deferral and their proposed plans for the duration of the deferral. If approved, the deferral is typically granted for one year, though they are routinely renewed for students involved in multi-year fellowship programs.
The Committee on Admissions is generally supportive of proposals that provide for participation in intellectually rewarding
opportunities and service programs during the time of deferral from HMS.
What can I do to make myself a more attractive candidate for admission?
In addition to academic records, the information considered by the Committee on Admissions includes the essay written by
the student, MCAT scores, extra-curricular activities, summer occupations, and life experiences.
Any experience in the health field including research or community work is also noted, as well as the comments contained
in the letters of evaluation. We look for evidence of integrity, maturity, concern for others, leadership potential, and an aptitude for working with people.
Do you have an age limit for applicants?
No. HMS complies with Federal and State Law prohibiting discrimination against any applicant or enrolled student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual preference, age, or handicap.
What are your policies on persons with disabilities?
HMS complies with Federal and State Law prohibiting discrimination against any applicant or enrolled student on the basis
of being differently abled. Applicants with disabilities will be evaluated on a case by case basis in
accordance with technical standard guidelines as suggested by the Association of American Medical Colleges.
REQUIREMENTS
Do I have to complete the required courses before applying to HMS?
No. All of our requirements must be completed prior to matriculation, not application. However, most successful applicants have completed most of the required courses prior to application
Some of the required courses I took were, or will be, completed at an institution outside of the U.S. or Canada.
Will these courses count toward the requirement?
A limited number of required courses taken at an institution other than your "home institution" (the institution that will
be granting your degree) may be used to fulfill requirements, to be determined on a case-by-case basis. Every effort
should be made to take the majority of required courses at the institution that will be conferring your degree.
Required courses taken as part of a post-baccalaureate program of study do not need to be taken at your
undergraduate institution.
I took some of the required courses at an advanced level. Will these still count toward the requirements?
Yes, upper-level courses may be used to satisfy our basic requirements .
When reviewing the required courses, please pay attention to the specifics involved for each requirement, e.g.
laboratory work in biology, general (inorganic) chemistry, and organic chemistry.
What courses count toward the expository writing requirement?
The expository writing requirement can be fulfilled in any non-science course for which you
received graded credit for written work, provided that these courses involved substantial
experience in expository writing.
For the math requirement, I hope to apply statistics courses for the fulfillment. Will this be acceptable?
No, statistics will not substitute for the calculus requirement. One semester of the requirement may be fulfilled by AP
credit for Calculus AB if your score was 4 or 5, or the full year's requirement may be fulfilled by AP credit for
Calculus BC if your score was 4 or 5.
What kinds of biology courses are suggested for the biology requirement?
To meet our biology requirement, candidates should take courses that focus on cellular and molecular biology as well
as the structure and function of living organisms.
Advanced placement credits cannot be used to fulfill this requirement; upper level courses, with lab, should be
taken by candidates with advanced placement credit.
Does your chemistry requirement include courses in both organic and inorganic chemistry?
To meet our chemistry requirements, candidates should take two full years with two full years of lab, one year inorganic
and one year organic. AP credits that enable a student to take an upper level course may be used to meet one semester of
the general (inorganic) chemistry requirement.
What are the statistics on the entering classes, the undergrad institutions they attended, etc.?
Questions regarding the statistics
of our entering classes, etc. are available in our own, or the AAMC literature.
Any questions regarding these statistics that are not answered in these sources are not available.
Do you have an early decision program?
HMS has no early decision program.
If I want to withdraw my application, can I get a refund?
If we determine that your application is ineligible (e.g.; you have already applied two times prior and
were not offered admission, or you are currently matriculated in another medical school) we will return
your application fee, and withdraw the application. Otherwise, application fees are non-refundable.
Do you accept transfer applicants from other medical schools?
Due to constraints on class size, we regret that we are unable to accept transfers for any reason.
Do you only accept applicants who majored in the sciences as an undergrad?
No preference is given to applicants who have majored in science over those who have majored in other disciplines.
A study at Harvard Medical School has shown that students are successful in their medical studies regardless
of undergraduate concentration, providing that they have had adequate science preparation. Students are urged
to strive not for specialized training but for a balanced and liberal education.
What undergraduate institution should I attend? Do Ivy League students have an advantage over other students?
Harvard Medical School is looking for people with broad interests and talents, not for students
from particular academic institutions. Attend an undergraduate college that will challenge you both academically and personally.
What are the average GPA and MCAT scores of entering students? Is there a minimum that I need to be above?
For the 2005 entering class, the average scores are given below. Please keep in mind that the scores of the students selected for admission included a broad range of scores that includes scores reflective of national averages.
average GPA: 3.76
average MCAT scores were:
Verbal-11.01
Physical Science-12.09
Biological Science-12.03
Although there is no application cutoff in terms of grade point average or MCAT scores, academic excellence is expected.
INTERVIEWS
Do you conduct interviews in any area of the country outside of Boston?
At present, all interview sessions are held in the Boston area.
What are the interviews like? Is it one-on-one or a panel of interviewers?
Applicants invited to interview for the NP or HST program meet one-on-one
with members of the Committee of Admissions. HST applicants also interview with a faculty member and student together.
Students applying for the MD/PhD program have additional interviews.
Can I come visit Harvard Medical School for a tour?
Tours of the HMS campus are offered
during the summer months. Should you be invited for an interview, a campus tour will be provided at that time.
If accepted at HMS, another opportunity for a tour will be available during our ‘second-look visit’ in the spring.
FINANCIAL AID
Does Harvard Medical School offer financial assistance to its students?
Harvard Medical School provides financial assistance to over 70% of the student body. More information can be found at the HMS Financial Aid Office website
LIFE at HMS
How many faculty members are there? What are the opportunities to work with a faculty member interested in the same
things I am?
With nearly 9,000 faculty and 18 affiliated facilities, students have
ample opportunity to find faculty with shared interests. All students are encouraged to make
use the Office of Enrichment Programs' searchable database of
hundreds of research, clinical and volunteer opportunities in the Longwood Medical Area.
.
What kind of extracurricular activities and other student groups are there at HMS that I can join?
There are many opportunities for HMS students to be involved, and participation is encouraged. Please refer to the following: Office of Student Affairs and Office of Enrichment Programs for more information on student life.
I want to pursue a dual degree, maybe in public health or public policy. What kind of programs are in place for obtaining a duel degree at Harvard?
Both New Pathway and HST students have the opportunity to enroll in several joint degree programs
offered in conjunction with other Schools of Harvard University and with MIT. Among them are the MD-PhD , the MD-MPH (Master of Public Health),
and the MD-MPP (Master of Public Policy).
What is the make-up of the incoming class?
Members of the Fall 2008 HMS entering class :
come from 64 undergraduate institutions, 34 states and 13 foreign countries
66% majored in the sciences
34% percent were social science, humanities, and double-discipline majors
the age at entrance ranged from 21 to 36
49% are women, 51% are men
50% are students of color, and 18% of the student body are members of under-represented
minority groups
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
I am a foreign student. Will that affect my chances of getting in to HMS?
Foreign students who have studied for at least one year at an accredited institution in the United States or Canada, and have
completed the requirements, are eligible to apply at HMS. International applicants should make every effort to take the majority of required
courses at an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada.
Foreign students who do not have a baccalaureate or advanced degree
from an institution in the U.S. or Canada are rarely offered admission.
Do I need to take the TOEFL to test my English fluency?
You do not need to take the TOEFL. However, we do require, at minimum, one year of previous education taught in the United States or Canada as a prerequisite to admission. Fluency in English is expected.
My undergrad degree is from an institution outside of the United States and Canada. Can I still apply to HMS?
A limited number of required courses taken outside the U.S. or Canada may be used to fulfill requirements, to be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Every effort should be made to take the majority of required courses at an accredited college or university in the U.S.
or Canada. In any case, at least one year of full-time academic work in the U.S. or Canada is required. Foreign students who do not have
a baccalaureate or advanced degree from an institution in the United States or Canada are rarely offered admission.
Are international students eligible for financial aid?
International Students are eligible to apply for need-based financial institutional scholarships and loans. More information can be found at the HMS Financial Aid Office website
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