Important Notes about Prerequisite Completion

AP Coursework

If advanced placement credits are used to satisfy portions of the chemistry, physics, or mathematics requirements, AP scores must be submitted prior to matriculation. If these scores are not shown on students’ college transcript, an AP score report will be required before matriculation. We will only accept AP credits if students scored a 4 or 5 on the respective AP test. AP coursework cannot be used to fulfill certain course requirements, as noted in the table above.

Online Coursework

Harvard Medical School does not have a specific policy restricting the use of online courses to satisfy prerequisite requirements; however, courses taken on-site/in person are strongly preferred. Laboratory Sciences requirements should not be taken in an online format. All other online courses would have to be approved by the Admissions Office on a case-by-case basis. There will be an opportunity on the Harvard Medical School secondary application to indicate coursework that was taken online. Please note that all online coursework should be listed in this section, including coursework that was taken online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Educational Institution

A limited number of required courses taken at an institution other than students’ degree-granting institution may be used to fulfill requirements, determined on a case-by-case basis. Students should make every effort to take the majority of required courses at the institution that will be conferring their degree. Required courses taken as part of a post-baccalaureate program of study do not need to be taken at students’ undergraduate institution.