In this guide, we’ll go over how to get into Harvard Medical School (HMS), its acceptance rate, key admissions requirements and deadlines, and tips on how to stand out.
If you’re just here for the requirements, click here.
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Harvard Medical School’s acceptance rate is approximately 2.09%. According to the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) database, an official AAMC resource that reports GPA, MCAT medians, and admissions data, there were 7,890 verified applications in the 2024 admissions cycle. Of these applicants, only 165 students matriculated.
Here’s a closer look at Harvard Medical School’s acceptance rate over the past five years, as reported by AAMC:
Year
Number of Applicants
Number of Matriculated Students
Acceptance Rate
2024
7,890
165
2.09%
2023
7,886
163
2.06%
2022
7,796
164
2.10%
2021
9,195
164
1.78%
2020
7,463
168
2.25%
Over the past five years, the HMS has remained highly competitive, with an average acceptance of 2.09%. On average, about 8,046 students applied each year for roughly 168 seats. These averages show students that HMS’s selectivity is long-standing, so success depends on building a strong, well-rounded application every year.
How Hard Is It to Get Into Harvard Medical School?
It is extremely difficult to get into Harvard Medical School. In the 2024 admissions cycle, HMS had an acceptance rate of just 2.09%. That means only about 2 out of every 100 applicants were admitted, while roughly 98 were rejected. To put it in perspective, HMS received 7,890 applications for just 165 seats. That means the school could have filled its entire incoming class more than 48 times over with the number of students who applied.
The Harvard Medical School Admissions Difficulty Scale was created by comparing acceptance rates and overall selectivity across all accredited US medical schools.
What is Harvard Medical School's Acceptance Rate for In-State Applicants?
Harvard Medical School’s acceptance rate for in-state applicants is approximately 3.8%. The MSAR reports that 605 in-state applicants applied during the 2024 admissions cycle and only 23 applicants matriculated.
These 605 in-state HMS applicants made up 7.67% of all 7,890 applicants in the 2024 admissions cycle.
What is Harvard Medical School's Acceptance Rate for Out-of-State Applicants?
Harvard Medical School’s acceptance rate for out-of-state applicants is approximately 1.94%. According to MSAR, 6,787 out-of-state applicants applied to HMS’ 2024 application cycle and only 132 students matriculated.
Out-of-state students made up 86.02% of Harvard Medical School’s 2024 applicant pool. This large percentage is likely because HMS attracts a disproportionately high number of out-of-state and international applicants due to its global reputation, extensive research opportunities, and generous financial aid.
What is Harvard Medical School's Acceptance Rate for International Students?
Harvard Medical School’s acceptance rate for international students is approximately 2.01%. The MSAR reports that 498 international students applied to Harvard’s 2024 application cycle, of which only 10 matriculated.
International students accounted for only 6.31% of Harvard Medical School’s 2024 applicant pool, likely due to the selectivity of HMS and the challenge of applying to US medical schools.
How Many People Apply to Harvard Medical School Every Year?
An average of 8,046 students applied to Harvard Medical School over the past five years, according to AAMC reports. However, there was a significant spike in applicants in 2021, when 9,195 students applied, compared to around 7,800 to 7,900 in the other years. This suggests that the number of applicants each year is typically closer to 7,800, with 2021 being an outlier likely influenced by pandemic-related factors.
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Harvard Medical School Admissions Statistics
Harvard Medical School Median MCAT Score: 521
Harvard Medical School’s median MCAT score is 521. As reported in the MSAR database, the students who matriculated to HMS’s 2024 application cycle had:
MCAT Section
Median Score
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
130
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)
129
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
131
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
131
HMS does not set a minimum MCAT score requirement.
To put Harvard Medical School’s median MCAT score into perspective, a 521 score falls in the 98th percentile of all test-takers in 2022, 2023, and 2024. This percentile means only 2% of test-takers can achieve it. In contrast, the average MCAT score of applicants and matriculants from 2018-2019 through 2023-2024 is 506.3. Students must score 14.7 points above the average to meet HMS’ median score.
Here’s a full breakdown of how Harvard Medical School’s successful 2024 applicants scored on the MCAT:
MCAT Score Percentiles of HMS Matriculants
MCAT Score
10th Percentile
515
25th Percentile
517
50th Percentile
521
75th Percentile
524
90th Percentile
524
What MCAT Score Makes You Competitive at Harvard Medical School?
A 521+ MCAT score makes you competitive at Harvard Medical School.
Based on the most recent AAMC data for HMS:
• Median MCAT score for admitted students: 521
• 10th–90th percentile range: About 515–524
• National percentile for a 521: 98th percentile
What this means for competitiveness:
• A 521+ score places you in the range of most successful HMS applicants.
• Scores between 518–519 can still be competitive if paired with an exceptional GPA, strong research, significant clinical experience, and unique extracurricular achievements.
• Scores below 517 make admission extremely challenging unless paired with extraordinary qualifications (e.g., national awards, extensive research, or exceptional leadership in healthcare).
Harvard Medical School Median GPA: 3.97
Harvard Medical School’s overall median GPA is 3.97. HMS does not have a minimum GPA requirement.
Harvard Medical School’s median GPA is 3.97, but its mean GPA is 3.94. In 2023-2024, all medical school applicants and matriculants had an average overall GPA of 3.64. This means HMS’ average GPA is about 83% closer to the maximum possible GPA of 4.0 than the national average applicant’s GPA.
Let’s take a closer look at the range of scores the successful HMS 2024 applicants had:
Total GPA Percentiles of HMS Matriculants
GPA
10th Percentile
3.86
25th Percentile
3.91
50th Percentile
3.97
75th Percentile
4.0
90th Percentile
4.0
What GPA Makes You Competitive at Harvard Medical School?
A 3.97 GPA makes you competitive at Harvard Medical School. A 3.97 GPA places you at the median for admitted students and well within the school’s typical admitted range.
Based on the most recent AAMC data for HMS:
• Median GPA for admitted students: 3.97
• 10th–90th percentile: 3.86–4.00
What this means for competitiveness:
• A 3.97+ GPA puts you firmly in the range of most successful HMS applicants.
• GPAs between 3.91–3.96 can still be competitive if supported by an exceptional MCAT score, strong research, meaningful clinical experience, and standout extracurriculars.
• GPAs below 3.90 make admission highly challenging unless paired with truly extraordinary achievements such as groundbreaking research, national recognition, or unique leadership in healthcare.
Harvard Medical School Median Science GPA: 3.96
Harvard Medical School’s median science GPA is 3.96. Let’s take a closer look at the science GPA percentiles of HMS matriculants from last year:
Science GPA Percentiles of HMS Matriculants
GPA
10th Percentile
3.81
25th Percentile
3.91
50th Percentile
3.96
75th Percentile
4.0
90th Percentile
4.0
What Science GPA Makes You Competitive at Harvard Medical School?
A 3.96 science GPA makes you competitive at Harvard Medical School.
Based on the most recent AAMC data for HMS:
• Median science GPA for admitted students: 3.96
• 10th–90th percentile: 3.81–4.00
What this means for competitiveness:
• A 3.96+ science GPA puts you squarely in the range of most successful HMS applicants.
• Science GPAs between 3.91–3.95 can still be competitive if paired with an exceptional overall GPA, high MCAT score, and strong research or clinical experience.
• Science GPAs below 3.90 make admission significantly more challenging unless supported by extraordinary achievements, such as major research publications, national recognition, or leadership in impactful scientific or healthcare initiatives.
Don't settle for a 2.3% acceptance rate. Boost your odds with former admissions officers now.
One year (one semester in calculus and preferably biostatistics)
Physics
Required
One year (preferably calculus-based physics)
These HMS coursework prerequisites reflect the minimum recommended duration in each subject. To strengthen your application, consider exceeding these minimums by taking additional advanced courses in the core disciplines.
Harvard Medical School Secondary Application
HMS has three long-form secondary essay prompts that students may need to answer. Some of these prompts only apply to reapplicants and those who wish to share an important aspect of their personal background or identity not addressed elsewhere in the application.
There is also an additional secondary essay prompt that Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology (HST) applicants must respond to.
Harvard Medical School Interview Format
Harvard Medical School uses a traditional interview format for its admissions process. Applicants typically participate in two virtual one-on-one interviews: one with a faculty member and one with a current medical student or admissions committee member. These interviews are open-file, meaning the interviewer has access to the applicant’s full application in advance.
What is Harvard Medical School's Interview Rate?
Harvard Medical School’s interview rate is 9.59%.
According to the MSAR, HMS interviewed 757 of the 7,890 students who applied during the 2024 admissions cycle.
Of the total 757 students interviewed:
• 92 were in-state students
• 635 were out-of-state students
• 30 were international students
This means only:
• 15.21% of in-state students
• 9.36% of out-of-state students
• 6.02% of international students
were interviewed.
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How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Into Harvard Medical School
Here are some tips to get into Harvard Medical School.
Understand What Harvard Medical School’s Admissions Committee Is Looking For and Show It Thoughtfully
To craft a strong application, you must understand what Harvard Medical School is looking for in competitive applicants. HMS says its most successful applicants:
“reflect an extraordinary diversity of accomplishments, talents, interests, and backgrounds.”
But beyond that, they share a common core: purpose, intrinsic motivation, and a commitment to medicine as a form of service. Here’s exactly what Harvard Medical School is looking for, what these traits mean, and examples of how to best show them:
Category
What It Means
How to Show It In Your Application
Diversity of Accomplishments
A broad range of meaningful achievements, not limited to academics.
Include leadership roles, community projects, research output, creative work, or public service. Use your personal statement and activities list to highlight your unique path and sustained contributions.
Diversity of Talents
Distinct skills that reveal discipline and character, such as artistic, athletic, linguistic, or technical talents.
Share stories or activities that showcase your talent. Show how it has helped you grow or think differently. For example, mastering a musical instrument or excelling in coding competitions.
Diversity of Interests
Intellectual curiosity that spans disciplines, especially in the humanities or social sciences.
Reference relevant coursework, reading, or projects. If you majored in philosophy or explored ethics, use your essays to explain how it shaped your worldview and approach to medicine.
Diversity of Backgrounds
Life experiences, identities, or challenges that shape your perspective and resilience.
Use your personal statement or secondary essays to reflect on cultural, geographic, or socioeconomic influences. Focus on how these have prepared you to care for diverse patients.
Purpose
A clear and compelling reason for pursuing medicine rooted in experience and reflection.
Share a defining moment or experience in your path to med school. Avoid generic motivations. Explain why medicine, not just health care. is the right path for you and why now is the right time.
Intrinsic Motivation
Long-term commitment and follow-through across your academic or service journey.
Highlight consistent effort over time. Some examples include years of tutoring, sustained lab research, or long-term involvement in a clinic or community organization.
Commitment to Service
A genuine desire to help others, especially in complex or underserved settings.
Describe what you did and how it made a difference. Reflect on what you learned and how it shaped your desire to serve in medicine. Prioritize depth over quantity.
Go Beyond the Sciences and Excel Across Disciplines
Many applicants believe that excelling in biology, chemistry, and physics is enough for top medical schools. While these are essential, Harvard Medical School is explicit about wanting students with a broader academic foundation.
The HMS Committee on Admissions has emphasized that while students must demonstrate strong aptitude in the biological and physical sciences, Harvard’s ideal candidates also possess:
“A well-balanced academic background that includes the humanities and social sciences.”
Many pre-med students assume that excelling in chemistry or biology is enough, but at HMS, your intellectual range matters. Majoring in the humanities or taking courses in philosophy, literature, ethics, and sociology helps develop the kind of nuanced thinking, empathy, and communication skills that world-class physicians need. A strong GPA in these areas signals that you’re a holistic thinker who is capable of understanding patients as whole people.
If you’ve engaged deeply with the humanities in college, be sure to make that clear in your application. Use your personal statement and secondary essays to reflect on how your academic diversity has shaped your approach to medicine. HMS is not only looking for students who can master science. HMS is looking for thinkers who can connect knowledge across disciplines to care for people in all their complexity.
Lead with Impact, Not Just Titles
Leadership at HMS is about substance, not status. What matters most is the initiative you took, the responsibility you carried, and the difference you made.
“We are looking for students who have the potential to be the future ‘physician leaders’ in society… the emphasis is on ‘physician’ above all else. Having the impact on human health that we hope for begins with our students learning to be the most outstanding doctors they can possibly be for their patients.”
This statement reflects Harvard's deep belief that leadership is about serving others through clinical excellence, innovation, and community engagement.
To stand out, applicants should share examples of leadership driven by purpose, like organizing health initiatives in underserved areas or mentoring at-risk youth. The strongest applicants show that their leadership is rooted in compassion, action, and a clear commitment to advancing human health.
These values are echoed in the extracurricular profiles of students admitted to Harvard’s 2024 class:
86% engaged in community service or volunteer work
94% completed medical or clinical volunteer service
With so many matriculants engaged in community service and clinical volunteering, it’s clear that HMS values leadership rooted in real-world impact. Applicants who can link their own initiatives to measurable benefits in health and well-being will align strongly with the school’s mission.
Prioritize Your Interest in Patient Care, Not the Prestige of HMS
Harvard Medical School carries immense prestige, and many applicants are drawn to it for that reason. But, you should avoid referencing the school’s ranking, name recognition, or status in your personal statement, secondary essays, or interview.
Harvard’s mission is patient-centered. As Chang puts it:
“For us, the ultimate stakeholder in our medical education program is not the student but the patient, and we emphasize that from day one.”
This means your application should reflect a commitment to service, care, and clinical impact, not a desire for status. Admissions officers are looking for students who are driven by responsibility, not recognition, and they tend to admit those who demonstrate this clearly. In fact, 96% of admitted students in the 2024 cycle had physician shadowing or clinical observation experience, and 100% had research or lab experience.
These numbers tell a story: successful applicants are the ones who sought out hands-on opportunities to better understand patient care and the scientific foundations of medicine. They’re not just chasing a name; they’re pursuing a calling.
Your application should reflect that your desire to study medicine is anchored in responsibility and purpose. Rather than focusing solely on your ambitions or personal goals, center your narrative around the people you hope to serve. Talk about the real-world problems that drive you, the healthcare issues that move you, and the kind of doctor you want to be for your patients.
98% of our students get into med school on their first try—find out how
Two tracks: Pathways (focus on early clinical experience, active learning, scholarly project) and HST (joint with MIT, geared toward research-focused students)
M.D./Master of Academic Discipline (M.A.D.)
5 years (includes 1-year MAD)
Offered after the 3rd year; available in Bioethics, Biomedical Informatics, and Healthcare Quality & Safety
M.D./Master of Medical Science (M.M.Sc.)
5 years (includes 1-year MMSc)
Offered after the 3rd year; available in Clinical Investigation, Global Health Delivery, Immunology, and Medical Education
M.D./PhD
7-9 years
Joint Harvard/MIT program through HMS Pathways or HST track; offers extensive research opportunities across Harvard, MIT, and affiliated hospitals.
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Harvard Medical School Tuition and Scholarships
Harvard Medical School’s tuition for the 2025-2026 year is $73,874. Fees for the school year come up to an additional $6,855 a year. However, the total cost to attend Harvard Medical School as a first-year student is estimated to be $117,351.
Here’s a breakdown of the total cost of attending HMS as a first-year student:
Expense Type
Cost
Tuition
$73,874
Mandatory Fees
$2,547
Health Insurance Fees
$4,308
Loan Fees
$257
Living Expenses
$32,760
Books & Supplies
$3,606
Total Cost of Attendance
$117,351
How Much Is Harvard Medical School For 4 Years?
Harvard Medical School is estimated to cost $476,264 over the four-year MD program. Here’s a breakdown of the total cost of attendance each year.
$117,351 for year 1
$119,985 for year 2
$119,980 for year 3
$118,948 for year 4
Scholarships
Harvard Medical School offers generous need-based scholarships, with 50% of MD students benefiting annually from its Middle Income Initiative, which reduces the expected contribution from middle-income families.
For students with full financial need, HMS scholarships can cover the entire cost of tuition and mandatory fees. Select incoming students may also be nominated for the Dean’s REACH Scholarship, a four-year award recognizing resilience, compassion, and a commitment to underserved communities.
HMS secondary application sent to all applicants and applications processed
September, 2025
Interviews begin
October 15, 2025
AMCAS application deadline
October 22, 2025
Secondary application deadline
October 30, 2025
AMCAS transcript deadline
January, 2026
Interviews end
Early March, 2026
All admissions decisions are sent out via email on the same date, whether candidates are accepted, declined, or waitlisted
Mid to Late March, 2026
Deadline for all financial aid application materials
June 2, 2026
Students must “Commit to Enroll” to HMS
FAQs
1. How Can I Get Into Harvard Medical School With a Scholarship?
To get into Harvard Medical School (HMS) with a scholarship, you must first gain admission and then qualify for need-based financial aid, which is the only type of scholarship HMS offers. HMS does not offer merit-based scholarships. All scholarship funding is determined solely by financial need, based on your family’s income and assets.
Once admitted, students must submit detailed financial information through the HMS Financial Aid application. Students from families earning under $100,000 typically receive substantial aid, and 1 in 5 aid recipients come from families earning under $50,000. HMS offers multiple scholarship opportunities.
2. Can International Students Get Scholarships at HMS?
Yes, international students are eligible for the same need-based aid as US students. Harvard Medical School does not differentiate by citizenship when awarding financial aid. International students can apply for the full range of HMS scholarships, including those that may cover tuition and fees entirely based on demonstrated financial need.
Final Thoughts
With an acceptance rate of just 2.7%, every part of your application must be strategically crafted to meet HMS’s high standards. Our Harvard Medical School admissions counselors offer expert advice to boost your application. They specialize in helping applicants build data-driven, school-specific strategies that highlight their strengths and align with what HMS values most.
From selecting the right experiences to emphasize to navigating HMS’s rigorous financial aid and scholarship process, our experts provide step-by-step support rooted in firsthand experience.
Book a free consultation today to learn more about how our experts can maximize your chances of acceptance to HMS!
Dr. Jonathan Preminger was the original author of this article. Snippets of his work may remain.
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