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2024-2025 Harvard

Started by wysdoc
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littlepotato said:
How long were the interviews and why do you feel that they were intense? Mine is coming up so I’m trying to calm the nerves!
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PotatoBean said:
Mine were 30-45 minutes. On average the interviewers know your file very, very well and they come prepared with specific questions. By good measure the most nervous I've been for any interview yet
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Exactly this. They weren't stress-testing me, but I definitely felt like they almost fact checking me at times and were very well versed on what I'd written. They loosened up at the end when I could ask questions I agree with BeanRope that this was the most nerve wracking for me personally! You will be fine, I would recommend doing a deep dive on your own app and trying to anticipate any questions, and definitely re-read any pubs you have to keep them front of mind!
 
sciolywin said:
Any MSTP IIs for either HST or Pathways? If so, when did you submit and hear from them?
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Hi @sciolywin I see you asking this question across a lot of schools.

There's a separate Physician Scientist forum where people are sharing their news here: MD/PhD Interview Invitations
Read the first post for how to share news, then skip to the most recent post for the big list

There are threads for acceptances and rejections too
 
BabySnoopy said:
I just saw this and was wondering the same thing. On the portal mine says “received” and there is nothing that says “complete” - is this true for everyone else as well?
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under application status mine says “your application is ready” - i’d imagine that’s what everyone else’s says right?
 
PotatoBean said:
Mine were 30-45 minutes. On average the interviewers know your file very, very well and they come prepared with specific questions. By good measure the most nervous I've been for any interview yet
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cassidy_grace2325 said:
Exactly this. They weren't stress-testing me, but I definitely felt like they almost fact checking me at times and were very well versed on what I'd written. They loosened up at the end when I could ask questions I agree with BeanRope that this was the most nerve wracking for me personally! You will be fine, I would recommend doing a deep dive on your own app and trying to anticipate any questions, and definitely re-read any pubs you have to keep them front of mind!
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Did they ask you questions specific to your pubs/ research? Like doing a deeper dive on the science behind the research, the experimental methods, etc.?

Some of my research is real old so I'm trying to anticipate how much of the science I need to review lol
 
robot_soup said:
Did they ask you questions specific to your pubs/ research? Like doing a deeper dive on the science behind the research, the experimental methods, etc.?

Some of my research is real old so I'm trying to anticipate how much of the science I need to review lol
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For sure. In most interviews it's a common question. For research-heavy schools I would expect it to be assured.
 
MrClean683 said:
I had some interviews at a couple research focused programs, the deepest questions they’ve asked have been just “what was your hypothesis” “tell me a little about your methods” “how do you want to move forward with this”.

I had multiple specialists whose fields were along the lines of the disease I was researching, and none of them questioned the intricate details or anything.
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For sure. In most cases there's just not the time for a full dissertation defense. But I've definitely had interviewers ask technical and follow-up questions related to research, including methods, and this was the case for the Harvard interview.

It's been a couple of weeks now, but if memory serves the interviewer asked about research and then had 3 or so follow-up questions. That's a greater-than-average focus compared to other interviews I've had, but it's probably safe to assume that the questions are likely to occur.

I'll say it's never felt like a pop quiz, or like I was being challenged in any way; I've never felt a sense of 'gotcha' at all. But for sure being prepared to answer questions is advisable.
 
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robot_soup said:
Did they ask you questions specific to your pubs/ research? Like doing a deeper dive on the science behind the research, the experimental methods, etc.?

Some of my research is real old so I'm trying to anticipate how much of the science I need to review lol
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My second interviewer was in the field that I did research in, and she actually disagreed with our findings (or rather, she said they were found in a controlled space and couldn't be applied more broadly when taking into account different factors). This lead to QUITE an in depth conversation about the methods, relevance, analysis, etc. Considering that was a 2020 paper from a lab I haven't touched since then....I would caution people interviewing here to be safe and feel good about both your research and the field your research was in. I felt really good about both of my interviews because I felt overprepared (I had people who interviewed here last year tell me to review your research), but immediately after I texted my parents and was like "Harvard just put me in a pressure cooker for 2 hours"
 
cassidy_grace2325 said:
My second interviewer was in the field that I did research in, and she actually disagreed with our findings (or rather, she said they were found in a controlled space and couldn't be applied more broadly when taking into account different factors). This lead to QUITE an in depth conversation about the methods, relevance, analysis, etc. Considering that was a 2020 paper from a lab I haven't touched since then....I would caution people interviewing here to be safe and feel good about both your research and the field your research was in. I felt really good about both of my interviews because I felt overprepared (I had people who interviewed here last year tell me to review your research), but immediately after I texted my parents and was like "Harvard just put me in a pressure cooker for 2 hours"
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me taking notes as if I am expecting to interview here. jokes aside, I will have to memorize my papers if they drill you that hard.
 
Iron Man23 said:
me taking notes as if I am expecting to interview here. jokes aside, I will have to memorize my papers if they drill you that hard.
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I could've just been particularly unlucky with my interviewer (who was still a very nice person but oh my goodness genuinely scared)!!! And don't you dare count yourself out of interviewing here, the cycle is long 🙂 CONGRATS ON YOUR A!!
 
pink_panther said:
jeez that's crazy.

meanwhile like 4 interviews attended so far and it's just been "tell me about a time XYZ" type stuff lol. I need to prep harder
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Harvard has been the only school that I've had this experience with so far, and it seems to consistently have a more detail-oriented interview year after year (I stalked SDN to prep). Once again, I'm sure other people here have had different experiences than me, as long as you know your application like the back of your hand you'll do well everywhere!
 
Hi! If anyone is willing to share, I am extremely nervous about my upcoming interview this week (I still have absolutely no idea how I got one here) and would be beyond appreciative for any help. How much would you say you prepared for the interview? How thoroughly did you review your research (i.e. if you researched a topic within the scope of a specialty, how well did you know that speciality or did you just focus on the details of your research project?)? Any tips/tricks to do well?
 
Hozier said:
Hi! If anyone is willing to share, I am extremely nervous about my upcoming interview this week (I still have absolutely no idea how I got one here) and would be beyond appreciative for any help. How much would you say you prepared for the interview? How thoroughly did you review your research (i.e. if you researched a topic within the scope of a specialty, how well did you know that speciality or did you just focus on the details of your research project?)? Any tips/tricks to do well?
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I PMd
 
holy crap that was unexpected…
OOS II, LM eighty one, submitted july seventeenth

edit: in case anyone finds it interesting I actually did not submit letters from all of my PI’s like they recommended! Only from the most recent of my two research experiences since I felt like they would be able to advocate for me more strongly
 
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Congrats everyone!!! Reading those messages makes me soooo happy [emoji3590][emoji3590][emoji3590]
For those getting IIs are you pathways or HST?
 
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Does HMS send pre-II Rs before 3/1? MSTP pathways, complete in July and it’s been total and utter radio silence.
 
JAG321 said:
Does HMS send pre-II Rs before 3/1? MSTP pathways, complete in July and it’s been total and utter radio silence.
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Based on last year’s cycle track data, most/almost all rejections came in March but I believe Harvard stops interviewing in January so if one hasn’t heard by then, then it’s most likely a rejection
 
JAG321 said:
Does HMS send pre-II Rs before 3/1? MSTP pathways, complete in July and it’s been total and utter radio silence.
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For MSTP, I see 4 Rs logged on CycleTrack so far, and one person wrote about receiving a pre-II R for the MSTP earlier in this thread (I think in September).
 
Ms. miRNA said:
For MSTP, I see 4 Rs logged on CycleTrack so far, and one person wrote about receiving a pre-II R for the MSTP earlier in this thread (I think in September).
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They normally let you know that MSTP is rejected if you applied for both MD and MSTP so you stay in contention for MD. If someone doesnt apply for both, not sure what happens.
 
firesign08 said:
+1 OOS II just now!! I'm super shocked lol. LM 77 complete 7/30. I was super worried about this when applying, but I did not have LORs from all my research mentors (including one I worked with for two years who refused to write me one). Hopefully, that puts some of y'all at ease!!
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So happy for you!! That is amazing
 
+1 OOS II (pathways) LM 76

Super excited about this! It's in two weeks. Any suggestions?? I have some people telling me pathways is super chill but this thread made it seem like an interrogation (unless y'all were talking about HST) Do they ask the classic personality behavioral questions (ie tell me about a time.... what are your weaknesses...) Or is it only file stuff? What should I review?
 
breezybb said:
Bumping this one!! I have a couple different research projects I mentioned on primary but am interviewing for Pathways... not sure how deep to dive into prep on some of the smaller details with the research projects
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It's always good to be able to talk fluently about your research projects! But both of my Pathways interviews were very much conversational-- did not feel at all like an interrogation.
 
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pink_panther said:
We've been aware of your activity for quite some time, Harvester. Remember, the heavens have seen your steps long before you arrived.
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I am honored.

Each step I take I can feel the crushing weight of II's pressing into the soil. I walk over the graves of thousands of applications. A solemn journey it is. The more IIs I gain, I lose touch with what makes me human, forever changed to a new level of consciousness.
 
shadysensei said:
You've got shooters, bro. Stay safe out there 🫡

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This plebeian has tarnished the sanctity of what it is to be the harvester. The art of the harvester is nothing like the works of Robert Frost. Frankly insulting. Some minds cannot comprehend the linguistic capabilities of a true harvester.

The harvester is amused that everyone assumes they are a man, however. Living in mystery is the code by which we humble harvesters live by.
 
This plebeian has tarnished the sanctity of what it is to be the harvester. The art of the harvester is nothing like the works of Robert Frost. Frankly insulting. Some minds cannot comprehend the linguistic capabilities of a true harvester.

The harvester is amused that everyone assumes they are a man, however. Living in mystery is the code by which we humble harvesters live by.
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...Mom?
 
bombor10 said:
+1 OOS II (pathways) LM 76

Super excited about this! It's in two weeks. Any suggestions?? I have some people telling me pathways is super chill but this thread made it seem like an interrogation (unless y'all were talking about HST) Do they ask the classic personality behavioral questions (ie tell me about a time.... what are your weaknesses...) Or is it only file stuff? What should I review?
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Congrats on the interview! When were you complete?
 
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