Requirements

The HMS Faculty of Medicine accepts applications from current students in good standing and graduates of accredited colleges who:

  • Present evidence that their intellectual and personal credentials are of such quality as to predict success in the study and practice of medicine
  • Demonstrate aptitude in the biological and physical sciences during their undergraduate years, but not to the exclusion of the humanities and social sciences
  • Supplemented their education with at least one year of college or university training in the United States or Canada if they have completed academic work outside the United States or Canada. Foreign students who do not have a baccalaureate or advanced degree from an institution in the United States or Canada are rarely accepted for admission.
  • Demonstrate fluent and nuanced facility in English, as effective communication among the medical care team and between physicians and patients is crucial to the delivery of care

Students are required to complete at least three years of college work and a baccalaureate degree prior to matriculation. In addition, students must complete all required prerequisite coursework prior to matriculation.

PLEASE NOTE: Students who have been enrolled in medical school are ineligible to apply for admission to the first-year class. Students who have applied for admission to HMS on two prior occasions also are ineligible. HMS does not accept transfer students.

Restrictions

Number of Application Cycles

Candidates are considered for admission a maximum of two application cycles. Applications from individuals who have already made two previous application attempts will be rejected. Incomplete application attempts count toward the two-time maximum.

Matriculation at another Medical School

Candidates who have matriculated in any other medical school are not eligible to be considered for admission, regardless of the reason for leaving the other program. In many countries, students enter medical school directly from advanced secondary school. If you are currently enrolled in any medical school, or were enrolled previously, you are ineligible to apply to Harvard Medical School. Due to constraints on class size, we regret that we are unable to accept transfers for any reason.

Completion of Advanced Degrees

Applicants are expected to apply in the application cycle for the year they plan to matriculate. Candidates pursuing advanced degrees that cannot be completed prior to matriculation will be rejected. For exceptions, see Deferred Admissions.

NIH Graduate Partnership Program (GPP)

Candidates participating in the NIH Graduate Partnership Program (GPP) will only be considered in the year of intended matriculation at Harvard Medical School.

Transfer or Advanced Standing Students

HMS does not accept transfer or advanced standing students into the MD Programs.