Harvard HST vs. NP

[TupacalipseT96]

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So I was browsing the Harvard HST website and the HST program looks pretty gangsta. Anyone know if they automatically place you in either HST or NP? Can you designate which program you'd prefer?

I already submitted my primary app but it didn't mention anything about HST vs New Pathways. Is this something that comes with the secondaries maybe?

Any info about HST or getting into HST would be much appreciated.

 

[PowerButton]

There are a couple of threads on the forums about it - here's one of them; they aren't directly talking about HST in particular but there is some info on it

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=6190809

Happy digging!

 

[RandomBlackManX]

HST is much, much more rigorous than NP with regard to both academics and class schedule. When you get the secondary, you'll have the option of applying to NP, HST, or both (HST requires an additional essay, however). I think there are approximately 30 kids HST and 165 New Pathway.

 

[TupacalipseT96]

HST is much, much more rigorous than NP with regard to both academics and class schedule

By rigorous, do you mean in topic difficulty or in volume? I would actually prefer a more engineering-like learning format than plug and chug memorization if that is what you mean, but if you just mean more and more rote volume then I have my doubts.

And is it rigorous in a clearly productive sense? ie. Could the additional rigor directly improve preparation for Step I maybe? I'm looking for a justification for making a hellish 4 years of my life even more hellish.

 

[RandomBlackManX]

By rigorous, do you mean in topic difficulty or in volume? I would actually prefer a more engineering-like learning format than plug and chug memorization if that is what you mean, but if you just mean more and more rote volume then I have my doubts.

Both.

And is it rigorous in a clearly productive sense? ie. Could the additional rigor directly improve preparation for Step I maybe? I'm looking for a justification for making a hellish 4 years of my life even more hellish.

HST is heavily geared towards training physician scientists whereas NP cultivates clinician excellence (from my understanding). I have no idea if HST students perform better than NP students on Step 1, but that's neither the goal nor purpose of HST.

You will disappear for months on end in HST; if that's how you like to get down, go for it. Not me. 🙂

 

[ar2388]

i thought HST was essentially an MD/PhD program? with MIT?

 

[RPedigo]

i thought HST was essentially an MD/PhD program? with MIT?

You can do MD-only at HST if you wish (although HST is partnered with MIT), and you can actually also do MD/PhD at NP if you wish. Of course, the opposite is also true; you can do MD-only at NP and MD/PhD at HST. RBMX's assessment is accurate... plus, he goes to Harvard Medical School 😉