Harvard Medical School Acceptance Rate 2024/2025
Founded in 1782, Harvard Medical School (HMS) is the graduate medical school of Harvard University with its main campus in Boston, Massachusetts. HMS is one of the oldest medical schools in the United States.
Harvard Medical School is consistently ranked first for research among medical schools in the United States and World. It is also ranked as one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world. Getting admitted into Harvard Medical School is tricky due to the many applicants and low acceptance rates.
Prospective HMS students must meet the admission requirements and familiarize themselves with Harvard Medical School’s acceptance rate, admission process, and other conditions.
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Harvard Medical School Acceptance Rate 2024
Known as the percentage of applicants a college accepts in an admission year. Harvard Medical School’s acceptance rate is 3.3% for the undergraduate class of 2026. The institution accepts many domestic and international students, making the admission process more competitive.
Typically, international students experience lower college acceptance rates than domestic applicants. Furthermore, the acceptance rate for Harvard Medical School varies between colleges and programs.
To boost your chances of getting accepted into Harvard Medical School, you must understand how the institution accepts in-state and out-of-state and international students.
Breakdown of Harvard Medical School Acceptance Rate
In the Fall of 2022, Harvard Medical School received 6,914 applications for the undergraduate class of 2026, out of which 226 were admitted representing a 3.3% acceptance rate.
HMS Letters of Recommendation Requirement
Harvard Medical School allows applicants to submit up to six letters of reference with the following specifics.
- At least two (2) letters should be from professors in the sciences with whom they have taken classes.
- At least one (1) letter should be written by a professor who is not in the sciences.
- We should receive letters from all research supervisors for applicants to the MD-PhD program as well as applicants to the MD program.
- Applicants may exceed the six (6)-letter maximum if the additional letters are from research supervisors.
- If applicants wish to supplement a premedical advisory committee evaluation packet with additional letters of recommendation, they should count the packet as one (1) letter toward the six (6)-letter maximum.
- We do not require letters of recommendation from employers, but if applicants have been out of school and working they should have a letter sent from their place of employment.
Harvard Medical School Admission Timeline
The admission process starts in the fall season before the year you want to join. Generally, the deadline for the Harvard Medical School admission application is as follows.
ADMISSIONS TIMELINE
| Early May | AMCAS application opens |
| Early June | AMCAS application becomes available for submission |
| Early July | HMS secondary opens and becomes available for submission |
| September | Interviews begin |
| October 15 | Final deadline for AMCAS application |
| October 22 | Final deadline for HMS secondary application and all materials (letters, MCAT scores, etc.) |
| October 31 | AMCAS transcript deadline. All transcripts must be received before this date. |
| January | Interviews conclude |
| Early March | All admissions decisions are sent out via email on the same date, whether candidates are accepted, declined, or waitlisted. Candidates accepted or waitlisted for admission are sent financial aid materials. Families should file tax returns, FAFSA, and Need Access application as soon possible. |
| Mid to Late March | Deadline for submission of all financial aid application materials including tax returns. Evaluation of completed files and email notification of financial aid award letters begins on a rolling basis. |
| April | Admitted Student Preview Days |
| April 17 | Admitted students should narrow their acceptance offers down to three schools. |
| April 30 | Admitted students planning to enroll at HMS must select the “Plan to Enroll” option on the Choose your Medical School tool in their AMCAS application.* |
| June 1 | Admitted students planning to enroll at HMS must select the “Commit to Enroll” option on the Choose Your Medical School tool in their AMCAS application.** |
| Early to Mid June | Immunization and health forms deadline |
| July | Email notification of fall term bill sent to students |
| June 30 | Deadline to submit all transcripts to the admissions office |
| Early August | Matriculation & White Coat Ceremony |
Harvard Medical School Admissions Requirements
Coursework: Harvard requires you to complete the following prerequisites prior to enrolling:
- Behavioral Sciences: One semester to one year. Should include behavioral sciences (e.g. psychology, sociology, etc).
- Biology: One year with lab. Should include cellular and molecular biology.
- Chemistry: Two years with lab. Should include inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry.
- Physics: One year. Lab is preferred but not required. (Note: HST applicants should complete additional calculus-based physics courses.)
- Math: One year, including calculus and statistics. (Note: HST applicants should complete additional math courses, such as differential equations and linear algebra.)
- Writing: One year.
Harvard Medical School Application Fee
Harvard Medical School has a nonrefundable application fee of $100 or a fee waiver for qualified students. You can make your payment either by credit card or by mail, just be sure to follow the instructions in the application.
Harvard Medical School Tuition & Fees
To study at Harvard Medical School you will need to spend a huge sum of money. The cost varies depending on the level of study, major or program, number of credit hours taken, and the school or college you wish to study. Some additional fees include incidental fees, educational supplies, accommodation costs, etc.
- Tuition: $67,610
- Fees: $5,981
Harvard Medical School Scholarships
Many financial aids are available to students studying at Harvard Medical School. These financial supports may be awarded based on need, academic merit, background, specific talents, or professional interest.
Conclusion
The acceptance rate is an essential factor to consider when seeking admission to Harvard Medical School. Also, understanding HMS’s acceptance rate and admission requirement are important as it helps you to plan on how to pursue your program and make the right decisions.
