| Timing | Event(s) |
|---|---|
| Early May | AMCAS application opens |
| Early June | AMCAS application becomes available for submission |
| Early July | HMS secondary opens and becomes available for submission |
| September | Interviews begin |
| October 15 | Final deadline for AMCAS application |
| October 22 | Final deadline for HMS secondary application and all materials (letters, MCAT scores, etc.) |
| October 30 | AMCAS transcript deadline. All transcripts must be received before this date. |
| January | Interviews conclude |
| Early March | All admissions decisions are sent out via email on the same date, whether candidates are accepted, declined, or waitlisted. Candidates accepted or waitlisted for admission are sent financial aid materials. Families should file tax returns, FAFSA, and Need Access application as soon possible. |
| Mid to Late March | Deadline for submission of all financial aid application materials including tax returns. Evaluation of completed files and email notification of financial aid award letters begins on a rolling basis. |
| April | Admitted Student Preview Days |
| April 15 | Admitted students should narrow their acceptance offers down to three schools. |
| April 30 | Admitted students planning to enroll at HMS must select the “Plan to Enroll” option on the Choose your Medical School tool in their AMCAS application.* |
| June 1 | Admitted students planning to enroll at HMS must select the “Commit to Enroll” option on the Choose Your Medical School tool in their AMCAS application.** |
| Early to Mid June | Immunization and health forms deadline |
| July | Email notification of fall term bill sent to students |
| July 1 | Deadline to submit all transcripts to the admissions office |
| Early August | Matriculation & White Coat Ceremony |
* Admitted students planning to enroll at HMS must select the “Plan to Enroll” option on the Choose your Medical School tool on or before April 30. If this date falls on a weekend or holiday, the next business day applies. In doing so, it is expected that applicants will promptly withdraw their applications from other schools to which they have been offered admission. If applicants receive new offers of admission, they may update this selection at any time, but they can select only one school at a time. Applicants should notify all schools promptly if their plans to enroll changes.
** Admitted students planning to enroll at HMS must select the “Commit to Enroll” option on the Choose Your Medical School tool on or before June 1. Out of professional courtesy to other applicants and medical schools, applicants should make this selection as soon as their plans have been confirmed, but no later than June 1. In doing so, it is expected that applicants will promptly withdraw their applications from other schools to which they have been offered admission or placed on the alternate list.
Students should apply during the admission cycle for the year they plan to attend. HMS will NOT accept applications from students currently enrolled in other degree-granting programs, unless the pending degree will be conferred prior to medical school matriculation. This policy applies to students participating in the NIH Graduate Partnership Program. Deferrals will not be granted for students unable to complete degree programs in progress at the time of application.
Decision Notifications
Interview Invitations
Applicants selected for an interview will be notified by the middle of January via email. Offers of acceptance will be made from the applicant pool who interview.
Admission Decisions
Harvard Medical School does not offer early decision and does not use rolling admissions. All applicants are notified of their admission decision—accept, decline, or waitlist—by email on the same date in early March. All decisions are final.
Only the Committee on Admissions has the authority to make offers of admission to Harvard Medical School, and this authority cannot be delegated to any other person, committee, or group. A valid offer of admission must bear the signature of the Chair of the Committee on Admissions. Decision information is never released by telephone.
Deferred Admissions
HMS recognizes that special opportunities may arise during the application year. The Faculty Associate Dean for Admissions approves requests for deferral on a case-by-case basis. Accepted students who would like to apply for deferral must submit a request stating their reason for requesting deferral and their proposed plans for the duration of the deferral. Whenever possible, deferral requests should be submitted by April 30th.
If approved, deferrals are typically granted for one year, although they are routinely renewed for students involved in multi-year fellowship programs (e.g., Rhodes, Marshall). The Committee on Admissions only supports proposals that provide for participation in intellectually rewarding opportunities and service programs during the time of deferral from HMS.