How To Get Into Harvard Medical School In 2023 | Acceptance Rate

There is no doubt that many dreams of getting into Harvard Medical School. However, most are either encouraged or discouraged by their acceptance rate. 

This article will explain this acceptance rate and how you can get into Harvard medical school.

What Is Harvard Medical School Acceptance Rate In 2023

Harvard Medical School’s acceptance rate is the percentage of students admitted to the university. 

The lower your GPA and MCAT scores, the more difficult it is for you to get into Harvard Medical School. 

However, some people with good GPAs may not be able to get in because they don’t do well on their MCATs or they lack extracurricular activities.

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If you’re interested in medical school, you should know that Harvard Medical School is not an easy program.

While it has an acceptance rate of only 12%, there are some things that students can do to increase their chances of being accepted. 

For those admitted into Harvard Medical School, the average class size is about 30 students per year.

However, several programs have a smaller or larger number of accepted students per year, depending on the quality and scope of research conducted by faculty members at this institution. For example, the Neurological Sciences Program.

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Is It Easy To Get Into Harvard Medical School In 2023?

Getting into Harvard Medical School is not easy.

The school has a low acceptance rate and is one of the most competitive medical schools in the United States. But if you’re looking to get into Harvard Medical School, there are things you can do to improve your chances. 

How Are Harvard Medical School Applications Evaluated?

The Admissions Committee evaluates Harvard Medical School applications. 

The Admissions Committee consists of faculty, staff, and current students, and it evaluates each applicant based on the following factors: GPA, MCAT score, extracurricular activities (ECS), letters of recommendation (LORs), and personal statement (SOP).

Factors That Affect Your Chances Of Get Into Harvard Medical School In 2023

In this section, we’ll talk about the factors that affect your chances of getting into Harvard Medical school in 2023:

1. AMCAS

The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) is a hub for medical school applications. 

It was designed to be used by both those applying for the first time and those who have already applied and are reapplying to another school. 

Applicants must register with AMCAS, fill out an online application, submit their transcripts and MCAT scores, send letters of recommendation directly through the service and pay an application fee of $160. 

Once all this information has been submitted and verified by AMCAS, you will receive a letter notifying you if your file has been successfully processed or if further information is required.

2. GPA

You need to understand that GPA is a big factor in the admissions process. 

Harvard Medical School’s acceptance rate for the class of 2021 was 5.3%, and having a high GPA can help you get into this prestigious school. 

However, it’s not the only thing that matters when applying to Harvard Medical School; you also have to check out their other requirements.

A few years ago, they changed how they calculate a student’s GPA, which shifted some people from being accepted to being rejected due to it being too high. 

However, it is unclear whether these changes will continue into future years, so don’t worry too much about having high grades just yet. Let’s talk about how to calculate your GPA currently. 

There are two types of GPAs: cumulative and major. Your cumulative GPA is your average grade across all classes taken at one school.

So if you took three courses and got an A+, B+, and B, respectively, then your cumulative grade point average would be 2.67 (A+ = 4 points; B+ = 3 points; B = 2 points). 

Your major GPA represents the highest grade received in each course within one subject area or field (e.g., biology or psychology), regardless of whether those courses were taken at one institution or multiple institutions over time; hence why we call them “major” versus just “cumulative.”

3. MCAT

The MCAT, also known as Medical College Admission Test, is a standardized legal test required for admission to medical colleges in the United States. 

The MCAT was first introduced in 1928 and has been used by Harvard Medical School since then. 

There are four sections: Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (B/B/L), Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (C/P/S), Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (PSB), Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills – CARS.

The MCAT can be taken up to five years before you apply to medical school, but it may be advantageous to take it earlier so that your results are available when you submit your application. 

This is because if you take the MCAT more than once, only your highest score will be considered for admissions purposes.

4. ECs, LORs, SOPs

ECs, LORs, and SOPs are very important for Harvard Medical School applications because they are a great way for the admissions committee to get to know you as an applicant. 

The more you can do to stand out, the better your chances of being accepted into Harvard.

Harvard Medical School accepts around 8% of its applicants each year. Here is how that breaks down:

  • ECs have a 30% acceptance rate
  • LORs have a 48% acceptance rate
  • SOPs have a 35% acceptance rate.

5. Work Experience

Medical School’s work experience acceptance rate is low, but it can help you stand out as a candidate. No matter where you come from, it’s crucial to understand the medical field and how you will fit into it. 

Additionally, having a job can show that you have good time management skills and maturity before entering medical school.

You should not use this section as an excuse for delays in your application process if other factors are holding back your application.

However, if there has been something preventing you from submitting all of your materials on time or meeting an extenuating circumstance like an illness or family emergency, then this section could help explain why there was a delay in submitting everything by the deadline date.

Students with work experience are generally more competitive because they have demonstrated an ability to handle responsibility and meet deadlines, but this is not guaranteed. 

If you don’t have formal or informal employment history yet, consider volunteering at a hospital or other organization that provides health services, such as Planned Parenthood or Meals on Wheels. 

You may also want to volunteer in your college’s pre-health club for additional opportunities for exposure and networking within the medical field.

Harvard Medical School Requirements

The GPA requirement is different for each applicant. Students with a 3.8 or higher during their undergraduate studies are given preferential treatment, as are students who have taken extra honors classes and extracurriculars. 

The average GPA for accepted students is around 3.9-4.0, but it’s not uncommon for applicants to be accepted with a 3.5 though they may have stellar MCAT scores and ECs. 

Harvard generally accepts less than 10% of applicants each year, so if you’re applying to Harvard Medical School, expect your application to be put under close scrutiny by admissions officers.

Harvard Medical School Eligibility

The main eligibility requirements to apply to Harvard Medical School are as follows:

  • You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • You must be a degree candidate at an accredited college or university. Suppose you’re currently enrolled in medical school. In that case, you may apply for the following year’s entry in the application cycle declared on your AMCAS profile when it opens, usually in early March.
  • You must have completed at least two years of undergraduate study by the time of enrollment into HMS.

Harvard Medical School Application Deadline and Timeline

The Harvard Medical School application deadline is December 1st each year. The Admissions Committee will begin reviewing applications beginning September 12th and expects to complete the review process by early April. 

As a result, applicants should submit their applications within one week of the priority deadline to ensure that the Admissions Office has received all required materials.

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Harvard Medical School Interviews

Before you get to the interview, make sure you’re prepared. Practice your answers and stories. They’ll ask you questions they’ve heard before, so have a basic answer prepared for a common question like “why do you want to become a doctor?” Don’t give a canned response. 

This is one of the worst things you can do. Instead, think about what makes YOU unique and how those qualities would help patients who need your care. 

What experiences in your own life have taught YOU about being compassionate toward others? How does serving as an EMT or volunteering at an animal shelter speak to who YOU are? 

This type of thoughtfulness shows that we know what we want out of medical school and why we believe it will be fulfilling.

FAQs

1. What Percent Of Harvard Students Get Into Medical School?

With an acceptance rate of just 3.5 percent, getting into Harvard Medical School is a challenge for even the best applicants.

2. Is 513 A Good MCAT Score?

Achieving a score of 513 on the MCAT means reaching the 90% percentile.

3. Is A 93 An A At Harvard?

An A letter grade is equivalent to a 4.0 GPA or Grade Point Average on a 4.0 GPA scale and a 93-96 percentile grade.

4. Is Harvard Or Yale Better For Medical?

Harvard scores higher than Yale in the majors and is ranked #1 for life sciences, medicine, and social sciences, whereas Yale is 12th and 8th, respectively. It also ranks second in the arts and humanities, while Yale is sixth.

5. What Kind Of People Get Into Harvard Medical School?

Admission to Harvard Medical School is very selective. We seek students of integrity and maturity who have concern for others, leadership potential, and an aptitude for working with people.

6. What Is A B+ At Harvard?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences averages its letter grades with a 4-point scale: A = 4.00, A- = 3.67, B+ = 3.33, B = 3.00, B- = 2.67, C+ = 2.33, C = 2.00, C- = 1.67, D+ = 1.33, D = 1.00, D- = 0.67.

7. Is Oxford Better Than Harvard?

In the 2022 QS World University Rankings, Oxford is ranked second, Cambridge is joint third, and Harvard is fifth. In contrast, the Times Higher Education Rankings rank Oxford first, Harvard second, and Cambridge fifth.

8. What Is The Secret To Getting Into Harvard?

The average high school GPA of students admitted to Harvard’s class of 2025 was 4.2, and nearly three-quarters of them had a 4.0. The best way to improve your chances of admission is to have extremely strong academics—and to complete the most challenging courses available.

9. What Kind Of Students Does Harvard Look For?

We seek to identify students who will be the best educators for each other and their professors—individuals who will inspire those around them throughout their years in college and beyond.

10. Is Above 93 An A?

An A letter grade is equivalent to a 4.0 GPA or Grade Point Average on a 4.0 GPA scale and a 93-96 percentile grade.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you now know better how to Get into Harvard Medical School in 2023. Harvard Medical School is one of the best medical schools in the world, and it can be extremely difficult to get into. 

However, with careful planning, you can increase your chances. 

The most important factor has an excellent application that demonstrates your motivation for medicine, strong academic performance, leadership potential, and community service. 

Don’t hesitate to share with friends and family. 

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