Admission Requirements for Harvard Medical School

If you’re considering a medical education at Harvard University, the first step is to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for Harvard Medical School (HMS). Located in the Longwood Medical Area of Boston, Massachusetts, HMS is the prestigious graduate medical school of Harvard University.

Students from around the world come to HMS, where they benefit from strong collaborative relationships with both peers and faculty, enriching their knowledge and honing their skills in practical settings.

Like other higher education institutions, HMS has specific eligibility requirements for applicants. The Faculty of Medicine welcomes applications from current students in good standing as well as graduates from accredited colleges and universities who:

Demonstrate strong intellectual and personal credentials that suggest they will succeed in the study and practice of medicine.
Show proficiency in biological and physical sciences during their undergraduate studies, while also engaging with humanities and social sciences.
Have supplemented their education with at least one year of college or university experience in the United States or Canada if they completed their previous studies elsewhere. International students without a bachelor’s or advanced degree from a U.S. or Canadian institution are rarely admitted.
Exhibit fluent and nuanced English communication skills, essential for effective collaboration within healthcare teams and for patient interactions.
Applicants must have completed at least three years of undergraduate education and possess a bachelor’s degree before graduating from HMS. Additionally, all prerequisite courses must be finished prior to graduation.

While it’s not necessary to complete all prerequisite courses before applying, applicants should be aware that these required courses—or the degree programs they are pursuing—must be completed before graduation. Most successful applicants typically finish the majority of these courses before submitting their applications.

Prerequisite subjects include:

Mathematics
Behavioral Sciences
Chemistry
Biology
Physics
Laboratory Experience
Analytical and Expository Writing Skills
It’s important to note that individuals who have previously attended other medical schools are not eligible to apply to the first-year class at Harvard Medical School. Furthermore, applicants who have previously applied to HMS on two occasions are also ineligible, and transfer students are not accepted.