MCAT
The Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®) is a standardized, multiple-choice examination.
All applicants are required to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). MCAT exam scores are reported in four sections:
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
Although HMS does not set a minimum grade point average or minimum MCAT scores, academic excellence is expected. Applicants must post their scores to their AMCAS application in order to be considered in the current application cycle no later than October 22nd. Information regarding this test and reporting scores to medical schools may be obtained through college premedical advisory offices or by writing directly to the MCAT Program at mcat@aamc.org.
Applicants whose MCAT scores are more than three years old must retake the test. HMS considers all valid MCAT exam scores during the application review process.
Letters of Evaluation
All letters of evaluation must be submitted to AMCAS. Applicants are allowed up to six (6) letters of recommendation in support of their application, but a minimum of three individual letters of recommendation or a committee letter are required. When considering the total number of letters to submit, please note the following:
- At least two (2) letters should be from professors in the sciences with whom they have taken classes.
- At least one (1) letter should be written by a professor who is not in the sciences.
- We should receive letters from all research supervisors for applicants to the MD-PhD program, as well as applicants to the MD program. Applicants may exceed the six (6)-letter maximum if the additional letters are from research supervisors.
- If applicants wish to supplement a premedical advisory committee evaluation packet with additional letters of recommendation, they should count the packet as one (1) letter toward the six (6)-letter maximum.
- We do not require letters of recommendation from employers, but if applicants have been out of school and working, they should have a letter sent from their place of employment.
While we strongly recommend meeting the criteria listed above, these are not strict requirements. Ultimately, the letters applicants choose to include are up to their own discretion. Applicants should choose the letters of evaluation they believe will best support their application.
Apply through AMCAS®
The AMCAS® application cycle for HMS is now open.
AMCAS®
Application to Harvard Medical School is made through AMCAS®, the American Medical College Application Service. The final deadline to submit the AMCAS® application is October 15th. All applicants who submit the AMCAS® application will be eligible to file the HMS Supplemental Application. The link is emailed automatically to all AMCAS® applicants who designate Harvard on the AMCAS® form once the AMCAS® application is verified. A non-refundable application filing fee of $100 must accompany the completed supplemental application at the time of submission. This fee will be waived for all applicants who have been granted an AMCAS® fee waiver. No secondary applications will be accepted after October 22nd.
Application Submission
Early submission of application materials is encouraged because it assures sufficient time for obtaining premedical advisory committee evaluations and individual letters of evaluation. All letters of evaluation should be received by AMCAS® by October 22nd. All application materials become the property of Harvard Medical School.
If you would like to provide an update to the Committee on Admissions, our office will accept updates through the “Application Updates” tab on the admissions portal. Applicants may provide two updates to the Committee.