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  • Education & Admissions
    • MD Program
    • MD Admissions
    • MD-PhD Program
    • Master's Degree Programs
    • PhD Degree Programs
    • Professional, Corporate, and Continuing Education
    • Registrar
    • Graduation
    • Health Info
  • Life at HMS
    • Experience Boston
    • Housing and Dining
    • Our Campus
    • Student Life and Community
    • Student Spaces
  • Research
    • Research Departments, Centers, Initiatives and more
    • Blavatnik Institute
    • Postdoctoral Training
    • HMS Researcher Resources
    • Countway Library of Medicine
    • Paper Chase
    • Animal Research
    • Examples of Current Research
    • Threats to Research Funding
  • News & Events
    • News
    • Harvard Medicine magazine
    • Multimedia
    • Calendar
    • Sign Up for Email Communications
    • For Media
    • Publications Archive
    • Anatomical Gift Program Resources
  • About HMS
    • The History of HMS
    • Campus and Culture
    • Culture and Community
    • Facts and Figures
    • HMS Affiliates
    • Strategic Plan 2025
    • LCME Accreditation
    • Leadership
    • Contact HMS
    • Office of the Dean
    • People of Harvard Medical School

Timeline

  • Education & Admissions
    • MD Program
      • Admissions
        • Preparing to Apply
          • Eligibility
          • Prerequisite Courses
          • Choosing an MD Track
          • Timeline
          • Policies
Early MayAMCAS application opens
Early JuneAMCAS application becomes available for submission
Early JulyHMS secondary opens and becomes available for submission
SeptemberInterviews begin
October 15Final deadline for AMCAS application
October 22Final deadline for HMS secondary application and all materials (letters, MCAT scores, etc.)
October 30AMCAS transcript deadline. All transcripts must be received before this date.
JanuaryInterviews conclude
Early MarchAll 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 MarchDeadline 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.
AprilAdmitted Student Preview Days
April 15Admitted students should narrow their acceptance offers down to three schools.
April 30Admitted 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 2Admitted 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 JuneImmunization and health forms deadline
JulyEmail notification of fall term bill sent to students
July 1Deadline to submit all transcripts to the admissions office
Early AugustMatriculation & 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 plan 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 2. 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 2. 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.

Admission Decisions

HMS does not have an early decision program or a rolling admissions policy. All admissions decisions are sent out via email on the same date in early March, whether candidates are accepted, declined, or waitlisted. All admissions decisions are final.

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. If approved, the deferral is 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.

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