2013-2014 Harvard Application Thread

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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Hey all! I'm interviewing here soon and I was wondering if anyone who has already interviewed could possibly comment on the interview day? Feel free to PM me! Also, does it actually last till 6pm!!?
 
Anthrax said:
Hey guys,

I am finally getting time to work on the Harvard Secondary after Canadian apps are done.

I wanted to ask what the difference is between the HST and New Pathway tracks? I just want to apply to regular M.D. track but apart from that the application asks to choose between HST and New Pathway. Is one more difficult than the other or more competitive?

Any insight will be appreciated.

Thank you.
Click to expand...

New Pathway is sort of the "standard" MD curriculum whereas HST is a quantitative curriculum that is a joint program between Harvard and MIT, but it is also a MD degree track. HST has ~30 students whereas New Pathway has ~135 each year. Many HST students are also MD/PhD. In terms of your application, HST emphasizes higher-level science courses more as well as research experience. You can find more info online about HST, here's a link: http://hst.mit.edu/academics/md/admissions/faq
 
kyamh said:
I wrote my response in the form of a full coherent essay where I brought up my post-graduation activities and described them as I thought necessary. For example, shadowing only needed a couple sentences to list and describe what I got out of it while a publication got a paragraph about the experience.
Click to expand...

Thank you!

Btw, LOVE your display pic! Red's one of my fave characters too! 😀
 
TheKDizzle said:
New Pathway is sort of the "standard" MD curriculum whereas HST is a quantitative curriculum that is a joint program between Harvard and MIT, but it is also a MD degree track. HST has ~30 students whereas New Pathway has ~135 each year. Many HST students are also MD/PhD. In terms of your application, HST emphasizes higher-level science courses more as well as research experience. You can find more info online about HST, here's a link: http://hst.mit.edu/academics/md/admissions/faq
Click to expand...

Ahhh makes sense now. Will take a look at the link. Thanks a lot! 🙂
 
bazinga14 said:
Hey all! I'm interviewing here soon and I was wondering if anyone who has already interviewed could possibly comment on the interview day? Feel free to PM me! Also, does it actually last till 6pm!!?
Click to expand...

Interview day was interesting. Lots of unstructured time in between activities. In other schools, every second seemed scheduled for something, but not at Harvard. My interviewers were awesome. I had one student and one faculty member, but some had both faculty. Overall, I left being impressed!
 
hopefulMD12 said:
Interview day was interesting. Lots of unstructured time in between activities. In other schools, every second seemed scheduled for something, but not at Harvard. My interviewers were awesome. I had one student and one faculty member, but some had both faculty. Overall, I left being impressed!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response, I hope it went well for you 🙂
 
TheKDizzle said:
New Pathway is sort of the "standard" MD curriculum whereas HST is a quantitative curriculum that is a joint program between Harvard and MIT, but it is also a MD degree track. HST has ~30 students whereas New Pathway has ~135 each year. Many HST students are also MD/PhD. In terms of your application, HST emphasizes higher-level science courses more as well as research experience. You can find more info online about HST, here's a link: http://hst.mit.edu/academics/md/admissions/faq
Click to expand...

AND don't forget that those HST folks have required class like 40 hours a week. Yay, New Pathway!
 
II! Extremely surprised as an international student! And happy!!! Only interview dates available though are in two weeks - I'm really scared to have HMS as my first interview! Or maybe beginners luck will work in my favor??
 
LaAbejaMaya said:
II! Extremely surprised as an international student! And happy!!! Only interview dates available though are in two weeks - I'm really scared to have HMS as my first interview! Or maybe beginners luck will work in my favor??
Click to expand...


Congrats!! Just got an II here as well...I was eating my lunch and nearly choked when I saw the email :laugh:

Haven't chosen a date yet but it seems like there are still a few available in late october...I'll be there Nov 4th! And don't worry, as of right now, it will be my first interview (third II) as well!!
 
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asebasp said:
Congrats!! Just got an II here as well...I was eating my lunch and nearly choked when I saw the email :laugh:

Haven't chosen a date yet but it seems like there are still a few available in late october...I'll be there Nov 4th!
Click to expand...

when were you two complete?
 
II! I am crying, this makes no sense but I am so happy

Took the Saturday November 2nd date!
 
Please tell me Harvard doesn't process apps chronologically. Complete since 8/22 but haven't heard anything. I know people complete after me had gotten II's. Does this mean I'm basically rejected 🙁
 
MsTeacup said:
Please tell me Harvard doesn't process apps chronologically. Complete since 8/22 but haven't heard anything. I know people complete after me had gotten II's. Does this mean I'm basically rejected 🙁
Click to expand...

That's completely normal. I can't tell you what it does mean, but I can tell you it doesn't mean you've been rejected.
 
Just out of curiosity, how many poeple actually answered the secondary question. I know it says that it may not apply to all applicants, and frankly although I had some financial factors affecting me I don't think I have enough to write about. How many didn't write anything there and still got an invite? Thanks in advance
 
MsTeacup said:
Please tell me Harvard doesn't process apps chronologically. Complete since 8/22 but haven't heard anything. I know people complete after me had gotten II's. Does this mean I'm basically rejected 🙁
Click to expand...

It means that your app has been reviewed and passed over as of right now. Holding onto optimism will only make the inevitable rejection more heartbreaking.
 
cookiemonsters said:
It means that your app has been reviewed and passed over as of right now. Holding onto optimism will only make the inevitable rejection more heartbreaking.
Click to expand...

<<< Complete in July, so, yes probably I've been passed over too. That being said, I've seen MDApps of people complete in July who got II's up to January of the next year. So rejection is hardly "inevitable." Perhaps more probable, but hardly inevitable.
 
cookiemonsters said:
It means that your app has been reviewed and passed over as of right now. Holding onto optimism will only make the inevitable rejection more heartbreaking.
Click to expand...

Don't listen to this. The poster has a questionable (at best) posting record. Anyways, rejection is always a possibility with medical schools - one should simply hope for the best but also be prepared for the worst.
 
TheKDizzle said:
Don't listen to this. The poster has a questionable (at best) posting record. Anyways, rejection is always a possibility with medical schools - one should simply hope for the best but also be prepared for the worst.
Click to expand...

Thanks guys! I guess no news is good news in this situation. Harvard does send rejections though right? Instead of just putting us on hold.
 
Aria88997 said:
Just out of curiosity, how many poeple actually answered the secondary question. I know it says that it may not apply to all applicants, and frankly although I had some financial factors affecting me I don't think I have enough to write about. How many didn't write anything there and still got an invite? Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
I didn't answer it.
 
MsTeacup said:
Thanks guys! I guess no news is good news in this situation. Harvard does send rejections though right? Instead of just putting us on hold.
Click to expand...

I was under the impression that there were no rejections....just silence. But once they finish interview season in February/March, we can assume we've been rejected lol
 
MsTeacup said:
Thanks guys! I guess no news is good news in this situation. Harvard does send rejections though right? Instead of just putting us on hold.
Click to expand...
Acceptances/ rejections go out in March, so you won't know for sure until then. According to last year's thread, the last interview date was on 02/08. So basically, be ready for a looooooooooooooong stretch of silence lol. GL!
 
Aria88997 said:
Just out of curiosity, how many poeple actually answered the secondary question. I know it says that it may not apply to all applicants, and frankly although I had some financial factors affecting me I don't think I have enough to write about. How many didn't write anything there and still got an invite? Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

I didn't answer it either
 
Seifu2011 said:
Acceptances/ rejections go out in March, so you won't know for sure until then. According to last year's thread, the last interview date was on 02/08. So basically, be ready for a looooooooooooooong stretch of silence lol. GL!
Click to expand...

this is absolutely the worst. even if they can't take everyone, at least show the rest of us some sympathy. ugh
 
MsTeacup said:
this is absolutely the worst. even if they can't take everyone, at least show the rest of us some sympathy. ugh
Click to expand...

Gotta be consistent if you're gonna do non-rolling admissions. They want to make sure they don't miss out on anyone.
 
Has anyone sent in post-interview updates? Should I email it to the admissions coordinator email?
 
Practically in disbelief...and there may or may not have been tears...😉

II today, Harvard NP program.

Completed in mid-August, 4.0, 31, OOS, (Kentucky)

Good luck to everyone!
 
Penguino92 said:
Practically in disbelief...and there may or may not have been tears...😉

II today, Harvard NP program.

Completed in mid-August, 4.0, 31, OOS, (Kentucky)

Good luck to everyone!
Click to expand...

:clap:
 
TheKDizzle said:
New Pathway is sort of the "standard" MD curriculum whereas HST is a quantitative curriculum that is a joint program between Harvard and MIT, but it is also a MD degree track. HST has ~30 students whereas New Pathway has ~135 each year. Many HST students are also MD/PhD. In terms of your application, HST emphasizes higher-level science courses more as well as research experience. You can find more info online about HST, here's a link: http://hst.mit.edu/academics/md/admissions/faq
Click to expand...
Do you think being a Physics major for HST would give you extra points, so to speak?
 
Penguino92 said:
Practically in disbelief...and there may or may not have been tears...

II today, Harvard NP program.

Completed in mid-August, 4.0, 31, OOS, (Kentucky)

Good luck to everyone!
Click to expand...

Congrats! did you receive an email or was it via their website?
 
Hey! Thanks!

It was through email!

Date set in mid December!
 
Ansar said:
Do you think being a Physics major for HST would give you extra points, so to speak?
Click to expand...

Your major isn't what matters, it's more that you've shown you can perform well in upper div science classes. Being a successful physics major probably means that you've demonstrated this in at least one way, but there are many other routes you can take in which you don't have to major in physics or another hard science and still be on the same playing field.
 
Woot II today - NP. - submitted back in 7/30. 🙂 🙂 🙂 - was about to lose hope haha
 
Has anyone had success with in the area emails?

I have been complete since 9/25 and will be in the area soon for another Interview. Thanks
 
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II yesterday!!!! It left me breathless. What a grand opportunity!

Complete 6th Sep.
 
asebasp said:
Congrats!! Just got an II here as well...I was eating my lunch and nearly choked when I saw the email :laugh:

Haven't chosen a date yet but it seems like there are still a few available in late october...I'll be there Nov 4th! And don't worry, as of right now, it will be my first interview (third II) as well!!
Click to expand...

Congrats to you! Yeah I pretty much jumped up and down like a crazy person in the middle of the office 🙂
 
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