2015-2016 Harvard Medical School Application Thread

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how many of you all left all the optionals blank? I feel weird doing that. But I might.

I did. I was thinking about what I could have added to the "diversity" looking one but when they said "many applicants will leave this blank" then I felt less bad about leaving it blank.

Blank for me as well

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Hey folks, I realize that I sort of neglected to provide much info on HST or MD-PhD program (I'm not really familiar with HST or MD-PhD since I did not apply to these). I've gone back and added links to my initial post on the thread. Here are the links for all three programs. I'm sure that many of you already saw these, but hopefully these can answer some questions.

Pathways Curriculum

Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology (HST) MD Program

Harvard/M.I.T. MD PhD Program
More info on MD-PhD
 
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Hey folks, I realize that I sort of neglected to provide much info on HST or MD-PhD program. I've gone back and added links to my initial post on the thread. Here are the links for all three programs. I'm sure that many of you already saw these, but hopefully these can answer some questions.

Pathways Curriculum

Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology (HST) MD Program

Harvard/M.I.T. MD PhD Program

Hi Tupacca! Quick question. If I am an MD/PhD applicant, can I apply to either HST or Pathways? Or is HST the only one where you can complete a PhD (since 40% in this program apparently do complete the dual degree)?
 
Hi Tupacca! Quick question. If I am an MD/PhD applicant, can I apply to either HST or Pathways? Or is HST the only one where you can complete a PhD (since 40% in this program apparently do complete the dual degree)?
From what I understand, you can choose either one. I think HST folks are just more heavily represented in the MD PhD applicant pool due to interest level in research.

More info on MD-PhD
 
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From what I understand, you can choose either one. I think HST folks are just more heavily represented in the MD PhD applicant pool due to interest level in research.

More info on MD-PhD

That was definitely what I understood from the information available. The secondary also allowed us to pick either one, but I just wanted to make sure I didn't look silly choosing Pathways as an MSTP applicant :) Thanks so much!
 
This may have already been mentioned but is the HST essay also optional? I will likely write one regardless, but it doesn't appear to be optional based on the web portal.

Also, would there be any disadvantage to applying to NP and HST? I figure I may as well to maximize my chances (which are already low).
 
Is an updated transcript with Spring quarter grades worth uploading pre-interview? (10 units of A, rest P/NP - my gpa could use the 0.02 boost...)
 
Secondary submitted today! Verified 7/23. I think I got a good shot at an II :D
 
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This may have already been mentioned but is the HST essay also optional? I will likely write one regardless, but it doesn't appear to be optional based on the web portal.

Even if your primary application clearly demonstrates how you would be a good fit for HST, it probably is worth reiterating it again so that it is clearer for ADCOMs reading it.
 
I wanted to apply here but I saw on msar that biostats is required. If i am planning on taking biostats this year (my senior year) and would finish it before the time of potential matriculation does that fulfill the requirement or does it have to be completed before I apply?
 
I wanted to apply here but I saw on msar that biostats is required. If i am planning on taking biostats this year (my senior year) and would finish it before the time of potential matriculation does that fulfill the requirement or does it have to be completed before I apply?
Harvard does not have restrictive requirements like that. They focus on competencies instead and are very flexible.
In any case, prereqs are to be completed prior to matriculation, not application.
 
Harvard does not have restrictive requirements like that. They focus on competencies instead and are very flexible.
In any case, prereqs are to be completed prior to matriculation, not application.
That makes sense to me but just wanted to be sure. Thanks for the quick response!
 
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how many of you all left all the optionals blank? I feel weird doing that. But I might.

I did. I was thinking about what I could have added to the "diversity" looking one but when they said "many applicants will leave this blank" then I felt less bad about leaving it blank.

Blank for me as well

Me too. Hopefully I don't end up regretting that.

Previous years mentioned that forcing an answer to this question is much worse than leaving it blank. It shows poor judgment. So you're totally good :)
 
Online status says app is complete. No email yet but I'll assume I'm complete! So complete 7/24 :D
This is one of my top choices!
 
Question for anyone: is the HST program super particular about having calculus based physics? For me and the research I've been conducting/am interested in has no true relevance when using equipment, protocols, etc. Of course, it makes you look like a stronger candidate, but so does chemistries beyond organic/biochemistry. Thoughts/comments?
 
I'd figure I'd come visit the Harvard thread......:whistle:
 
Question for anyone: is the HST program super particular about having calculus based physics? For me and the research I've been conducting/am interested in has no true relevance when using equipment, protocols, etc. Of course, it makes you look like a stronger candidate, but so does chemistries beyond organic/biochemistry. Thoughts/comments?

Imho I thought that you needed calculus-based physics for a chem degree
 
Imho I thought that you needed calculus-based physics for a chem degree

This is not the case, especially if you concentrate in organic or biochemistry like myself. I applied HST and Pathways anyway--Harvard doesn't seem super strict on pre reqs and it doesn't hurt to try!
 
^^Yup, biochemistry for me and I wound up taking physical chemistry which used calculus based physics regularly but it did not require a calc based physics.
 
I took calc-based physics classes, but how will they know that? Do we have to specify it somewhere?
 
This is not the case, especially if you concentrate in organic or biochemistry like myself. I applied HST and Pathways anyway--Harvard doesn't seem super strict on pre reqs and it doesn't hurt to try!

^^Yup, biochemistry for me and I wound up taking physical chemistry which used calculus based physics regularly but it did not require a calc based physics.

Ah gotcha!

I took calc-based physics classes, but how will they know that? Do we have to specify it somewhere?

They have access to your transcript :) No need to waste space on your HST essay talking about that.
 
Received a letter from their ORMA office based on my MCAT and eventually decided to go ahead and apply. Someone recommended that I should apply to at least one dream school, might as well be HMS.
 
^^^ Harvard has been a huge advocate for highest grades do not = better doctors, rather the culmination of experiences and above average grades (just not the 3%) have been correlating to more rounded, considerate physicians.
The lack of diversity is also a problem.
I read somewhere that 95% of prosecutors in our country are ORM and 'legal experts' are contributing a lot of harsh sentencing to bigotry, ignorance of culture, and unwillingness to acknowledge them.
The medical field is also combating this; JHop, Harvard, Mayo, a lot of top schools are disregarding the 37's for people with low thirties due to being passionate and able to be a generation to combat this cycle.

Just my two cents
 
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^^^ Harvard has been a huge advocate for highest grades do not = better doctors, rather the culmination of experiences and above average grades (just not the 3%) have been correlating to more rounded, considerate physicians.
The lack of diversity is also a problem.
I read somewhere that 95% of prosecutors in our country are ORM and 'legal experts' are contributing a lot of harsh sentencing to bigotry, ignorance of culture, and unwillingness to acknowledge them.
The medical field is also combating this; JHop, Harvard, Mayo, a lot of top schools are disregarding the 37's for people with low thirties due to being passionate and able to be a generation to combat this cycle.

Just my two cents
Did the Pichus tell you that? They might be misleading you..
 
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Did the Pichus tell you that? They might be misleading you..

:D
Which part? And of course, there is wiggle room back and forth because in reality, who says a URM wouldn't have all those traits and a upper 5% in grades?
Just saying schools have been looking for more than just grades and typical ECs, otherwise, why would we see all these diversity essays?
 
I thought this would fit here in the Harvard thread. Funniest thing I've seen in a while. Take a break from all your secondaries you gods!

 
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As someone with a 66 LizzyM who could not even dream of applying here, I just wanted to stop by this thread.

So this is what it feels like............
If you have great experiences which show commitment/are an interesting person/want to go here apply, just do it. I know 3 people with lizzym 78-80 who got rejected and one with a 72 who got in.

anyway for my question, anyone know if theres much of a difference submitting this week vs next week? i just wanna take the weekend to spruce up my essays a tad more. but its august :nailbiting:
 
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If you have great experiences which show commitment/are an interesting person/want to go here apply, just do it. I know 3 people with LizzyM 78-80 who got rejected and one with a 72 who got in.

anyway for my question, anyone know if theres much of a difference submitting this week vs next week? i just wanna take the weekend to spruce up my essays a tad more. but its august D:
Which essay? Harvard just wants a gap year plans essay..are you writing a diversity statement? I don't thin it matters that much for Harvard since they don't give IIs until late August anyway
 
Which essay? Harvard just wants a gap year plans essay..are you writing a diversity statement? I don't thin it matters that much for Harvard since they don't give IIs until late August anyway
I'm doing all three. I actually wanted to split my diversity and HST. i talked a little too much about my research in my diversity and while its sort of related, the HST essay is the better place for it.
 
If you have great experiences which show commitment/are an interesting person/want to go here apply, just do it. I know 3 people with LizzyM 78-80 who got rejected and one with a 72 who got in.

anyway for my question, anyone know if theres much of a difference submitting this week vs next week? i just wanna take the weekend to spruce up my essays a tad more. but its august :nailbiting:

I like that several people have pointed out that HMS (as well as many other good schools) is more interested in an applicant's qualitative features than their scores. Sure, there is soft floor below which you are probably not considered to be a serious candidate (not because you are less of a human being, but simply because you will struggle to keep up with your classmates). Yet beyond that minimum, these schools make serious efforts to consider the whole package - to create diverse, interesting, and well-balanced cohorts. I am a Caucasian male with a LizzyM of about 73 (respectable but not outstanding), and I was accepted here. Clearly there's more to this process than just the numbers.

For those of you panicking about your timeframe, I submitted my primary application one year ago today (29 July... seems like yesterday), my HMS secondary on 24 September, got an II on 04 December, and interviewed mid-January. And now I start orientation in 5 days. It goes by quickly, then slowly, then quickly again. Take the extra few minutes/hours/days to make sure that you have put together a solid application that best reflects you as an intelligent, well-rounded, interesting, and caring individual. You'll be fine.
 
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I like that several people have pointed out that HMS (as well as many other good schools) is more interested in an applicant's qualitative features than their scores. Sure, there is soft floor below which you are probably not considered to be a serious candidate (not because you are less of a human being, but simply because you will struggle to keep up with your classmates). Yet beyond that minimum, these schools make serious efforts to consider the whole package - to create diverse, interesting, and well-balanced cohorts. I am a Caucasian male with a LizzyM of about 73 (respectable but not outstanding), and I was accepted here. Clearly there's more to this process than just the numbers.

For those of you panicking about your timeframe, I submitted my primary application one year ago today (29 July... seems like yesterday), my HMS secondary on 24 September, got an II on 04 December, and interviewed mid-January. And now I start orientation in 5 days. It goes by quickly, then slowly, then quickly again. Take the extra few minutes/hours/days to make sure that you have put together a solid application that best reflects you as an intelligent, well-rounded, interesting, and caring individual. You'll be fine.
nice post. any idea what that soft floor is? :shifty::shifty:
 
I applied once to Harvard to enter the same year I graduated. I've been doing a lot of stuff in the past 3-4 years, but I'm a little stumped on how to differentiate my answers for "If you are reapplying...summarize your activities since your previous app" and "summarize your activities since graduation." The second one is optional, but I feel really weird leaving it blank...
 
I just wanted some advice, LizzyM 76 here, middling ECs but with decent research background, is it worth applying?

I was thinking about swapping this and Duke's 100 bucks with an Emory/Cornell/Virginia application.
 
I just wanted some advice, LizzyM 76 here, middling ECs but with decent research background, is it worth applying?

I was thinking about swapping this and Duke's 100 bucks with an Emory/Cornell/Virginia application.
define "decent research"
 
define "decent research"

2+ years epidemiological nephrology research, ~>1500 hrs, going into 2nd year MSc, 1 abstract published, 2 presentations, 1 second author submitted to higher tier clinical journal, another to be submitted by end of summer.
 
I just wanted some advice, LizzyM 76 here, middling ECs but with decent research background, is it worth applying?

I was thinking about swapping this and Duke's 100 bucks with an Emory/Cornell/Virginia application.
I think you're all set. The middling ECs will do you in, not the stats or research. SDN is way too numbers-obsessed and it just doesn't matter all that much. Emory and UVA are very different from Harvard, though, so you'll have to work on those intangibles and see if this is what you want
 
Hey guys! Happy to join the fun. Anybody applying from large state schools? What type of schools are y'all from? :)
 
Submitted! Way on the low end of stats but I've worked at HMS labs for 6 years, 4 pubs, and 3 LOR from Harvard physicians, two of which are chiefs. So, why not!
 
I'm from a top 1000 university, it's pretty rad.
 
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from a big ole state university
 
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