Harvard Medical School

What is Harvard Medical School? Harvard Medical School (HMS) is the graduate medical school of Harvard University. It was founded in 1782 and located in Boston, Massachusetts. HMS is also known as one of the oldest medical schools in the U.S and is repetitively ranked 1st for research among medical schools by the U.S News Report and World Report. Since 1799, when Professor Benjamin Waterhouse introduced the smallpox vaccine to the United States, faculty members have been making huge accomplishments and discoveries and have been recognized internationally. How difficult is it to get into Harvard? Being one of the most competitive and having its Ivy League status, HMS is of course, really hard to get into. According to data from 2020, 6, 708 students applied but only 234 got in with 798 interviews (approximately 3.38- 3.8% acceptance rate). However, it is supposedly easier if you have exceptional extracurriculars. ​ GPA and MCAT: The average GPA of the students that get into HMS is 3.9, and for MCAT scores, you have to score 519 or above (highest is 528). Some things that suggests that Harvard might be hard to get into includes:

• Not having an undergraduate degree

• Having a low GPA (defined minimum cut-off)

• Unable to pay tuition fees

• Unable to “stand out”

• Misunderstanding of what type of extracurriculars you need (hours, types, etc.).

What are some of the admission requirements?

• Studied for 1+ years at an accredited institution in the United States or Canada, and have completed the course requirements (Harvard accepts international students but U.S and Canada institutions and colleges are just more preferred).

• Students are required to complete at least three years of college work and a baccalaureate degree prior to requirements.

• 1+ year of full-time academic work in the U.S or Canada

• You must have a bachelor's degree

• Demonstrate fluent and nuanced facility in English

• One year in biology lab (both cellular and molecular biology), two years in chemistry lab (including inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry), one year of physics-- lab is preferred but not required, one year of math including calculus and statistics, and one year of writing.

• Harvard encourages coursework in behavioral sciences such as psychology or sociology. They also recommend taking courses in literature, languages, arts, humanities, and social sciences for a higher chance of getting in as well.

• Harvard doesn’t have a rolling admissions policy! Meaning the timing of the submission of an application will not affect the applicant’s chances of receiving an interview. But of course, just make sure to submit everything before their final deadline.

Selection Factors:

• Academic records

• Application essay(s)

• MCAT scores

• Letters of Evaluation

• Extracurricular activities

• Summer occupations

• Life experiences

• Experience in research or community work

How much does it cost to attend Harvard? Choosing Harvard Medical School has great benefits if you get in. There are tons of opportunities and you get a lot of experience varying in which pathway you choose. However, the cost of tuition is always a large factor that hits in with many students. Yearly, the estimated tuition for the required: health insurance, living expenses, and mandatory fees is around $95,055. Students struggling with tuition can apply for grants, scholarships, and financial aid. On average, in 2019, the estimated graduating debt was $111, 823. Sources: https://hms.harvard.edu/about-hms https://willpeachmd.com/how-hard-is-it-to-get-into-harvard-medical-school#:~:text=Harvard%20Medical%20School%20%28HMS%29%20is%20definitely%20hard%20to,is%20supposedly%20easier%20if%20you%20have%20exceptional%20extracurriculars. https://www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/how-to-get-into-harvard-medical-school https://meded.hms.harvard.edu/admissions-selection-factors#:~:text=In%20many%20countries%2C%20students%20enter%20medical%20school%20directly,are%20ineligible%20to%20apply%20to%20Harvard%20Medical%20School.