You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
2015-2016 Harvard Medical School Application Thread
Started by Ismet
Get help with your application
Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.
Same here!Well, I just got an interview today. My LizzyM is a 67 also. And I also received that letter. I didn't think I had a shot but my advisor encouraged me to try. I'd say give it a shot!
Well, I just got an interview today. My LizzyM is a 67 also. And I also received that letter. I didn't think I had a shot but my advisor encouraged me to try. I'd say give it a shot!
So encouraging to see that. I also got one of those letters, 68 LizzyM - I had no hope because I didn't get into IU but now I feel like I have a chance...
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
What's IUSo encouraging to see that. I also got one of those letters, 68 LizzyM - I had no hope because I didn't get into IU but now I feel like I have a chance...
What's IU
Indiana University, perhaps?
INTERVIEW INVITE!!! SOOOO EXCITED 

congrats! 🙂 do you mind sharing how far out they're being scheduled at this point?INTERVIEW INVITE!!! SOOOO EXCITED![]()
Low 30's. I don't think the letter means much as far as getting in. I think they just want to encourage more URM to apply.
I know URMs there with a 30.
Matriculating here next year - I'll try to update how the new Pathways curriculum goes as I get through it. As always, feel free to ask any questions.
Hey, are the interviews open or closed file?
Interviewed here recently - both are open file (I'm not sure if they have your GPA and MCAT though).Hey, are the interviews open or closed file?
They definitely have everything. As one of my interviewers flipped through the packet I saw the list of all courses I ever took as inputted onto AMCAS. LORs were there, too; I could see the letterheads and everything.Interviewed here recently - both are open file (I'm not sure if they have your GPA and MCAT though).
Submitting a secondary here today on a whim. For those who filled out the first question about activities since graduation, how long did you make that essay? I could include a relatively long essay or answer that question VERY succinctly in a short paragraph. Not sure what they're looking for though, given the extensive character count!
Two short paragraphs - one on employment and why I chose this opportunity instead of other gap year activities, and another on upcoming volunteer/hobby-related gigs.Submitting a secondary here today on a whim. For those who filled out the first question about activities since graduation, how long did you make that essay? I could include a relatively long essay or answer that question VERY succinctly in a short paragraph. Not sure what they're looking for though, given the extensive character count!
They definitely have everything. As one of my interviewers flipped through the packet I saw the list of all courses I ever took as inputted onto AMCAS. LORs were there, too; I could see the letterheads and everything.
Ok thanks!
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
congrats! 🙂 do you mind sharing how far out they're being scheduled at this point?
They had dates up to late November. I didn't check beyond that. I saw many dates available though. I need to reschedule since something came up D=
Submitting a secondary here today on a whim. For those who filled out the first question about activities since graduation, how long did you make that essay? I could include a relatively long essay or answer that question VERY succinctly in a short paragraph. Not sure what they're looking for though, given the extensive character count!
Haha I literally just did the same thing.
I wrote a solid 4 succinct sentences. I know if I were reading thousands of these things, I wouldn't want to read much lol. Given the 4000 character limit though, I'm sure its perfectly fine to write a good deal about what you've been up to, if you so choose.
Deleted
Last edited:
is Harvard responsive to ITA emails??
lol jk
lol jk
Is this a mistake or something?is Harvard responsive to ITA emails??
lol jk
Haha! I wishis Harvard responsive to ITA emails??
lol jk
Assume schools are open to ITA emails unless specifically stated otherwise. Most schools don't take it into account immediately anyway; it just sits in your file and if they give you an II, they can take it into account if they wish. But, as always, if you don't really need the accommodation, don't use it as a way to squeeze an earlier review/reply.
Have there not been any recent SDN Harvard II's? 

When is the earliest available interview date? Just trying to get a feel for how many IIs are left...wishful thinking
Complete date?I just withdrew my SC acceptance - have been accepted since last Dec. So, hopefully (for you guys) there are many others in my same situation. It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made - SC is in a class of their own and I truly LOVE that school. Best of luck.
Guessing that was an error? That guy was complete in like 2001.Complete date?
II this morning too! Complete 7/17, interview dates available are in mid-november
Guessing that was an error? That guy was complete in like 2001.
Hmm that's never happened to me before, weird.
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
I had an interview at 3:30. Suffice it to say we were delayed immensely. I finished around 7 p.m.For those that have interviewed, when did the interview day end? Was it around 5 p.m.?
BUT IT WAS AWESOME. 🙂
Great interviewer, she even gave me a ride back to campus. Very impressed with how much the interviewers cared about us.
It really varies. Almost everyone in my interview group was done by 3 (two were done by noon), and the latest someone was done by was 5 I think. There can be delays (as mentioned above) so really just plan to be there til when they advised you to. Best of luck and enjoy your interview day, it's great!For those that have interviewed, when did the interview day end? Was it around 5 p.m.?
Congratulations!II this morning! And to think the main reason I applied to HMS because I received a letter encouraging me to! Interview dates are mid/late November and early December. So excited! Good luck to everyone still waiting!
Complete date?
Complete date please?II this morning! And to think the main reason I applied to HMS because I received a letter encouraging me to! Interview dates are mid/late November and early December. So excited! Good luck to everyone still waiting!
What types of students does Harvard Medical School interview? I wonder what they are looking for when they invite those to interview.
What types of students does Harvard Medical School interview? I wonder what they are looking for when they invite those to interview.
Harvard interview days be like:
No one here could really reasonably or responsibly answer this question. From what I saw at my own interview day, it's an eclectic bunch.What types of students does Harvard Medical School interview? I wonder what they are looking for when they invite those to interview.
What types of students does Harvard Medical School interview? I wonder what they are looking for when they invite those to interview.
HMS definitely prides itself on diversity and explicitly says that there is no description of a typical student. That being said, the HST program has a much more defined niche than Pathways because HST seeks to train students to be physician-scientists who conduct research.
At my interview day they said they don't actually set a cap on how many they'll interview, but that it looked like they'd probably hit 800. In past years though, they've gone up to like 1100.When is the earliest available interview date? Just trying to get a feel for how many IIs are left...wishful thinking
Could anyone who has interviewed here reflect on their experience interviewing? Was it relaxed or structured? (Either Pathways or HST.)
Pathways, pretty relaxed. The whole day was very free range.Could anyone who has interviewed here reflect on their experience interviewing? Was it relaxed or structured? (Either Pathways or HST.)
My first interview was super conversational. The second was a bit more structured. Both were friendly and low stress!
The interview day, other than the short orientation at the beginning, the lunch, your interviews, and the tour (which is optional), is really what you make of it. It's very relaxed. I suggest staying with a host and asking if you can sit in on their classes during your downtime - don't just stay in the applicants' lounge. I attended one class and it was a good look into how their sessions are facilitated, and I also got to talk to a lot of my host's classmates. I also hung around the TMEC atrium for a bit and med students, upon seeing my name tag that identified me as an interviewee, came up to me and we talked for a bit.Could anyone who has interviewed here reflect on their experience interviewing? Was it relaxed or structured? (Either Pathways or HST.)
I wrote something more detailed on my MDApps, and @avgn did too. Good luck and lemme know if you have more questions!
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Look through the other pages of this thread.Could anyone who has interviewed here reflect on their experience interviewing? Was it relaxed or structured? (Either Pathways or HST.)
Anyone know what dates are still available for Harvard interviews?
Could anyone who has interviewed here reflect on their experience interviewing? Was it relaxed or structured? (Either Pathways or HST.)
Interviewed today. Great experience. Relaxed day with lots of free time to roam around the area, sit in on classes and get to know students/other interviewees. The interviewers were incredibly warm and easy to talk with, totally conversational.
Harvard interview days be like:
Yup. This is pretty much it.
And just like in MIB, the ramrod, self-aggrandizing, over-confident, trigger-happy candidates won't make it. Be like Will Smith - cool, friendly, and thoughtful - and you'll be fine. The rest of you will all be neuralyzed:
But in reality, the fact that you've gotten an interview at HMS means that you're a competitive med school applicant. You'll all find your right place.
Awesome, congrats! When were you complete if you don't mind me asking?@Almighty Saguaro mid-Nov to early Dec dates available!
(edit: II yesterday)
Similar threads
- Replies
- 35
- Views
- 11K
- Replies
- 351
- Views
- 80K