2012-2013 Harvard Medical School Application Thread

[PreMedOrDead]

My AMCAS primary application was verified/processed as of August 17th. However, It is now August 27th and I still have not gotten a secondary invitation from Harvard. How soon do they send out invitations, a.k.a. how soon should I be worried that something is wrong?
All of my other schools (Yale, Columbia, BU, Tufts, UPenn etc.) have sent me secondary invitations already.

Note:
I read on their website that Harvard sends out secondary invitations to all applicants who have verified AMCAS applications. I don't think this is because my MCAT scores have not yet arrived (they arrive tomorrow in fact)

Thank you!

Harvard sends its secondary out in batches. You will have to wait for your 'batch.' You could call, if you're so inclined.

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[papiwapi]

Looks like they're sending secondary invites out again. Received one a few hours ago.

 

[Ellie Arroway]

Secondary!

For the question on what you've done since graduation, how do post-baccs answer that? I have been in school for a few years and I am about to get a second bachelors. Do I explain the three years between my first graduation and my decision to pursue medicine? Because I feel like i did that in my PS.

 

[Syfte3]

Anyone having trouble with the payment? I put in all the information but it just sends me back to the application without processing the transaction. I've tried it on 3 different browsers and nothing.

 

[Ellie Arroway]

The payment worked ok for me.

I ended up leaving both essays blank because I think I give both topics a pretty thorough exploration in my primary app.

 

[alisvolatpropri]

A bit of sidetrack, but reading some old threads (from 2005), there is a backdoor to an MD from the MEMP program (obviously in addition to the PhD), so I think all those programs under the HST umbrella can end up mixing if the student really wants to get their hands on more than just their own field after starting.

The back door is closed, my friend. Everyone applies the good ol fashion AMCAS 'front door' route now.


I submitted app early August, got secondary in two weeks before verification.

 

[Silverwing]

Thanks Silverwing!!! Also I already read this whole thread, and saw what was written about this topic, but there was not a conclusion...

How strict is Harvard with the letters from research supervisors? And what do they consider legitimate research experience??

No problem!

Technically, you're supposed to submit a letter from every research PI you've had. If you put it in your application somewhere, they probably expect it.

And aps91, I haven't heard of a pre-interview rejection. Someone I know just didn't hear at all until rejections came out together in March.

 

[forthewin]

Anyone having trouble with the payment? I put in all the information but it just sends me back to the application without processing the transaction. I've tried it on 3 different browsers and nothing.

I'm having the same problem..

 

[Syfte3]

I'm having the same problem..

I was able to pay with a different type of card (visa). I was trying to pay with discover before when it wasn't working, maybe that's the problem?

 

[wheewer]

For non-rolling schools (like Columbia, Harvard, Penn, Cornell, Yale, Duke), does it matter when you submit your secondary at all? Don't they offer interviews only after all applications are in at the secondary deadline in November? I'm confused, what's the hype behind applying as early as possible for these places? Thanks

 

[Irish Football]

Harvard is rolling?

 

[DokDakotaDok]

No.

Harvard gives acceptances March 3rd.

 

[yellowfish]

For rolling schools (like Columbia, Harvard, Penn, Cornell, Yale, Duke), does it matter when you submit your secondary at all? Don't they offer interviews only after all applications are in at the secondary deadline in November? I'm confused, what's the hype behind applying as early as possible for these places? Thanks

These schools are non-rolling (I think you just had a typo). The advantage is that if you apply earlier there will be more interview slots available when they review your application. Applying early doesn't give you much of a boost after the interview stage.

 

[Appletini10]

My apologies if this is gloating, but I'm so gosh-darned excited to have gotten an (unexpected) interview invite for the New Pathway Program! I'm thrilled to be able to carry this dream a little bit further. Best of luck to everyone regarding getting and then rocking an interview!

 

[DRJHU10]

My apologies if this is gloating, but I'm so gosh-darned excited to have gotten an (unexpected) interview invite for the New Pathway Program! I'm thrilled to be able to carry this dream a little bit further. Best of luck to everyone regarding getting and then rocking an interview!

Congrats!

When were you complete?

 

[Appletini10]

Congrats!

When were you complete?

Thanks! I was complete on August 1.

 

[bearintraining]

Thanks! I was complete on August 1.

Stats?

 

[Silverwing]

My apologies if this is gloating, but I'm so gosh-darned excited to have gotten an (unexpected) interview invite for the New Pathway Program! I'm thrilled to be able to carry this dream a little bit further. Best of luck to everyone regarding getting and then rocking an interview!

Congratulations!! Remember: just be yourself and smile 🙂

 

[skta12]

Hi. I believe that every medical schools will declare that they have no bias towards or against any majors taken. However, the statistics may shows that more students in certain majors actually got into the course. Will certain universities really have more preference towards certain majors, like Public Health? Says, for Harvard Medical School and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine?
Doing double majors help? I mean still the top GPA.
Thank you.

 

[yellowfish]

Hi. I believe that every medical schools will declare that they have no bias towards or against any majors taken. However, the statistics may shows that more students in certain majors actually got into the course. Will certain universities really have more preference towards certain majors, like Public Health? Says, for Harvard Medical School and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine?
Doing double majors help? I mean still the top GPA.
Thank you.

No, really they don't have a preference.

That being said, you should still be able to use your major constructively and be able to talk about it in relation to your passion for medicine. Some do this better than others.

The difference that you see is more than likely due to self-selection of students choosing majors. For whatever reason, students that major in X tend to be more successful in getting into medical school... perhaps they're more likely to engage in extracurriculars, or they generally do better in their major courses... or they're more able to talk about their majors passionately and in relation to medicine... or they simply interview better -- just to give you some examples.

 

[Geebeejay]

No, really they don't have a preference.

That being said, you should still be able to use your major constructively and be able to talk about it in relation to your passion for medicine. Some do this better than others.

The difference that you see is more than likely due to self-selection of students choosing majors. For whatever reason, students that major in X tend to be more successful in getting into medical school... perhaps they're more likely to engage in extracurriculars, or they generally do better in their major courses... or they're more able to talk about their majors passionately and in relation to medicine... or they simply interview better -- just to give you some examples.

What about in regards to many majors being much more difficult than others. I.E. An Electrical Engineer vs. a Journalism Major. Obviously neither major is easy, but an EE degree is extremely difficult.

 

[yellowfish]

What about in regards to many majors being much more difficult than others. I.E. An Electrical Engineer vs. a Journalism Major. Obviously neither major is easy, but an EE degree is extremely difficult.

They wouldn't intrinsically prefer the EE over the journalism major. They want to see that applicants are successful in whatever they choose to study. Different people are good at different things too, so it's also more fuzzy than simply saying "EE is harder than journalism."

 

[Quicksilver005]

Personally, I think dual majors hurt more than help. No one cares about it and you are just making your life harder than it needs to be.

I double majored (sci + nonsci) and I can say without a doubt it was a mistake. I should have dropped one.

 

[Muhlgrad11]

Personally, I think dual majors hurt more than help. No one cares about it and you are just making your life harder than it needs to be.

I double majored (sci + nonsci) and I can say without a doubt it was a mistake. I should have dropped one.

Definitely disagree. I also majored in a science and non-science and I thing that not only did I enjoy the coursework I was doing (I think the most important reason to double major - if you enjoy it) but I also learned a completely different perspective and way of thinking that I would not have gotten if I was only a science major.

 

[Quicksilver005]

Definitely disagree. I also majored in a science and non-science and I thing that not only did I enjoy the coursework I was doing (I think the most important reason to double major - if you enjoy it) but I also learned a completely different perspective and way of thinking that I would not have gotten if I was only a science major.

I disagree. 2 majors don't help you. You are just making life more difficult then it has to be.

If I could do it all over again, I would have dropped the sciences in a heart beat. Just to be clear, I do agree with non science degree brings something to to table. How much does it bring...that is the real question. I can think of some non science degrees that wouldn't really wouldn't add much. I won't mention them because some SDN'ers may be majoring in those fields, but I am sure you could easily think of some.

 

[moneytree]

I disagree. 2 majors don't help you. You are just making life more difficult then it has to be.

If I could do it all over again, I would have dropped the sciences in a heart beat. Just to be clear, I do agree with non science degree brings something to to table. How much does it bring...that is the real question. I can think of some non science degrees that wouldn't really wouldn't add much. I won't mention them because some SDN'ers may be majoring in those fields, but I am sure you could easily think of some.

WOMEN'S STUDIES. Don't be afraid bro.

 

[Quicksilver005]

WOMEN'S STUDIES. Don't be afraid bro.

I completely forgot about that major. But there are even more useless majors out there that come to mind.

 

[imcconn]

Interview invite to regular MD program! 3.75/38R. Complete 8/2. Post-bac applicant. Good luck to everyone else!

 

[nickster67]

Is the non-science LOR mandatory? Or I can use 3 science LORs and explain why I don't have the non-science?

 

[MidwestHopeful]

WOMEN'S STUDIES. Don't be afraid bro.

There's no reason to be an misogynistic a**hole. I hope someone as close-minded and unwelcoming of other academic interests is unwelcome at an institution like Harvard.

 

[Geebeejay]

There's no reason to be an misogynistic a**hole. I hope someone as close-minded and unwelcoming of other academic interests is unwelcome at an institution like Harvard.

Right, but if he had said "Men's Studies" he'd be totally spot on about that being a crap major.

 

[FalconSlice]

right, but if he had said "men's studies" he'd be totally spot on about that being a crap major.

hahaha

 

[MidwestHopeful]

Right, but if he had said "Men's Studies" he'd be totally spot on about that being a crap major.

No, he wouldn't be "spot on."

I am not going to comment on this topic anymore because it is no longer relevant to the HMS secondary application.

 

[Samih]

Got an II for the New Pathway Program yesterday ! Holy ****! I was complete July 23 (I was sent the secondary a day earlier). Stats (for anyone interested): 4.00s, 4.00c, 38S and a lot of ECs. I come from a small Pittsburgh school so I do not know how that compares to harder schools in terms of GPA. Also, I am an F-1 visa student. (came from Colombia to college).

Is there any cheap hotels/inns around the Boston area that any of you can recommend? I have never been to Boston so I have no idea where to start looking. Also, is the transportation system reliable?

Good luck to everyone else!

 

[sscjlfc12]

Interview Invite this afternoon!! Totally unexpected! Wow!! Looks like the only available dates so far are in September--guess I'll be paying a ton for my flight. Oh well, it's Harvard!

Complete Aug 1. Stats: 4.00s/4.00c 35Q.

 

[Tots]

NP Interview Invite! complete 7/30! /faint

 

[moneytree]

II. HOLLA! I must be dreaming.

 

[Soapybubbles]

Interview invite. Complete 7/23, so excited. Any other canadians coming to boston on 9/27?

 

[elevenses]

Interview invitation! Complete 7/26. So excited. I'll be there 9/24.

 

[elevenses]

P.S. Congrats to everybody on the invitations!

 

[k09dr02]

Be there 9/25. 3.7 32Q. So stats aren't everything I guess lol. Thank god

 

[sscjlfc12]

Will anyone be there 9/21?

 

[erraticpattern]

I disagree. 2 majors don't help you. You are just making life more difficult then it has to be.

I disagree. 2 majors can help you. You are making life more difficult than it needs to be, but you also gain the opportunity to demonstrate an usual work ethic and diversity of interest that make you positively stand out as an applicant.

WOMEN'S STUDIES. Don't be afraid bro.

lawlz

 

[Luckystrike13]

Is anyone having difficulty logging into the secondary application page? I haven't been able to log in the past few days and I was hoping to submit it soon.

 

[mfm90]

I've been able to log in fine. Try deleting your cookies.. that has worked for me on other sites

 

[williamiv4]

Does harvard tend to do most of their invites at just the beginning of the month?

 

[xdajbq]

[edited]

 

[shadeofgreen]

Got an II for the New Pathway Program yesterday ! Holy ****! I was complete July 23 (I was sent the secondary a day earlier). Stats (for anyone interested): 4.00s, 4.00c, 38S and a lot of ECs. I come from a small Pittsburgh school so I do not know how that compares to harder schools in terms of GPA. Also, I am an F-1 visa student. (came from Colombia to college).

Is there any cheap hotels/inns around the Boston area that any of you can recommend? I have never been to Boston so I have no idea where to start looking. Also, is the transportation system reliable?

Good luck to everyone else!

Transportation is excellent, you can take the train right to the school.

You will receive a student host file shortly and you can contact students.

 

[med17]

Normally they say for the "additional information" questions you should always write something. However, for Harvard's prompt it seems like they really only want the legit things.. Are you guys still sticking another essay in there regardless?

 

[Luckystrike13]

Normally they say for the "additional information" questions you should always write something. However, for Harvard's prompt it seems like they really only want the legit things.. Are you guys still sticking another essay in there regardless?

I did submit an essay for this one. Hard to tell, but if you have information that you want to convey to them that is not conveyed elsewhere (diversity/why Harvard essay/etc.), then it doesn't seem like it would hurt to put that. Perhaps others can weigh in on how they took this prompt?