Office of Student Affairs

The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) serves as a resource in promoting the individual and professional growth and development of HMS students. The Dean for Students works with students across all years and Societies to explore ways to enhance or address aspects of the student experience, from education to student life to career planning, and works with students to develop innovative solutions to issues and concerns. The Dean for Students works closely with the Society Advisory Deans/Directors and the Associate Directors/Advisors to ensure that the needs of students are met and that relevant policies are developed or clarified as needed.

OSA services include the following:

• Developing and organizing class meetings and events throughout students’ tenure at HMS
• Connecting students with services, administrative offices and information throughout the Program in Medical Education, the Medical School and the larger university and national communities
• Connecting students with advising resources
• Connecting students with health, well-being, and safety resources
• Providing a resource to the School and larger community on issues that pertain to the student body
• Overseeing the residency match process for HMS students
• Supporting students who apply using the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS)
• Taking the lead in planning many major class-wide events, including Orientation, Match Day, and Class Day (Commencement)
• Connecting students with mentoring resources at the intersection of personal and professional identities and interests

Much of the work of OSA is inspired by student ideas. Students should feel free to set up an appointment to brainstorm with the Dean for Students about ideas and projects and general issues of class-wide importance or concerns.

The Dean for Students chairs the Council on Student Affairs (CSA), is the Co-Chair of the University-wide Council of Deans of Students, a forum for collaboration and discussion across Harvard’s schools, and serves on the Longwood Emergency Management Team, as well as several Medical School and University-wide committees pertaining to student policies and welfare. The Assistant Director of Student Affairs works with students to plan major events and meetings and provides administrative and organizational support to the Student Council and its nearly 50 affiliated student organizations, and oversees the production of several informational materials, including the Pocket Guide to the Wards.