2024-2025 Harvard

[wysdoc]

2024-2025 Harvard Secondary Essay Prompts:

A. Marital Status
B. Are your parents/guardians Harvard Medical School alumni (MD or MD-PhD) or faculty members?
C. On average how many hours per week did you devote to employment during the academic year?

D. If you have already graduated, briefly (4000 characters maximum) summarize your activities since graduation.

E. If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity not addressed elsewhere in the application that may illuminate how you could contribute to the medical school and that you would like to share with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, or other aspects of your personal or family background to place your prior academic achievements in context or provide further information about your motivation for a career in medicine or the perspectives you might bring to the medical school community. Many applicants will not need to answer this question (4,000 characters maximum).

F. The interview season for the 2024-2025 cycle will be held virtually and is anticipated to run from mid-September through January 2025. Please indicate any significant (three or more weeks) restriction on your availability for interviews during this period. If none, please leave this section blank (1000 characters maximum).

Applying to HST Cohort?
The HST MD program draws on the combined resources of Harvard and MIT to provide a distinct preclinical education tailored to preparing students for careers as transformative physicians who will shape the future practice of medicine. Our students come from the full spectrum of disciplines including biological, physical, engineering and social sciences. HST classes are small, commonly include graduate students and have an emphasis on quantitative and analytic approaches. The unique HST pre-clinical curriculum prepares students well for the HMS clinical education while also emphasizing disease mechanisms and preparing students to solve critical unmet needs in medicine and healthcare (ranging from novel diagnostics and therapeutics to applications of ‘big data’ and systems engineering).
Please focus on how your interests, experiences and aspirations have prepared you for HST (rather than identifying specific HST faculty or research opportunities). (4000 character maximum)

Good luck to all applying!
Interview Feedback:

Harvard Medical School Interview Feedback

Review of Harvard Medical School Interview Feedback. Get the latest information, opinions of fellow students, and LizzyM and SDN Rankings.

www.studentdoctor.net

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[shadysensei]

1. If you have already graduated, briefly (4000 characters maximum) summarize your activities since graduation.

2. If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity not addressed elsewhere in the application that may illuminate how you could contribute to the medical school and that you would like to share with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, or other aspects of your personal or family background to place your prior academic achievements in context or provide further information about your motivation for a career in medicine or the perspectives you might bring to the medical school community. Many applicants will not need to answer this question. (4000 characters)

3. If you have already graduated, briefly (4000 characters maximum) summarize your activities since graduation.

 

[Mr. Macrophage]

Secondary received @wysdoc:

D. If you have already graduated, briefly (4000 characters maximum) summarize your activities since graduation.

E. If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity not addressed elsewhere in the application that may illuminate how you could contribute to the medical school and that you would like to share with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, or other aspects of your personal or family background to place your prior academic achievements in context or provide further information about your motivation for a career in medicine or the perspectives you might bring to the medical school community. Many applicants will not need to answer this question (4,000 characters maximum).

F. The interview season for the 2024-2025 cycle will be held virtually and is anticipated to run from mid-September through January 2025. Please indicate any significant (three or more weeks) restriction on your availability for interviews during this period. If none, please leave this section blank (1000 characters maximum).

HST: The HST MD program draws on the combined resources of Harvard and MIT to provide a distinct preclinical education tailored to preparing students for careers as transformative physicians who will shape the future practice of medicine. Our students come from the full spectrum of disciplines including biological, physical, engineering and social sciences. HST classes are small, commonly include graduate students and have an emphasis on quantitative and analytic approaches. The unique HST pre-clinical curriculum prepares students well for the HMS clinical education while also emphasizing disease mechanisms and preparing students to solve critical unmet needs in medicine and healthcare (ranging from novel diagnostics and therapeutics to applications of ‘big data’ and systems engineering). Please focus on how your interests, experiences and aspirations have prepared you for HST (rather than identifying specific HST faculty or research opportunities). (4000 character maximum)

This time I checked all pages 🙂

 

[TheDeadrok]

+1 OOS just now.

For a traditional ORM middle class applicant, their secondary is literally just a blank sheet that you turn in. I'm super glad I have the FAP waiver because otherwise I would be paying $100 to turn in a blank secondary, crazy.

 

[Mr. Macrophage]

+1 OOS just now.

For a traditional ORM middle class applicant, their secondary is literally just a blank sheet that you turn in. I'm super glad I have the FAP waiver because otherwise I would be paying $100 to turn in a blank secondary, crazy.

I would still use Prompt E as a diversity essay: "other aspects of your personal or family background to place your prior academic achievements in context or provide further information about your motivation for a career in medicine or the perspectives you might bring to the medical school community."

 

[Iron Man23]

+1 OOS

 

[zenvibes]

is there an HST essay?

 

[feeling_tireddddd]

+1 OOS

 

[zenvibes]

does anyone know if the pathways admissions people also read the hst essay or do they not see that?

 

[CheeesyBoi]

I would still use Prompt E as a diversity essay: "other aspects of your personal or family background to place your prior academic achievements in context or provide further information about your motivation for a career in medicine or the perspectives you might bring to the medical school community."

The "Many applicants will not need to answer this question" is what makes me feel like it needs to be either extenuating circumstances or something very significant to improve. Or am I thinking about this wrong?

 

[soldier boy]

+1 OOS

 

[MapoBuldak]

The "Many applicants will not need to answer this question" is what makes me feel like it needs to be either extenuating circumstances or something very significant to improve. Or am I thinking about this wrong?

This is how I’m going to approach it as well. Not going to try to force an answer.

 

[wysdoc]

1. If you have already graduated, briefly (4000 characters maximum) summarize your activities since graduation.

2. If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity not addressed elsewhere in the application that may illuminate how you could contribute to the medical school and that you would like to share with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, or other aspects of your personal or family background to place your prior academic achievements in context or provide further information about your motivation for a career in medicine or the perspectives you might bring to the medical school community. Many applicants will not need to answer this question. (4000 characters)

3. If you have already graduated, briefly (4000 characters maximum) summarize your activities since graduation.

two of these are the same...

 

[sincerely_arden]

+1 OOS

 

[wysdoc]

Secondary received @wysdoc:

D. If you have already graduated, briefly (4000 characters maximum) summarize your activities since graduation.

E. If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity not addressed elsewhere in the application that may illuminate how you could contribute to the medical school and that you would like to share with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, or other aspects of your personal or family background to place your prior academic achievements in context or provide further information about your motivation for a career in medicine or the perspectives you might bring to the medical school community. Many applicants will not need to answer this question (4,000 characters maximum).

F. The interview season for the 2024-2025 cycle will be held virtually and is anticipated to run from mid-September through January 2025. Please indicate any significant (three or more weeks) restriction on your availability for interviews during this period. If none, please leave this section blank (1000 characters maximum).

HST: The HST MD program draws on the combined resources of Harvard and MIT to provide a distinct preclinical education tailored to preparing students for careers as transformative physicians who will shape the future practice of medicine. Our students come from the full spectrum of disciplines including biological, physical, engineering and social sciences. HST classes are small, commonly include graduate students and have an emphasis on quantitative and analytic approaches. The unique HST pre-clinical curriculum prepares students well for the HMS clinical education while also emphasizing disease mechanisms and preparing students to solve critical unmet needs in medicine and healthcare (ranging from novel diagnostics and therapeutics to applications of ‘big data’ and systems engineering). Please focus on how your interests, experiences and aspirations have prepared you for HST (rather than identifying specific HST faculty or research opportunities). (4000 character maximum)

This time I checked all pages 🙂

but what were A, B, C?

 

[TheDeadrok]

I would still use Prompt E as a diversity essay: "other aspects of your personal or family background to place your prior academic achievements in context or provide further information about your motivation for a career in medicine or the perspectives you might bring to the medical school community."

I feel like that could come off as disingenuous for me due to their disclaimer at the end that states that many applicants won't need to answer the question. I would feel bad trying to make my diversity/adversity fit this question when they seem to be looking for a more serious experience

 

[TheDeadrok]

does anyone know if the pathways admissions people also read the hst essay or do they not see that?

we don't see it

 

[CheeesyBoi]

When they ask about "online coursework," are you supposed to list every class you took online as part of the pandemic? Also, should I list the courses that were online lecture + in person lab?

 

[wander21]

Any idea if the optional essay is really optional?

 

[shadysensei]

A. Marital Status
B. Are your parents/guardians Harvard Medical School alumni (MD or MD-PhD) or faculty members?
C. On average how many hours per week did you devote to employment during the academic year?

 

[shadysensei]

two of these are the same...

My b, I meant to add the HST essay

 

[wysdoc]

A. Marital Status
B. Are your parents/guardians Harvard Medical School alumni (MD or MD-PhD) or faculty members?
C. On average how many hours per week did you devote to employment during the academic year?

weird, why do they care whether you are married?

 

[cauliflower_zl]

Secondary received @wysdoc:

D. If you have already graduated, briefly (4000 characters maximum) summarize your activities since graduation.

E. If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity not addressed elsewhere in the application that may illuminate how you could contribute to the medical school and that you would like to share with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, or other aspects of your personal or family background to place your prior academic achievements in context or provide further information about your motivation for a career in medicine or the perspectives you might bring to the medical school community. Many applicants will not need to answer this question (4,000 characters maximum).

F. The interview season for the 2024-2025 cycle will be held virtually and is anticipated to run from mid-September through January 2025. Please indicate any significant (three or more weeks) restriction on your availability for interviews during this period. If none, please leave this section blank (1000 characters maximum).

HST: The HST MD program draws on the combined resources of Harvard and MIT to provide a distinct preclinical education tailored to preparing students for careers as transformative physicians who will shape the future practice of medicine. Our students come from the full spectrum of disciplines including biological, physical, engineering and social sciences. HST classes are small, commonly include graduate students and have an emphasis on quantitative and analytic approaches. The unique HST pre-clinical curriculum prepares students well for the HMS clinical education while also emphasizing disease mechanisms and preparing students to solve critical unmet needs in medicine and healthcare (ranging from novel diagnostics and therapeutics to applications of ‘big data’ and systems engineering). Please focus on how your interests, experiences and aspirations have prepared you for HST (rather than identifying specific HST faculty or research opportunities). (4000 character maximum)

This time I checked all pages 🙂

I am being very dumb but where did you find the HST essay

 

[shadysensei]

Select HST in the Program of Interest section (page 2)

 

[cauliflower_zl]

hmmm nothing shows up for me when I do. did it just appear under the selection for you?

 

[Iron Man23]

hmmm nothing shows up for me when I do. did it just appear under the selection for you?

it will come on the next page once you select it.

 

[Flipase]

hmmmmmm. Not gonna lie guys I don't have an answer to any of these questions. Is it DOA to turn in a blank secondary???

 

[cauliflower_zl]

it will come on the next page once you select it.

omg thank you i was not clicking on save

 

[Iron Man23]

Is HST worth it with. 4.0/516. Im low for the mcat but have a lot of research experience. Also really like the program but ik it’s crazy competitive.

 

[E. Leaf]

+1 OOS

 

[TheDeadrok]

weird, why do they care whether you are married?

They say it's part of their diversity questions to get a wide variety of students in their class, pays off for us married folks I guess 🤷‍♂️

 

[TheDeadrok]

hmmmmmm. Not gonna lie guys I don't have an answer to any of these questions. Is it DOA to turn in a blank secondary???

I have no clue but I turned it in blank??? I feel like if you don't have an answer then you shouldn't force one

 

[CheeesyBoi]

When they ask about "online coursework," are you supposed to list every class you took online as part of the pandemic? Also, should I list the courses that were online lecture + in person lab?

"Please note that all online coursework should be listed in this section, including coursework that was taken online due to the COVID-19 pandemic." I answered my own question per the prerequisite page on the website

 

[sincerely_arden]

"On average how many hours per week did you devote to employment during the academic year?" Since I'm a rising senior should I leave the "senior" box blank as it asks the question in past tense? or should I list my anticipated hours?

 

[trumpet298]

When is asks for online coursework, does that include coursework taken over COVID?

 

[CheeesyBoi]

"Please note that all online coursework should be listed in this section, including coursework that was taken online due to the COVID-19 pandemic." I answered my own question per the prerequisite page on the website

When is asks for online coursework, does that include coursework taken over COVID?

 

[BlueTuba15]

For the MD/PhD awards question: if I previously applied to one of the international awards they have in the drop-down menu but didn't get it, should I still put it in? Or just not include it because I wasn't awarded?

 

[tangerines32]

+1 oos

 

[TheDeadrok]

For the MD/PhD awards question: if I previously applied to one of the international awards they have in the drop-down menu but didn't get it, should I still put it in? Or just not include it because I wasn't awarded?

If they are asking about awards that you received you should not include it if you did not receive the award

 

[Z_C]

-

 

[scrubz]

3) having a real actual answer to this other than rephrasing some canned diversity seems like a plus?

what you consider canned diversity could have incredible meaning to someone.

 

[Z_C]

what you consider canned diversity could have incredible meaning to someone.

you know, that’s a fair point i should have been more careful with my phrasing, what I meant to say is that I have an answer that fits the criterion of absent completely from the remainder of my application and would be a purpose written response for this rather than a modification of the content that I send in response to a typical diversity essay prompt that does not include the caveat that most people should not write a thing

 

[BlueTuba15]

If they are asking about awards that you received you should not include it if you did not receive the award

They ask "Have you applied for or received any of the following awards?"

 

[BiomedEGR777]

+1 IS, ready to send in my donation

 

[BiomedEGR777]

I’m in sort of an unusual place with this topic. I have had a pretty substantial experience that I have left off the rest of my application. However, the reason it’s not included is that it’s typically seen as a bit of a red flag. In my application I have a through line of interest and work with addiction medicine in my personal and professional life. One thing I don’t otherwise address is that I am personally a former IV drug user. I wouldn’t otherwise include it but this seems like something of a special case, here are my thoughts about why I might:

1) it seems like the kind of thing that this question in particular is asking for, like it seems like it’s asking “hey is there anything you otherwise chose to leave off that is important”
2) it’s harvard and if I’m going to do something high risk high reward it seems like it’s kinda here or nowhere
3) having a real actual answer to this other than rephrasing some canned diversity essay response seems like a plus?

Thoughts?

I wrote about my dad struggling with addiction, us struggling with poverty, and now my volunteer work with harm reduction and community outreach programs so I think you have a good story and if you show growth and word it well I think it could be very impactful

 

[pickleball2048]

Does anyone know if applicants who do not fill out any of the essays (trad applicants where the second essay doesn't apply) generally get interviews in the past?

 

[RunnerDad]

Does anyone know if applicants who do not fill out any of the essays (trad applicants where the second essay doesn't apply) generally get interviews in the past?

I might be misunderstanding your question, but I don't think there's any category of applicant who would "generally" get an interview at Harvard, or really any other school. The process is very dependent on the school and its evaluation of the application as a whole.

 

[Z_C]

I want to pursue a career in academic medicine but I'm not very interested in the HST program specifically. Would it be a red flag to apply only for pathways given a very academic medicine centric application?

 

[shadysensei]

I don't think so, the HST program is really specific about which research fields they prefer

 

[Z_C]

I don't think so, the HST program is really specific about which research fields they prefer

Oh, which fields? The webpage I found seems to imply its sort of the broad intersection of physical sciences and healthcare?