2008-2009 Harvard Secondary Application Thread

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Also, is it standard for people to apply to both programs just to up their chances of getting into Harvard? I'm not particularly an appropriate candidate for HST, but I wasn't sure if it was common practice for everyone to just apply anyway.
 
in the LOR section they say:
Please indicate the format in which your recommendations will be submitted.

but there is nowhere to put that information... any ideas?
 
Hey everyone!

For the Letters of Recommendation Section, I'm checking the box for "Packet of individual letters will be sent directly from your school; no Premedical Committee Evaluation letter will be provided." Do you guys know if I'm still supposed to enter the names of the individual letter writers underneath? Or do I leave that part blank? I would call Harvard, but I don't want to wait until Monday. Thank you!

PS: ar2388, I think you're supposed to check one of the boxes to indicate the format of your LORs.
 
please.. does anyone know where i select which method my LOR's will be sent with? i dont see it anywhere? is there no box?
 
I didn't see anyone reply with this,

The HST MD program requires a separate essay response(item 8, I believe):

Instructions: Please give your reasons for your interest in this Program. Include areas of research interests. Please limit your comments to the equivalent of one page of single spaced text with a font size of 10 or 12.
 
What do I do if one of my recommendation letters are from the PI who oversaw my research? Do I have to go back to him, and tell him to write a separate evaluation letter?...
 
I personally know of someone who actually did not send in an LOR from every laboratory PI he worked with. He still was invited for an interview last year and they never brought it up. He was in fact admitted to their medical school too, but he decided to go to UCSF or UCLA - one of those two.
 
now that you say that im highly considering not getting one from one of my supervisors.......it just seems dumb to ask him JUST for this school alone
 
JoJo23497 said:
I personally know of someone who actually did not send in an LOR from every laboratory PI he worked with. He still was invited for an interview last year and they never brought it up. He was in fact admitted to their medical school too, but he decided to go to UCSF or UCLA - one of those two.
Click to expand...

I don't suppose you happen to know if he explained why he didn't send them all, either in an email or somewhere on the app? It sounds like he sent in at least one, dunno if that's a lot better than having worked in only one lab and not getting that one letter.
 
JoJo23497 said:
I personally know of someone who actually did not send in an LOR from every laboratory PI he worked with. He still was invited for an interview last year and they never brought it up. He was in fact admitted to their medical school too, but he decided to go to UCSF or UCLA - one of those two.
Click to expand...

I'm rather confused about their LOR requirements now-- They say on their website that a committee packet will cover all their LOR requirements. I've worked in 4 different labs, and I will have a letter from 1 of them in my packet (the others will be 2 science, 2 non-science, 1 volunteering, for a total of 6 already). It would probably delay my application significantly to try to get letters from the other 3 labs, especially since one of them will be out of the country until a month or so from now. Maybe I should just go ahead and apply with what I have?
 
i think I'm just going to apply with what I have, I'm only really missing one, and i don't think my app will get pitched bc of it
 
i emailed them and said that i cannot get letters from 2 of my 4 labs because the people i worked with have moved to either a diff instituation and i am no longer in touch or the others are in Japan and the Netherlands.
their response:
Thank you for your e-mail. I am sorry but I cannot say how the
Committee will view your application. You may certainly apply without
those letters. It is advisable, however, to obtain anything and everything specifically requested.

Jason Graff
on behalf of The Office of the Committee on Admissions
Harvard Medical School
25 Shattuck Street, Gordon Hall 306
Boston, MA 02115
phone: (617) 432-1550
fax: (617) 432-3307

e-mail: [email protected] (Admissions Office HMS)

I don't know guys.. i guess we shall see waht happens. i already submitted teh secondary anyway
 
The instructions say:

Deadline for supplemental applications November 1, 2008 11:59 p.m. EST. After November 1, incomplete applications are reviewed on the basis of the application materials available.

So, worst-case scenario, without a letter from EVERY PI we would be considered incomplete and (unlike other schools as far as I know) still get reviewed at the end. If acceptances aren't rolling, as they say, then that shouldn't matter.

I think it's annoying to ask for a letter from all of them in the first place. They're bound to sound somewhat similar and this isn't even for the research-oriented HST program. I think that, if anything, they should ask for at least one letter from a PI.
 
Whoa whoa... Harvard NP REQUIRES rec letters from every PI?! For New Pathways?!... bleh... I specifically didn't ask my PI for one because he's so busy. But I guess I have to now?

Or are you talking about HST/MSTP?

If I read correctly you are talking about NP... in which case this is a real problem for me...it's so late...

I might have to forget about harvard for this one stupid small reason... wow... I don't know if I can get a letter from him at this point.

Tell me I'm seeing things.
 
Has anyone received the completion e-mail?
 
sss403 said:
Has anyone received the completion e-mail?
Click to expand...

"Once all of your materials have been received and processed, HMS will send you an e-mail." is what they told me when I asked.
 
Does Harvard still require you to take Calc II to matriculate?
 
for the question that asks about employment...does it have to be paid employment? i did research for credit during the year...does that count?
 
Don't think so berk.
At least I've always put research for credit/volunteer down as a normal EC... not employment.
 
Same here. I only listed paid employment when secondaries asked about jobs.

It's weird, because I'm doing clinical research in 2 departments, one's paid and one's not. Even though I'm doing practically the same thing, one is a "job" and the other is an "extracurricular activity."
 
Legend
SS: Secondary Sent
C: Complete
II: Interview Invite
I: Interview

Shemarty: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
Vadd0: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
rplyler1: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
rowerlauren: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
serikk85: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
copingmethods: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
 
where do you pay the application fee? i tried it when i was submitting the secondary, but it didn't go through and i dont know how to try it again 🙁
 
Legend
SS: Secondary Sent
C: Complete
II: Interview Invite
I: Interview

Shemarty: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
Vadd0: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
rplyler1: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
rowerlauren: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
serikk85: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
copingmethods: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
ar2388: SS: 7/20, C: ?, II:?, I:?
 
"I don't suppose you happen to know if he explained why he didn't send them all, either in an email or somewhere on the app? It sounds like he sent in at least one, dunno if that's a lot better than having worked in only one lab and not getting that one letter."

To the best of my knowledge, he didn't even explain why he hadn't gotten LORs from all of his research PIs anywhere on the app. He did submit LORs from his other PIs however.

When I submit my secondary, I DO plan to include somewhere on the application explaining why I don't have one PI's LOR (explaining that this research experience was so long ago [in high school] that any LOR written by this PI could not accurately reflect my current reasons/passions for medicine as I have changed significantly since that experience - or something like that).
 
Legend
SS: Secondary Sent
C: Complete
II: Interview Invite
I: Interview

Shemarty: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
Vadd0: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
rplyler1: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
rowerlauren: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
serikk85: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
copingmethods: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
ar2388: SS: 7/20, C: ?, II:?, I:?
jgberken: SS: 7/28, C: ?, II:?, I:?
 
I just did something that was probably dumb, and I was wondering if anyone had any input. I clicked on the link in this thread to the secondary page and I tried to sign in. When it worked, I went ahead and completed it. It never showed an error message or anything. Do they screen before they send secondaries? Do you think they are going to take it against me?
Thanks!!
Also, just curious to see if anyone has any comments on my list of schools. I might be overreaching.
 
Devalmont said:
I just did something that was probably dumb, and I was wondering if anyone had any input. I clicked on the link in this thread to the secondary page and I tried to sign in. When it worked, I went ahead and completed it. It never showed an error message or anything. Do they screen before they send secondaries? Do you think they are going to take it against me?
Thanks!!
Also, just curious to see if anyone has any comments on my list of schools. I might be overreaching.
Click to expand...

they dont screen
 
Devalmont said:
I just did something that was probably dumb, and I was wondering if anyone had any input. I clicked on the link in this thread to the secondary page and I tried to sign in. When it worked, I went ahead and completed it. It never showed an error message or anything. Do they screen before they send secondaries? Do you think they are going to take it against me?
Thanks!!
Also, just curious to see if anyone has any comments on my list of schools. I might be overreaching.
Click to expand...

ure stats are great; i think ure school list is fine and u will def get in some where.... good luck!
 
Completion e-mail, anyone? 😴
 
Legend
SS: Secondary Sent
C: Complete
II: Interview Invite
I: Interview

Shemarty: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
Vadd0: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
rplyler1: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
rowerlauren: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
serikk85: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
copingmethods: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
ar2388: SS: 7/20, C: ?, II:?, I:?
jgberken: SS: 7/28, C: ?, II:?, I:?
slipstream99: SS: 8/8, C:?, II:? I:?
 
Legend
SS: Secondary Sent
C: Complete
II: Interview Invite
I: Interview

Shemarty: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
Vadd0: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
rplyler1: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
rowerlauren: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
serikk85: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
copingmethods: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
ar2388: SS: 7/20, C: ?, II:?, I:?
jgberken: SS: 7/28, C: ?, II:?, I:?
slipstream99: SS: 8/8, C:?, II:? I:?
JoJo23497: SS: 8/8, C:?, II:? I: ?
 
Is anyone else interested in their MD/MPH program? I am, and when I moved to check the box on the secondary, it said that I wouldn't even be able to apply until I was already enrolled as a med student there.

So to save myself time (by not having to write the Joint Degree essay they require if you check one of those boxes), I checked "no" when they asked if I was concurrently applying to any of their Joint degree programs (because I'm really not right now). But I do plan on applying to their MD/MPH program later at some point.

Did I make the right move? Or should I have checked that box and written the essay?

Thoughts?
 
Hoya05 said:
You are allowed up to six (6) letters of recommendation in support of your application. When considering the total number of letters to submit, please note the following:

  1. At least (2) letters should be from professors in the sciences with whom you have taken classes.

    At least one (1) letter should be written by a professor who is not in the sciences.
Click to expand...


so this is the boat i am in.

i worked in two research labs...for academic credit (honors independent study).
one was a physiology lab, and considered a "science course."
one was a psychophysiology lab and can be considered either a "non science" or "science" since i got 1 semester credit from the psych dept. and 1 semester from the physio. dept.
is it weird that im using my research advisors as also my nonscience and science letters of rec.
for the psychophysiology lab i worked in, i actually had a psychology class with the supervisor so i've had him both in a class and in a research lab setting.
but for the physiology lab, ive only had him in a lab, but it was considered a "science class" since i took it for indepedent study.
i know, this might be getting convoluted.
does anyone think its a bad idea to use one letter to satisfy both the research supervisor and science class requirement?
or does no one understand what im trying to get at?
 
JoJo23497 said:
Is anyone else interested in their MD/MPH program? I am, and when I moved to check the box on the secondary, it said that I wouldn't even be able to apply until I was already enrolled as a med student there.

So to save myself time (by not having to write the Joint Degree essay they require if you check one of those boxes), I checked "no" when they asked if I was concurrently applying to any of their Joint degree programs (because I'm really not right now). But I do plan on applying to their MD/MPH program later at some point.

Did I make the right move? Or should I have checked that box and written the essay?

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

i did the exact same thing as you. i think its the right move. 🙂

also, has anyone heard ANYTHING from harvard since submitting their secondary?
 
ar2388 said:
also, has anyone heard ANYTHING from harvard since submitting their secondary?
Click to expand...

Nope! From the above post, it sounds like it might be a while. Well, the end of this month, but that's a long time for me! 😳
 
ar2388 said:
i did the exact same thing as you. i think its the right move. 🙂

also, has anyone heard ANYTHING from harvard since submitting their secondary?
Click to expand...

Good to know that I'm not alone. I e-mailed Harvard's Adcomm about it just in case (as a hypothetical question, even though I already submitted their secondary, heh heh). I'll keep you and everyone posted on what they say.

Cheers!
 
ar2388 said:
also, has anyone heard ANYTHING from harvard since submitting their secondary?
Click to expand...

The website says they won't be reviewing them until September.

Just submitted mine.

Legend
SS: Secondary Sent
C: Complete
II: Interview Invite
I: Interview

Shemarty: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
Vadd0: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
rplyler1: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
rowerlauren: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
serikk85: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
copingmethods: SS: 7/18, C: ?, II:?, I:?
ar2388: SS: 7/20, C: ?, II:?, I:?
jgberken: SS: 7/28, C: ?, II:?, I:?
slipstream99: SS: 8/8, C:?, II:? I:?
JoJo23497: SS: 8/8, C:?, II:? I: ?
Calf: SS: 8/10, C:?, II:? I: ?
 
september? really? damn ivies. same with columbia i assume and cornell too im sure. im sure they like torturing us like this, you know the ones who submitted way early and now have to sit and wait and think
 
ar2388 said:
september? really? damn ivies. same with columbia i assume and cornell too im sure. im sure they like torturing us like this, you know the ones who submitted way early and now have to sit and wait and think
Click to expand...

Well, I think they review them in order of completion, so we're still at the top of the pile, whenever they get around to it... 🙂
 
JoJo23497 said:
Is anyone else interested in their MD/MPH program? I am, and when I moved to check the box on the secondary, it said that I wouldn't even be able to apply until I was already enrolled as a med student there.

So to save myself time (by not having to write the Joint Degree essay they require if you check one of those boxes), I checked "no" when they asked if I was concurrently applying to any of their Joint degree programs (because I'm really not right now). But I do plan on applying to their MD/MPH program later at some point.

Did I make the right move? Or should I have checked that box and written the essay?

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Thank you for your e-mail. You need not do that essay at this time.
​
______________________________________________________
Jason Graff
on behalf of The Office of the Committee on Admissions
Harvard Medical School
25 Shattuck Street, Gordon Hall 306
Boston, MA 02115
phone: (617) 432-1550
fax: (617) 432-3307
e-mail: [email protected] (Admissions Office HMS)
______________________________________________________


Looks like we made the right move.

Cheers!
 
For the LOE requirement, it says they require "a letter of evaluation from the supervisor of each research laboratory experience." Does anyone know if this means specifically wet lab experience or research experience in general?
 
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