Are you one of the intended Harvard Medical Students who want to study medicine at the school but don’t know what the acceptance rate is?
Do you want to know what it’s like to get into Havard med school? Are you confused at what the exact SAT, ACT and MCAT scores you need to become Harvard medical students?
Do you want to know what the odds are of getting into med school? Are you searching for the right requirements and documents to get into Harvard Med school?
I’m sure you must have heard that Harvard University is an Ivy League School and the same applies to its med school.
Just in case you do not understand what that means, it simply states that Harvard is an elite university. And because it’s an elite institution, it attracts a lot of students making the competition very high.
One of the questions almost every Harvard wannabes ask is “what does it really take to get admitted into the prestigious Harvard medical school?”
I’m sure you are asking that same question!!! Don’t be like those students who gear off just because they say Harvard’s medical school acceptance rate is low.
In this article, we have started to give you all the things you need to prepare and get to study medicine at Harvard.
Because we want you to become one of the Harvard Medical Students, we have highlighted all you need to know to get into the school including the required MCAT, SAT and ACT scores. If that’s what you intend to find out, Sit tight and get informed!!!
Overview of Harvard Medical School
Havard medical school.was established in 1782. It can be referred to as one of the oldest medical schools in the world.
Since its establishment, this med school has had a long-standing history of excellence as well as a track record of being at the forefront of medical discoveries and innovation.
Why Do I Need to Study At Harvard Medical School (HMS)?
Harvard University in itself is the most well-known university in the USA and the world at large. Its medical school also is no exception.
Having Havard attached to your degree is a great feat. Imagine answering a Harvard Medical Doctor. That attachment alone commands respect not to talk about the free pass it gets you when it comes to job opportunities.
These alone are enough reasons to want to study at Harvard medical school. Also, Harvard med school curriculum is very flexible. This allows students to pursue their academics as well as other interests.
Generally, attending Harvard med. school is a surety to be prepared to take a leading role in medicine.
What Is the Acceptance Rate at Harvard Medical School?
Being one of the best medical colleges is not a feat attended overnight. And as such, Harvard Med School received tons of admission applications each year.
Who wouldn’t want to attend Harvard Medical School? However, getting into the Harvard space is very competitive.
And also, because they accept just the best, only a few out of the multiple applications get selected. Although there is no available data stating what the Harvard medical school acceptance rate is, what we do know is that the chances of getting into this school are slim.
Judging from the 2019 HMS data, the school accepted just 227 students out of 6815 applications. This unarguably states that the acceptance rate at Harvard Medical School in 2019 is 3.3%.
However, the HMS class of 2024 statistics show that only 165 students got admitted out of 6815 applicants. Now, this leaves the Harvard acceptance rate to be at 2.39%. What this generally insinuates is that the acceptance rate of Harvard Medical School is below 5%.
Also Read: Free Online Courses at Harvard University with Certificate
What Are the Requirements to Get Into Harvard Med School?
You need two things to get into Harvard Med School: coursework and extracurricular activities.
#1. Course work.
You need to have completed the following courses to make it into Harvard Med school;
- Math
- Writing
- Biology
- Chemistry
#2. Extracurricular Activities.
For you to be considered by Harvard, you need to have exceptional off-classroom activities. If you’re purely a classroom personality, you may not have a spot at Harvard.
Basically, they will look out for;
- Patience exposure.
- Community service.
- Research experiences.
You just have to be a little extra than other applicants.
Besides these two requirements, you need other documents to get to study medicine in Harvard. Such documents include;
#3. Letters of Recommendation.
You will need like 6 Letters of recommendation when applying to Harvard Medical School. However, they have to come from different personalities. See details below;
- 2 letters from science professors (i.e., with whom you took classes for a letter grade).
- 1 letter from a non-science professor (i.e., with whom you took a graded class)
- A committee letter/packet from your school (if applicable).
#4. Written Essays.
You need to write essays covering different sections to apply through AMCAS to Harvard Med School.
This essay needs to cover the following written sections;
- Personal Statement: You’re expected to write a brief about your personal, academic, and extracurricular as well as your career path to medicine.
- Work and Activities section: Here you expatiate more on up to 15 extracurricular activities and awards you are involved in.
However, note that international students have slightly different requirements than the residents.
Harvard Medical School Requirements for International Students.
Applying to Harvard Medical School as an international student requires you to satisfy the following:
- You must be a resident at Harvard for the period from January 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022.
- Show proof of ownership for the intellectual and personal credentials you carry.
- Also, you must show aptitude in biological and physical sciences as well as humanities and social science in your undergraduate years.
- Aside from your international degree, you must supplement your education with at least 1 year of college or university training in either the United States or Canada.
- Lastly, proof of fluency in English is required.
Also Read: 15 Best Schools For Pre Med 2024
Things You Should Do Before Applying To Harvard Med School.
Everyone gets carried away with the euphoria of applying to Harvard Medical School that they forget some prerequisite steps before the application.
You do not need to get ahead to apply to Harvard. If you do that, you will be making a big mistake.
Prior to applying to study medicine in Harvard, all applicants will have to complete the medical school admissions test.
However long it takes, you must meet one of two test deadlines. The Harvard Medical School admissions test consists of 3 parts;
- The Clinical and Laboratory part includes 20 questions and 60-minute sections.
- The Medical-Surgical and Other Subject Areas portions include 20 questions and 45-minute sections.
Each test is 90 minutes long. It’s recommended you complete the test early. Usually, it’s from December 15 through March 15.
After 4 weeks, you will be notified of your test results. For more information on the medical school admissions test, contact the Admissions Office at admissions@med.harvard.edu.
How Do I Get Into Harvard Medical School?
First keep in mind that wanting to study medicine at Harvard Med School is a great feat. Howard, note that it can be rigorous getting in there.
Secondly, there is no one-size-fits-all guide to getting into Harvard Med School, however, you can get some really good expert tips that give you an edge over other applicants.
What are those?
#1. Have a high GPA and MCAT Score.
Sorry to burst your bubble but Harvard Med School is not one of those Medical Schools That Don’t Require an MCAT. You must have a high MCAT Score to get into Harvard.
A good GPA of 4.18 and an MCAT score of 35 is the minimum if you want to get into this Ivy League School. Grades higher than that are a greater advantage.
#2. You Must Have an Impressive Research Resume.
To get the attention of the Harvard Admission Committee you must have an outstanding research portfolio. Something out of the ordinary.
Chances are you will be applying alongside students who have published as authors in journals or some who are part of an innovative project.
You just have to be extra!!!
#3. Have a Notable Leadership Experience.
Because you’re a Harvard Med school graduate, you are likely to earn leadership roles upon graduation.
Thus, Harvard looks out for leadership qualities in their applicants.
#4. You Must Have A Mentor Especially A Well-known Physician And/or Professors.
Because medicine is a very critical course, Harvard expects you to have a mentor, especially well-known physicians and/or professors to guide you in this journey.
This they believe makes you accountable and gives you a better chance of success.
#5. You Must Be a Great Communicator.
Harvard is one of the Ivy League Schools. To fit in, you must be a great communicator.
Being intelligent is not enough. Having a high MCAT and GPA is not enough. You should know how to communicate efficiently.
How does Havard Medical School access that?
Through an interview. Hence, we recommend you take communication classes before your interview.
#6. Have a High SAT and ACT Score.
You will need a 1580 SAT or a 35 ACT Score to get into Harvard Med School.
As we always say, a high grade makes it easier for you to be considered by the Harvard admission committee.
Also Read: 15 Free Tuition Medical Schools that Charges No Tuition! 2024
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting into Harvard Medical School.
Is it Easy To Get Into Harvard Med School?
Well, I don’t mean to discourage you but getting to study medicine at Harvard is not easy. In fact, you will face one of the most rigorous procedures.
The reason is that Harvard’s admissions process is very competitive.
As we stated above, the Harvard Medical School Acceptance Rate is very low accounting for just 5% of admission.
Hope this gives you an idea of what you are up against.
Can I Get into Harvard with a 2.0 GPA?
Well, it will take a miracle for you to get into Harvard with a GPA of 2.0. Harvard Med School considers GPAs from 3.5.
What we are sure of is that a GPA of 2.0 gets you into a community college but for Public Ivy League Schools, that will be very Hard!!!
What’s the Lowest GPA Harvard Accepted?
A 3.5 GPA is the lowest GPA Harvard has accepted. However, don’t count on it this year.
You will need an average GPA of 4.18 to stand a better chance of getting to study medicine at Harvard.
Does Harvard Medical School give scholarships to international students?
Yes, there are scholarships offered by Harvard Medical School to her students. However, we do recommend you focus on other international scholarships.
How Hard Is It To Get Into Harvard As An International Student?
Just like it’s hard for a resident to get to study medicine at Harvard, it’s also pretty difficult for international students to do the same.
Harvard Med School gives no preference to some.
All you need is a high score in the standard tests such as SAT/ ACT, GPA and MCAT and you’re in. Regardless of your nationality!!!
Also Read: Medical Schools Admissions Requirements: All you need to get Admitted
Conclusion
Harvard medical students are highly sought after, the reason why many struggle to get into this elite Medical School.
Although there is no definite guide to studying medicine at Harvard, the steps we have provided above will give you an edge over other applicants.
Once you get in and become one of Harvard’s medical students, you will see from within how the world relates to Harvard graduates.
We hope this piece answers your question about getting to study medicine at Harvard.
Good luck!!!
