For the majority of pre-meds, getting into Harvard Medical School would be a dream come true. Harvard University Medical School, like every other top ivy school in the world, has a very low acceptance rate. So, what are the requirements for admission? To get into Harvard Medical School, you must first learn about the school’s acceptance rate, GPA, and other admission requirements. In the field of medicine, we regard Harvard as the cream of the crop. It’s a place where brilliant students come together to improve global health by innovating in the medical field.
Pursuing excellence is a way of life at Harvard Medical School. It’s no surprise that it’s ranked first in the US News & World Report Medical School Ranking. With a reputation like this, it’s easy to see why most pre-med students consider it their dream school. Unfortunately, due to the high level of competition, predicting admission to Harvard Medical School is nearly impossible. This is because there are likely hundreds of others just like him or her for every excellent applicant.
As a result, it is simple to conclude that there is no magic formula for getting into Harvard Medical School. Regardless, this article will provide you with crucial information in order to increase your chances of being accepted to Harvard Medical School. You’ll also learn more about the Harvard Medical School application process.
Don’t fail to read this article about How To Get Into Medical School
What Are the Benefits of Attending Harvard Medical School (HMS)?
Being a Harvard Doctor indicates that you should pursue medical school at Harvard. “Who, then, is a Harvard Doctor?” you might wonder. The pursuit of excellence, both professional and personal, is a way of life for a Harvard doctor. There are several reasons why you should attend Harvard Medical School, aside from possessing the qualities of a Harvard doctor. For starters, Harvard is one of the most prestigious and top-rated medical schools in the United States and the world. It is also one of the country’s oldest medical schools.
Harvard Medical School is a graduate medical school of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, that was founded in 1782. HMS has a long and illustrious history, and its faculty has been at the forefront of major medical breakthroughs. Two, studying medicine at Harvard prepares you to be a leader in this endeavor. HMS has excelled not only in teaching the practice of medicine but also in bringing out the best in those who practice it for over two centuries.
Students at Harvard Medical School can pursue their passions, find their calling, and learn how to make a difference in medicine, science, and society. According to US News & World Report, Harvard University is ranked #1 in Best Medical Schools: Research and #17 in Best Medical Schools: Primary Care. Other Specialty Rankings in Medical Schools:
- #2 in Anesthesiology
- #2 in Internal Medicine
- #1 in Obstetrics and Gynecology
- #2 in Pediatrics
- #1 in Psychiatry
- #1 in Radiology (tie)
- #3 in Surgery
You may also like to read about Harvard University Acceptance Rate
What Is the Acceptance Rate at Harvard Medical School?
As previously stated, Harvard Medical School admission is extremely competitive. Unfortunately, no publicly available information on the number of accepted students exists, so the exact acceptance rate is unknown. However, we can estimate the acceptance rate based on previous admission data. It accepted 227 applicants out of a total of 6,815 applicants. As a result, the acceptance rate at Harvard Medical School is 3.3 percent. As of September 2022, the school’s previous Student Enrolment is depicted below.
1. MD students starting in 2022
- MD (includes 14 MD–Ph.D. students): 165
- Applicants: 6,815
- Admitted: 227 (3.3%)
- Men: 73 (44%)
- Women: 92 (56%)
- Under-represented in medicine (African American, Native American, Hispanic, Mexican American): 39 (24%)
- Asian: 45 (27%)
Additional joint-degree programs:
- Ph.D.: 165 (165 HMS)
- DMD: 35
- Master’s: 135 (117 HMS, 18 HSDM)
- DMSc: 9
- Additional joint-degree programs: MD-MBA, MD-MPH, MD-MPP
- Medical school alumni: 10,425 (MD and masters)
There were also 6815 applications for the Class of 2023, according to Harvard Medical School admissions statistics. Only 165 were accepted out of 948 applicants who were invited for an interview. The acceptance rate at Harvard Medical School was 2.39 percent. Whatever the case, it’s safe to say that the school’s acceptance rate is consistently below 5%. Find out everything you need to know about Harvard University’s general admission requirements and acceptance rate.
What is the MCAT Score for Harvard Medical School Acceptance Rate?
The Medical College Admission Test is required of all Harvard applicants (MCAT). Although HMS does not require a minimum grade point average or MCAT score, applicants must demonstrate academic excellence. As a result, in order to be considered in the current application cycle, applicants must post their scores to their AMCAS application by the deadline. Furthermore, applicants with MCAT scores older than three years must retake the exam. In the absence of this, during the application review process, HMS considers all valid MCAT exam scores.
Given that Harvard does not have a minimum MCAT score requirement, prospective students can at least look at how current students performed. As a result, here are the HMS average MCAT scores based on the performance of the Class of 2023:
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) – 128.96
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (BBFL) – 129.98
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (CPBS) – 129.86
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (PSBB) – 130.25
The overall grade is 519.05. As a result, we can estimate that the average MCAT score for Harvard Medical School acceptance is around 519.
What Is the GPA for Harvard Medical School Acceptance?
According to the Harvard medical school acceptance rate average GPA for the Class of 2023, it is 3.9. Before you throw your hands up in defeat, take a look at the GPA and MCAT ranges provided by MSAR for accepted students:
- Total GPA: 3.75 (10th %ile) to 4.00 (90th %ile)
- Science GPA: 3.69 (10th %ile) to 4.00 (90th %ile)
- MCAT: 513 (10th %ile) to 525 (90th %ile)
You might also be interested in ICRT Scholarships at Harvard Medical School in the United States.
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What Is Harvard Medical School’s Undergraduate Acceptance Rate?
The Harvard Medical School does not have a set acceptance rate for undergraduates. It is important to note, however, that applicants who majored in science are not given any preference over those who majored in other disciplines. In general, HMS believes that students can succeed in medical school regardless of their undergraduate major if they have had adequate science preparation. As a result, students are encouraged to pursue a balanced, liberal education rather than specialized training.
Furthermore, Harvard Medical School seeks applicants with diverse interests and abilities, regardless of their undergraduate institution. Ivy League applicants, on the other hand, do not have an admissions advantage. As a result, students should enroll in an undergraduate college that will both academically and personally challenge them.
What Is the Acceptance Rate of Harvard Medical School Graduates?
Over 600 applications are received each year for the Harvard Medical School MD-PhD Program. Interview candidates are chosen primarily on the basis of a thorough examination of the application and supporting documents. In addition, strong research and a strong academic background are required for selection. Unfortunately, some applicants may be invited to interview for medical school but not for the MD-PhD Program. Because admission to the MD-PhD Program is extremely competitive, approximately 65-75 applicants are eventually invited for interviews.
The majority of those chosen for interviews have high MCAT scores and strong letters of recommendation. The school admits an average of 12-14 students per year for full funding by the National Institutes of Health’s Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) Grant after conducting the interview. We can deduce from the above that the acceptance rate for Havard Medical School graduates is 2%. That is, only about 12 applicants out of 600 are accepted into the school.
The Havard Medical School Graduate interview rate, on the other hand, is 10-12.5 percent. That is, only about 65-75 applicants out of 600 are invited for an interview. You can also apply for the Harvard University Academy Scholars Programme for International Ph.D. Students as a graduate student.
What Is the Acceptance Rate for Harvard Medical School Interviews?
An applicant must receive an invitation to the interview test before being accepted into HMS. During the interview, the admissions panel learns more about the applicant in order to decide whether or not to accept him or her. Harvard Medical School, like other prestigious institutions, is one of the most selective medical schools. The rate at which it selects students for interviews from a sea of overqualified applicants demonstrates this. For example, there were 6185 applications for the Class of 2023.
Of those who applied, 948 were chosen for interviews (15.3 percent interview rate), and 165 were accepted. According to the source above, the Harvard Medical School interview rate is 15.3 percent.
What Should I Do To Get Ready For My Harvard Medical School Interview?
While applying for or preparing for the Harvard Medical School Interview, keep the following interesting facts about Harvard students in mind:
- Students at Harvard have a high GPA and MCAT score.
- The majority of Harvard students have impressive research resumes.
- They usually have a track record of success as a leader.
- Close relationships with well-known physicians and/or professors are common among Harvard students.
- Students at Harvard are excellent communicators.
- Experiential Learning
Despite the fact that it is not a requirement for admission, most Harvard students have a high GPA and MCAT score. A high GPA and MCAT score, on the other hand, will not help you stand out from the crowd. GPA and MCAT scores aren’t used to determine who gets into Harvard. Instead, GPA and MCAT scores are used to determine whether or not an application is considered. The emphasis here is impressive. The fact that you conduct research does not imply that you will have a better chance of being admitted.
The majority of qualified undergraduate pre-med students now work as part of a research team. However, in order to remain competitive for a position at Harvard, a student researcher must do something unique. For example, most Harvard medical students have been published as authors in peer-reviewed journals or have participated in a particularly innovative project during their undergraduate years.
What Are the Criteria for Admission to Harvard Medical School?
Because Harvard Medical School is known for being extremely selective with its students, it’s a good idea for you to familiarize yourself with their selection criteria as an applicant. First and foremost, HMS is looking for students with integrity and maturity who are concerned about others, have leadership potential, and can work well with others. In addition, the Committee on Admissions considers a variety of factors when evaluating applications, including the following:
- Academic records
- Applicant essay(s)
- MCAT scores
- Letters of evaluation
- Extracurricular activities
- Summer occupations
- Life experiences
- Experience in the health field, as well as, research or community work.
It’s also worth noting that the Committee on Admissions approaches application review holistically. As a result, they do not conduct pre-screening of applications. Applicants who submit an AMCAS application and designate Harvard Medical School will also receive a secondary application from the school. Furthermore, Harvard Medical School does not accept applications on a rolling basis.
That is, the order in which an application is submitted or completed has no bearing on the applicant’s chances of receiving an interview invitation. Applicants will be given full consideration if all application materials are received before the final deadline.
What Are the Harvard Medical School Admissions Requirements?
In general, the HMS Faculty of Medicine accepts applications from current students in good standing as well as graduates of accredited colleges who meet the following criteria:
- Demonstrate that their intellectual and personal qualifications are of such high quality that they can be expected to succeed in the study and practice of medicine.
- During their undergraduate years, demonstrate aptitude in biological and physical sciences, but not at the expense of the humanities and social sciences.
- If they completed academic work outside the United States or Canada, they supplemented their education with at least one year of college or university training in the United States or Canada. Foreign students who do not have a baccalaureate or advanced degree from the US or Canadian institution are rarely admitted.
- Demonstrate fluency and nuanced command of the English language, as effective communication among the medical care team and between physicians and patients, is critical to care delivery.
Prior to matriculation, students must have completed at least three years of college work and have earned a baccalaureate degree. Prior to matriculation, students must also complete all required prerequisite coursework.
- Biology
- Chemistry/Biochemistry
- Physics
- Math
- Writing
Who Is Ineligible to Attend Harvard Medical School?
- Students who have previously attended medical school are not eligible to apply for the first-year class.
- Students who have applied to HMS on two previous occasions are not eligible.
- In addition, transfer students are not accepted at HMS.
What is the procedure for applying to Harvard Medical School?
Eligible applicants must complete the following steps in order to be considered for admission to Harvard Medical School:
- Select an MD Track
- Fill out an application.
- Make your application on time.
Applicants to the HMS MD Program can choose from two curriculum tracks: Pathways and Health Science and Technology (HST). Applicants can apply to either the HST or the Pathways track, or both. Application to both tracks has no bearing on the likelihood of acceptance to either. Applicants may also declare candidacy for the MD-PhD combined degree’s Medical Scientist Training Program. Applicants, on the other hand, should familiarize themselves with the distinct features of each track before applying.
Health Sciences and Technology (HST)
HMS and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology collaborate to offer HST (MIT). It is targeted at students who have expressed an interest in a career in biomedical research or who have a strong interest in physical or molecular science and a strong background in those fields. Essentially, the HST curriculum is designed to emphasize a fundamental approach to important concepts in modern biology and biotechnology, as well as a basic and quantitative understanding of modern biomedical sciences and pathophysiologic processes. In addition, HST only accepts 30 students per year.
MD-PhD
Students who complete the MD-PhD combined degree program are prepared to become leading physician-scientists. The most qualified candidates have typically completed advanced coursework in science and mathematics, as well as extensive prior research experience. Academic performance is considered, as well as research experience, a personal statement, a description of research interests, and an applicant’s inherent passion and commitment to research. The American Medical College Application Service is used to apply to Harvard Medical School (AMCAS).
AMCAS applicants are eligible to submit the HMS Supplemental Application. Essentially, a $100 non-refundable application filing fee must be submitted with the completed supplemental application.
When Should You Apply To Harvard Medical School?
The timeliness of admission to Harvard Medical School is represented in the table below. It’s also worth noting that the school reserves the right to change these dates.
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 the AMCAS application |
October 22 | The final deadline for HMS secondary application and all materials (letters, MCAT scores, etc.) |
October 31 | AMCAS transcript deadline. All transcripts must be received before this date. |
December 1 | AMCAS verification deadline. You must become verified 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 applications as soon as 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. |
Mid-April | Revisit |
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. |
June 15 | 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 |
Conclusion
For many pre-med students, becoming a Harvard Medical School student is a dream come true. Harvard University’s acceptance rate, like that of every other top medical school in the world, is low because it only accepts the best of applicants. As a result, in order to be admitted to Harvard Medical School, you must meet Harvard’s requirements. To put it another way, you should set a high bar for yourself and do something that will set you apart from the crowd. I hope that the above information aids you in making your decision to attend Harvard Medical School.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, no publicly available information on the number of accepted students exists, so the exact acceptance rate is unknown. However, according to 2019 admission data, Harvard has a 3.3 percent acceptance rate.
In essence, a Harvard doctor is someone who makes excellence a way of life, both professionally and personally.
The Harvard Medical School interview rate is 15.3 percent, according to the class of 2023 report.
The acceptance rate for the underrepresented in medicine (African American, Native American, Hispanic, and Mexican American) is 39 percent, according to 2019 admission data (24 percent ).
Eligible applicants must complete the following steps in order to be considered for admission to Harvard Medical School:
Select an MD Track
Fill out an application.
Make your application on time.
You must have completed the following courses in order to be admitted to Harvard Medical School:
Biology
Chemistry/Biochemistry
Physics
Math
Writing
Students who are not eligible to apply to HMS include:
1. Students who have previously attended medical school are ineligible to apply for first-year admission.
2. Students who have applied for admission to HMS more than twice are not eligible.
3. Transfer students are not accepted at HMS.
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