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Getting Accepted into Harvard Medical School: A Comprehensive Guide



Harvard Medical School is renowned for its rigorous academic standards and a mere 2.7% acceptance rate. Gaining admission is a considerable accomplishment, with the institution ranking #1 for research by US News and World Report. As a private medical school in Boston, Massachusetts, Harvard offers not only an exceptional medical education but also the chance to live in a vibrant city. This guide reviews the requirements, average acceptance data, and tips on how to increase the chances of acceptance for prospective students.


Admission Requirements for Harvard Medical School include:


Inorganic Chemistry with lab – full year (AP credit will satisfy one semester)

Organic Chemistry with lab – full year

Biology with lab – full year

Biochemistry – one semester

Biostatistics/Statistics – one semester

Calculus – one semester (AP score of 4 or 5 will satisfy requirement) (HST applicants should take higher-level math courses)

Physics – one year with lab preferred (HST applicants should take calculus-based physics)

Writing – one year (humanities or social sciences)


Recent Acceptance Rate Data:


8,002 medical school applications received

851 medical school interviews conducted

222 applicants accepted (26% of applicants interviewed)

164 medical school matriculants

Overall acceptance rate: 2.7%


Average MCAT and GPA for Accepted Students:


Average MCAT Score: 520 (range 515-525)

Average GPA: 3.9 (range 3.79 – 4.0)

Average BCPM GPA: 3.95 (range 3.74 – 4.0)


Letters of Recommendation Requirement:


Harvard allows applicants to submit up to six letters of reference, with specific criteria outlined on the school's website.


Harvard Medical School Curriculum:


The school offers the traditional Pathways Program and a joint program with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) called the Health Sciences and Technology (HST) program. Harvard also offers various combined degree programs.


Tuition and Financial Aid:


Harvard Medical School tuition is $67,610, with 72% of students receiving financial aid.


Personal Statement and Work and Activities:


Harvard participates in the centralized medical school application service called AMCAS, where applicants submit a personal statement and detailed information about their accomplishments.


Factors for Increasing Chances of Acceptance:


Research: 99% of first-year medical students had research experience.

Medical/Clinical Volunteer or Community Service Experience: 93% of students had experiences in this category.

Clinical Experience/Physician Shadowing: 88% of students had done physician shadowing.

Community Service: 81% of students had other types of community service work.


Application Timeline:


June: Submit AMCAS Application

July: Harvard starts sending out secondary applications

September: Interviews begin

October 15: Final AMCAS deadline

October 22: Final supplemental materials deadline

October 31: AMCAS transcript deadline

January: Interviews conclude

Early March: All admissions decisions released

April 30: Admitted students planning to enroll must select the "Plan to Enroll" option in their AMCAS application.


Harvard Medical School Interviews:


Applicants will have two traditional one-on-one interviews, with students applying for the HST and MD/PhD programs having a total of four interviews. Harvard interviews are typically low-pressure and conversational, focusing on the applicant's background, experiences, and motivations.


With Harvard Medical School selecting students from an outstanding pool of applicants, it is essential to stand out from the competition. If applicants have an excellent MCAT and GPA (517 and 3.8 or higher) or possess unique qualities or experiences that distinguish them, applying to Harvard is worth a shot. Many in the medical field consider Harvard Medical School the best in the country, so it's crucial to make oneself a competitive applicant by excelling in research, clinical experience, community service, and academic excellence.


It is essential to craft a thoughtful AMCAS personal statement and work and activities section, as well as prioritize the completion of Harvard secondary essays. The secondary essay prompts are not very specific and ask applicants to write about what they have done if they have already graduated and to explain any critical aspects of their background and identity not addressed elsewhere in their application.


By engaging in meaningful and long-standing involvements, making significant contributions, and achieving exceptional levels of success, applicants can increase their chances of getting into Harvard Medical School or other highly competitive medical schools. Ultimately, Harvard seeks applicants who demonstrate immense potential to become leaders in the field of medicine.



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