harvard medical school essays

Harvard Medical School Secondary Essays: Tips To Stand Out & Prompts

• Cracking Med School Admissions

The most important tip to keep in mind as you write your Harvard Medical School secondary essays is to make sure you have a vision to change healthcare and that you show ways in which you’ve already tried to pursue that vision through your extra-curricular activities. Getting accepted to Harvard Medical School (HMS) is hard. Very hard. Submitting an OUTSTANDING Harvard Medical School secondary application is vital to receiving an interview invite, which ultimately can lead to an acceptance. If you have questions about how to write your Harvard secondary essays, contact us below or email us at [email protected] . We have numerous mentees get interviewed and accepted to Harvard Medical School (Pathways, HST, and MSTP) throughout the years!

HMS loves to recruit the best of the best, students from all backgrounds. Therefore, almost all med school applicants receive a Harvard secondary application.

Questions for Harvard Medical School do not change year to year. This is a good medical school secondary to pre-write. Harvard secondaries have large character limit, so it’s like writing more personal statements. However, there are not too many Harvard Medical School secondary essays, so we think this is an excellent school to start pre-writing without feeling burned out.

Our Cracking Med School Admissions team has a track record of helping our mentees receive acceptances to Harvard University Medical School year after year. We are successful in helping students receive acceptances to  both HST and Pathways. Get started and read our Harvard Medical School secondary application tips below. To learn more about student life, read our popular blog post How to Get Into Harvard Medical School + School Profile . 

• Personally Tailored Essays
• Edits by Stanford & Harvard-trained Doctors
• We study your application strengths to see what unique attributes we’ll bring to the medical school

Harvard Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts 2024 - 2025

Harvard medical school pathways essay prompts:.

• Marital Status
• Are your parents/guardians Harvard Medical School alumni (MD or MD-PhD) or faculty members?
• On average how many hours per week did you devote to employment during the academic year?
• If you have already graduated, briefly ( 4000 characters maximum ) summarize your activities since graduation.
• If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity not addressed elsewhere in the application  that may illuminate how you could contribute to the medical school and that you would like to share with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, or other aspects of your personal or family background to place your prior academic achievements in context or provide further information about your motivation for a career in medicine or the perspectives you might bring to the medical school community. Many applicants will not need to answer this question ( 4,000 characters maximum ).
• The interview season for the 2024-2025 cycle will be held virtually and is anticipated to run from mid-September through January 2025. Please indicate any significant (three or more weeks) restriction on your availability for interviews  during this period.  If none, please leave this section blank  ( 1000 characters maximum ).

HST Essay Prompts:

Instructions: The HST MD program draws on the combined resources of Harvard and MIT to provide a distinct preclinical education tailored to preparing students for careers as transformative physicians who will shape the future practice of medicine. Our students come from the full spectrum of disciplines including biological, physical, engineering and social sciences. HST classes are small, commonly include graduate students and have an emphasis on quantitative and analytic approaches. The unique HST pre-clinical curriculum prepares students well for the HMS clinical education while also emphasizing disease mechanisms and preparing students to solve critical unmet needs in medicine and healthcare (ranging from novel diagnostics and therapeutics to applications of ‘big data’ and systems engineering). Please focus on how your interests, experiences and aspirations have prepared you for HST (rather than identifying specific HST faculty or research opportunities). ( 4000 character maximum ) Limit your comments to the equivalent of one page of single-spaced text with a font size of 10 or 12.

MD/PhD Essay Prompts:

• Briefly list your research interests/areas; use keywords only. This information is not binding. (100 characters max)
• Please list publications, indicating for each whether it is published, submitted/under review, or in preparation. Limited to (1,000 characters  max – including spaces).
• Describe your reasons and motivations for pursuing a graduate degree in your chosen program of study at Harvard. What experiences led you to your research ambitions? Concisely state your past work in your intended field of study and in related fields. Briefly indicate your career objectives. Your statement should not exceed 1,000 words. Health Policy applicants should indicate the concentration(s) and policy area(s) of interest.

For other Social Science PhD Programs, please refer to Program Details for any additional instructions pertaining to this essay.

Tips to Answer Harvard Medical School  Secondary Essays

Harvard Secondaries Pre-writing Guidance: Questions for Harvard Medical School do not change year to year. This is a good medical school secondary to pre-write. From our extensive experience, Harvard is not a time-sensitive medical school, so you do not need to rush to submit this Harvard Medical School secondary application.

• Download our   Cracking Med Secondary Essay Workbook and Examples .

Harvard Medical School Secondary Application Tip #1: Highlight your leadership, passion to change healthcare, and impact on society. We cannot emphasize this enough! If you step inside Harvard Medical School and talk to medical students, they are all passionate about advancing and improving healthcare! You have to exude that same passion to the admissions committee in your Harvard Medical School secondary essays. The Harvard secondaries questions are geared towards learning more about you academic achievements, extra-curricular activity impact, and motivations to change medicine.

Harvard Medical School Secondary Application Tip #2: Remember, diversity does not necessarily mean your ethnic diversity. We recommend students write about their strengths, including exceptional extracurricular activity endeavors. Read our tips on diversity essays when answering the question, “ If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity, not addressed elsewhere in the application, that you would like to share with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Many applicants will not need to answer this question. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, identification with a minority culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. Briefly explain how such factors have influenced your motivation for a career in medicine. ” You can literally write about anything. Our students who get accepted to HMS typically write about exceptional leadership experiences or times when they created an impact in the world.

Most applicants will first go to writing about their family background – particularly their family’s immigrant background – when they see a diversity prompt. While that is not incorrect, Drs. Rizal and Mediratta ask: Is this the best topic to make you stand out? What Harvard Medical School secondary essay topic will best convey your leadership and vision to the admissions committee? 

• You can read more high yield tips and a sample diversity essay in our blog post:   How to Write a Strong Medical School Diversity Essay And Examples

Harvard Medical School Secondary Application Tip #3: Discuss your vision your change healthcare. When the admissions committee reads your application, it needs to be clear how you will make an impact in medicine. The Harvard Med Admissions Committee wants to recruit a student body that has many diverse, exciting, innovative ideas to improve healthcare. For some people, they will discover a new drug for autoimmune diseases. For other applicants, they may build healthcare programs that improve healthcare disparities. Your vision does not  have to be research-oriented. Have questions about how you can stand out and convey your vision?  Contact us  below. Need editing help on your secondary? We can help you through our  secondary essay packages . This is a popular secondary premedical students seek our help with. We have helped applicants get accepted into HMS every year. We have several mentees who are medical students, residents, and faculty members at Harvard Medical School – so we know this school well!

Harvard Medical School Secondary Application Tip #4: It is important to include stories in your Harvard secondaries. Each Harvard Pathways essay has a 4,000 word character limit. Similar to our tips to write a successful a personal statement, the most compelling Harvard Medical School secondary essays will convey themes and stories to the Harvard Admissions Committee. Tell stories to convey your impact and leadership. For example, if you conducted research over a gap year, tell a story about a challenge you faced or a patient you met while conducting a clinical trial. If you led a health education campaign in the community, you can discuss a story about teaching a workshop and improving the understanding of community members’ health awareness. Some students have written about how their clinical experiences inspired them to make bigger changes in healthcare (created a new health program or started a new research project because of insights they gained through patient care).

Harvard Medical School Secondary Application Tip #5: For those applying to the HST program, look at the program details. In your essays, make sure to exhibit your critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a specific area of interest that advances medicine. Many of the strong HST essays Dr. Rishi Mediratta and Dr. Rachel Rizal have read included a combination of good writing + a very clear narrative of the applicant’s interests to change medicine + a very clear vision to change healthcare. Many HST applicants will write technical skills they have developed through their premed journeys. 

Harvard Medical School Secondary Appliaction Tip #6: Don’t forget to incorporate a little bit about “Why Harvard Medical School” throughout the essay(s) you respond to. Talk about projects, programs and research you want to do at Harvard. Harvard has excellent programs outside of medicine, so feel free to write about your aspirations with Harvard Business School, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the Harvard Kennedy School, and other graduate programs throughout the entire University. Read our school profile on Harvard Medical School.  Read our Cracking Med School Admissions advice and an example for answering  why this medical school ? 

Harvard Medical School Secondary Application Tip #7: For the Harvard-MIT HST essays, make sure your previous research is directly related to the research you want to do during medical school. Many students convey how their prior work has looked at a field of science in a new light. They discuss skills they learned during their previous projects. These skills include: specific research techniques, computational analysis, statistical background, knowledge in a particular area of medicine, ability to present at conferences, and experiences with relevant clinical patients (if applicable). 

[ Read more secondary essay tips: Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) , Yale School of Medicine , Columbia University Vagelos , Weill Cornell Medicine  ]

Your medical school application Coaches, Mentors, & Cheerleaders

We Personally Advise Every Student We Work With.

Rachel Rizal, M.D.

Changing the trajectory of people’s lives.

Undergraduate Princeton University, cum laude

Medical School Stanford School of Medicine

Residency Harvard, Emergency Medicine

Awards & Scholarships Fulbright Scholar USA Today Academic First Team Tylenol Scholarship

Rishi Mediratta, M.D., M.Sc., M.A.

Advising students to attend their dream schools.

Undergraduate Johns Hopkins University, Phi Beta Kappa

Residency Stanford, Pediatrics

Awards & Scholarships Marshall Scholar Tylenol Scholarship Global Health Scholar

stand out from other applicants with our secondary essay edit packages

Download your secondary essay guide.

Use this essay guide and workbook to write standout secondaries.

• First Name *
• Best Email *
• Year Applying to Medical School *
• Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Harvard Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts 2023 - 2024

• If you have already graduated, briefly summarize your activities since graduation. (4000 characters max)
• If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity not addressed elsewhere in the application that may illuminate how you could contribute to the medical school and that you would like to share with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, or other aspects of your personal or family background to place your prior academic achievements in context or provide further information about your motivation for a career in medicine or the perspectives you might bring to the medical school community. Many applicants will not need to answer this question.  (4000 characters max)  Wording changed slightly from the 2022-2023 cycle
• (Optional) The Committee on Admissions understands that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted applicants in various ways. If you wish to inform the Committee as to how these events have affected you and have not already done so elsewhere in your application, please use this space to do so. (This is an optional essay; the Committee on Admissions will make no judgment based on your decision to provide a statement or not.) (4000 characters max)
• (If Applicable) The interview season for the 2023-2024 cycle will be held virtually and is anticipated to run from mid-September through January 2024. Please indicate any significant (three or more weeks) restriction on your availability for interviews during this period. If none, please leave this section blank. ( 1000 characters )

Instructions: The HST MD program draws on the combined resources of Harvard and MIT to provide a distinct preclinical education tailored to preparing students for careers as transformative physicians who will shape the future practice of medicine. Our students come from the full spectrum of disciplines including biological, physical, engineering and social sciences. HST classes are small, commonly include graduate students and have an emphasis on quantitative and analytic approaches. The unique HST pre-clinical curriculum prepares students well for the HMS clinical education while also emphasizing disease mechanisms and preparing students to solve critical unmet needs in medicine and healthcare (ranging from novel diagnostics and therapeutics to applications of ‘big data’ and systems engineering). Please focus on how your interests, experiences and aspirations have prepared you for HST (rather than identifying specific HST faculty or research opportunities). Limit your comments to the equivalent of one page of single-spaced text with a font size of 10 or 12.

Harvard Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts 2022 - 2023

• If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity, not addressed elsewhere in the application, that you would like to share with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Many applicants will not need to answer this question. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, identification with a minority culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. Briefly explain how such factors have influenced your motivation for a career in medicine. (4000 characters max)

Instructions: The HST MD program draws on the combined resources of Harvard and MIT to provide a distinct preclinical education tailored to preparing students for careers as transformative physicians who will shape the future practice of medicine. Our students come from the full spectrum of disciplines including biological, physical, engineering and social sciences. HST classes are small, commonly include graduate students and have an emphasis on quantitative and analytic approaches. The unique HST pre-clinical curriculum prepares students well for the HMS clinical education while also emphasizing disease mechanisms and preparing students to solve critical unmet needs in medicine and healthcare (ranging from novel diagnostics and therapeutics to applications of ‘big data’ and systems engineering).

Please focus on how your interests, experiences and aspirations have prepared you for HST (rather than identifying specific HST faculty or research opportunities). Limit your comments to the equivalent of one page of single-spaced text with a font size of 10 or 12.

Our students successfully receive interviews at their reach schools.

Stand Out From Other Applicants

School Secondary Editing Packages

Why choose us.

Your acceptance can be just one essay away…

Harvard Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts 2021 - 2022

Harvard medical school secondary application essay prompts 2020-2021.

• If you have already graduated, briefly  summarize your activities since graduation.  (4,000 characters max)
• If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity, not addressed elsewhere in the application, that you would like to share with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Many applicants will not need to answer this question. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, identification with a minority culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. Briefly explain how such factors have influenced your motivation for a career in medicine.  (4,000 characters max)
• The Committee on Admissions understands that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted applicants in various ways. If you wish to inform the Committee as to how these events have affected you and have not already done so elsewhere in your application, please use this space to do so. (This is an optional essay; the Committee on Admissions will make no judgment based on your decision to provide a statement or not.)  (4,000 characters max)

The HST MD program draws on the combined resources of Harvard and MIT to provide a distinct preclinical education tailored to preparing students for careers as transformative physicians who will shape the future practice of medicine. Our students come from the full spectrum of disciplines including biological, physical, engineering and social sciences. HST classes are small, commonly include graduate students and have an emphasis on quantitative and analytic approaches. The unique HST pre-clinical curriculum prepares students well for the HMS clinical education while also emphasizing disease mechanisms and preparing students to solve critical unmet needs in medicine and healthcare (ranging from novel diagnostics and therapeutics to applications of ‘big data’ and systems engineering).

• Please focus on how your interests, experiences and aspirations have prepared you for HST (rather than identifying specific HST faculty or research opportunities). Limit your comments to the equivalent of one page of single-spaced text with a font size of 10 or 12.  (4,000 characters max)

Harvard Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts 2019-2020

• If you have already graduated, briefly summarize your activities since graduation. (4,000 characters max) 
• If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity, not addressed elsewhere in the application, that you would like to share with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Many applicants will not need to answer this question. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, identification with a minority culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. Briefly explain how such factors have influenced your motivation for a career in medicine. (4,000 characters max)
• Our interview season runs from mid-September through January. Please indicate any significant (three or more weeks) restriction on your availability for interviews during this period. If none, leave blank.

Harvard Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts 2018-2019

Instructions: The HST MD program draws on the combined resources of Harvard and MIT to provide a distinct preclinical education tailored to preparing students for careers as physician-scientists across the full spectrum of disciplines including biological, physical and engineering sciences. HST classes are small, commonly include graduate students and have an emphasis on quantitative and analytic approaches, centered on understanding disease mechanisms and preparing students to solve unmet needs in medicine ranging from novel diagnostics and therapeutics to applications of ‘big data’ and systems engineering as they relate to healthcare.

• Please focus on how your interests, experiences and aspirations have prepared you for HST (rather than identifying specific HST faculty or research opportunities). Limit your comments to the equivalent of one page of single spaced text with a font size of 10 or 12. (4,000 characters max)
• Please list publications, indicating for each whether it is published, submitted/under review, or in preparation.
• For PhD’s in the social sciences only, please complete the following and upload where indicated:

Statement of Purpose:

Describe your reasons and motivations for pursuing a graduate degree in your chosen program of study at Harvard. What experiences led you to your research ambitions? Concisely state your past work in your intended field of study and in related fields. Briefly indicate your career objectives. Health Policy applicants should indicate the concentration(s) and policy area(s) of interest. ( 1,000 words max)

Please see Harvard Med Program Details to determine whether the program to which you are applying requires a writing sample, CV, or other documents. Please follow departmental requirements on type and size of writing sample. (20 pages max)

Harvard Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts 2017-2018

If you have already graduated, briefly summarize your activities since graduation. (4,000 characters max)

If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity, not addressed elsewhere in the application, that you would like to share with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Many applicants will not need to answer this question . Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, identification with a minority culture, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. Briefly explain how such factors have influenced your motivation for a career in medicine. (4,000 characters max)

If you are re-applying, briefly summarize your activities since your previous application. (4,000 characters max)

Our 2017-2018 interview season runs from mid-September through January. Please indicate any significant (three or more weeks) restriction on your availability for interviews during this period. If none, leave blank.

The HST MD program draws on the combined resources of Harvard and MIT to provide a distinct preclinical education tailored to preparing students for careers as physician-scientists across the full spectrum of disciplines including biological, physical and engineering sciences. HST classes are small, commonly include graduate students and have an emphasis on quantitative and analytic approaches, centered on understanding disease mechanisms and preparing students to solve unmet needs in medicine ranging from novel diagnostics and therapeutics to applications of ‘big data’ and systems engineering as they relate to healthcare.

Harvard Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts 2016-2017

• If you have already graduated, briefly summarize your activities since graduation.  (4,000 characters max)
• (Optional) Our Harvard Med interview season runs from mid-September through January. Please indicate any significant (three or more weeks) restriction on your availability for interviews during this period. If none, leave blank.

Harvard Medical School Secondary Application Essay Prompts 2015-2016

Contact us with questions, we'll answer any and all your questions about medical school we typically respond within 1 business day..

• Your Name *
• Your Email *
• Phone (optional)
• Leave us a Message or Question! We will email and call you back. *
• Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Start typing and press enter to search

2017-2018 Student Essays

• About the Office of the Dean
• Messages from the Dean
• Dean's Report
• Dean's Initiatives
• Past Deans of the Faculty of Medicine
• Dunham Lectures
• HMS Community Awards and Recognition
• Half-Staff Memorials

Inspire: 2017-2018 Dean's Report

MD Student Profiles and Essays archive:

• 2018-2019 student essays
• 2016-2017 student profiles
• 2015-2016 student profiles

Read the student essays about the promise of medicine featured in the 2017-2018 Dean's Report.

Md student essays, graduate student essays.

© 2024 by The President and Fellows of Harvard College

Successful Harvard Medical School Essays | 2023

With a consistently competitive pool of applicants submitting essays to top medical schools each year, it is essential to gain a high-level understanding of what a successful application reads like. Browse through our list of successful medical school applications below from students who were accepted to elite universities and hear from expert college consultants on what made these pieces a success.

...and more!

Andrew's Essay

International Medical Aid (IMA) is a leading provider of pre-med shadowing study abroad programs and medical school admissions consulting services. Recognized for our unwavering commitment to student success, IMA helps aspiring doctors navigate the complex admissions process and offers invaluable, real-world clinical experience in diverse healthcare settings around the world.

Our pre-med shadowing study abroad programs offer students the unique opportunity to gain firsthand insights into global health, broaden their cultural competencies, and strengthen their medical school applications. These programs are designed to immerse students in foreign healthcare systems and give them a practical understanding of global medicine, all under the supervision of experienced professionals.

In addition to our study abroad programs, IMA offers comprehensive medical school admissions advising. Our team of seasoned consultants, including former admissions committee members from top medical schools, provides personalized guidance at every step of the application process. From crafting compelling personal statements to mastering medical school interviews, we equip students with the tools and strategies necessary to stand out in the highly competitive admissions landscape.

At International Medical Aid, we are passionate about helping the next generation of healthcare professionals reach their goals. With our global perspective, deep industry expertise, and commitment to each student's success, IMA is your partner on the journey to a fulfilling career in medicine.

Successful Harvard Medical School Essay

I vividly recall the surge of emotion and chills that ran down my spine as I wandered through the free health clinic in a rural, impoverished Salvadoran town. I met a kind nurse who cared for hundreds of patients by herself. She showed me her two tiny examination rooms, both littered with overly used equipment. It was sobering, but inspiring. No experience has been more impactful than witnessing the need for accessible, quality healthcare, especially in an area so close to my heart. Twenty-two years ago, my family adopted me from El Salvador. Over that time, they showed me how to care about people, keep a sharp focus on my goals, and always deliver on my word. Their teaching by example, coupled with the realization of just how fortunate I am, has led me to my passion. I want to spend the rest of my life helping others improve theirs, and believe that becoming a physician is how I’ll do it.

I want to spend the rest of my life helping others improve theirs, and believe that becoming a physician is how I'll do it.

My decision to pursue medicine began with a great deal of pain. It was the end of my eighth grade basketball season, in the semi-finals of a tournament. During the third quarter, I stole the ball from the other team, and dribbled up the court on a fast break. As I elevated for a layup, an opposing player charged into my body. SNAP! I immediately felt severe discomfort running up my leg, and knew something was very wrong. As the trainers helped me off the court, I watched the swelling around my ankle continue to grow. My first trip to the emergency room resulted in an inconclusive diagnosis, and a scheduled appointment with an orthopedic surgeon.

The next day, I was diagnosed with a fractured ankle, which unfortunately meant my season was over. The orthopedic surgeon’s vast knowledge of anatomy and physiology and explanation of my injury using X-rays captivated my attention, and sparked my interest in medicine. Over the next six weeks, I rehabilitated my ankle and returned to sports as healthy and quickly as possible. Grasping the impact of a medical profession, I set out to become a physician.

Setting goals was a habit growing up. Academics and sports were my primary focus, and in grade school, I dreamt of playing a varsity sport and set a goal in fourth grade to graduate as valedictorian of my class. These goals shaped the next eight years of my life, as I learned to balance schoolwork with playing sports. I was determined to excel inside and outside of the classroom, and worked very hard.

Throughout high school, I strove for academic and athletic excellence. Through dedication and perseverance, I started for three years in basketball and baseball, was named captain of both teams as a senior, led both teams to playoff appearances, and graduated as class valedictorian. While my academic and athletic experiences were very fulfilling, the highlight of my time in high school was sharing my love for sports and academics with children. Every summer, I volunteered to help my coaches run camps for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade. During these camps, I taught the fundamentals of the game and emphasized the importance of determination, commitment, and teamwork. Coaching the kids was extremely rewarding, and allowed me to develop an even temper and positive attitude, even in stressful situations. This experience also helped me discover a strong interest in teaching that I hope to develop as a physician.

In college, I’ve had extensive shadowing experience. One unforgettable moment came in the emergency room when a patient coded. I watched as physicians and nurses urgently tried to stabilize the patient, to no avail. I learned two challenging lessons from the patient’s passing: medicine affects patients, their families, and healthcare professionals equally, and witnessing death is unavoidable when working in medicine. These lessons, among many others learned through my shadowing experiences, have provided me with invaluable insight into the daily life of physicians and surgeons, as well as the demands and rewards medicine offers.

Medicine affects patients, their families, and healthcare professionals equally, and witnessing death is unavoidable when working in medicine.

Although my shadowing experience was enjoyable, I desired to learn more about the aspect of medicine that shapes clinical practice–research. Through my research experiences, I discovered the intricate relationship between research and clinical medicine. As I spent a summer studying tendon development with some of the world’s brightest minds in Boston, the importance of collaboration and perseverance in effectively translating research from bench to bedside became clear. Now, I hope to combine my love for medicine with my research interests to broaden the scope of my work. This approach will be personally fulfilling while enabling me to make a valuable contribution to biomedical science. Life experiences shape us as individuals. An unfortunate sports injury sparked my interest in medicine, while clinical and research experiences and a visit to a clinic in my birth country further strengthened my ambition. Ultimately, I hope to return to that Salvadoran clinic as a medical student and physician to provide quality healthcare to those in need. I’m excited about moving forward and the opportunities that lie ahead.

Professional Review by International Medical Aid

This great example of the AMCAS personal statement makes the thesis clear from the start which is that of the writer’s wish to ensure “good health” by “doing more”.

The narrative presents this thesis through specific examples that gradually broaden in scope: from “my little brother” to “the stranger in the grocery storey.” It also expands across social segments, when the writer finds myriad meanings for “good health” across “countries, cultures and individuals”.

Technical terms are used to show knowledge of medical practices while also revealing curiosity and aptitude for clinical research.

The second part of the thesis, which is to “do more”, is presented through two compelling arguments: that research and medicine are always evolving, and that there is always more to be done. Technical terms are used to show knowledge of medical practices while also revealing curiosity and aptitude for clinical research.

The essay then shifts to how being an ‘extraordinary physician’ involves being empathetic and paying attention to socioeconomic factors. The generalization that medicine is both a science and an art since it touches humans is well-situated in contextual examples of underrepresented groups in Guatemala and Kenya.

The wish to “do more” reveals the writer’s growth mindset as well as a passion for medicine in simple but effective words that befit the personal statement.

Keizra’s Essay

Every future doctor experiences some level of self-doubt when applying to medical school. We empower aspiring physicians to identify the unique qualities that make them great doctors of the future. Our MD admissions consultants help applicants like you weave these qualities into a compelling narrative in every aspect of the medical school application. Using a proven methodology that has been tried and tested over 15 years with more than 1000 successful applicants, we help you approach the admissions process with the confidence to get into your ideal medical school.

Interested in dental school or PA school instead? We can help you get there too.

I sat in the US Senate’s Hart Building, memo in hand, nervously awaiting my chance to explain the complexities of an FDA draft guidance to staffers working on the Senate counterpart to the 21st Century Cures bill. This FDA draft guidance would, if finalized, increase the regulatory burden on laboratories developing genetic tests. Although nearly all the scientists I interviewed felt this guidance would unreasonably slow the integration of Next Generation Sequencing genetic tests into diagnostics, I learned that their story ignored the many inadequacies which currently plague genetic testing.

As I began to explain my memo, I thought of the first time I watched a doctor offer a genetic test to a patient. Dr. Patel, a geriatric psychiatrist, was offering a test to help determine which drugs might be most effective for her schizophrenic patient. This test seemed to offer an alternative to a frustrating experience that many patients face: trying various medication regimens to see which works best. The patient’s excitement was palpable, but I couldn’t help but recognize the sad truth that for this patient, a person of color, the diagnostic tools could be less than perfectly reliable. In a world where 80% of the DNA in genetic databases is European, I struggled knowing that these tests are significantly less effective for people of color than for individuals of European descent.

These hidden inequalities in emerging diagnostic tools, when combined with existing inequalities in access to care, have solidified my desire to work as a physician to care for marginalized individuals. As a doctor, I hope to help vulnerable patients access the care they desire while treating them with the respect they deserve, a goal I have looked to advance prior to medical school. During my first two years at Duke, I had countless conversations with my peers about the pressure they felt to embody “effortless perfection.” This expectation, whether self or culturally imposed, created a stigma around speaking out about one’s struggles, fears, and insecurities, which in turn led to a wariness towards accessing campus mental health resources. While Vice President of Equity and Outreach on Duke Student Government, I made combating “effortless perfection” my priority. I felt it was time to give students a space to discuss their struggles and make mental health resources more accessible. These experiences led me to create Duke’s first Mental Health Awareness Month. One particular event, a panel for students suffering from mental illness to discuss their experiences, was attended by over 100 students. Through the month’s programming, students were able to find strength and support in the recognition that they were not alone in their struggles. As a physician, I hope to leverage this understanding to create a space in my exam room where I work to understand and affirm patients’ experiences in the hopes that I can make their illnesses less isolating.

I hope to leverage this understanding to create a space in my exam room where I work to understand and affirm patients' experiences.

Though it was extraordinarily fulfilling to create awareness of accessible mental health resources, I also sought to combat another impediment to care: access. This year, I have worked to provide abortion access to women who cannot afford their procedures through the DC Abortion Fund. As a case manager, I work with women in all stages of their abortion access process. For some, I simply help them close the gap in their funding. For others, I work with them from start, finding a clinic, all the way to finish, helping to fund the procedure. This work has revealed to me the mountain of circumstances that vulnerable women seeking funding for abortion face. Every time I call a patient, the first question I ask is, “Can I leave a voicemail on this phone and can I identify myself?” This question is a constant reminder that for many of these women, accessing this care is an act of resistance against circumstances outside of their control like homelessness, domestic abuse, and poverty.

One of the patients I aided, Ms. E, found out she was pregnant while at an urgent care appointment for debilitating anxiety. She only learned about the Fund because her physician sat with her in the exam room helping Google resources for abortion care. This physician recognized that without adequate resources, her patient would not have the agency to choose her next steps. As a physician, I will view it as my highest responsibility to understand patients’ lives and circumstances. Without understanding the systemic barriers many patients face, I do not believe one can optimally care for a patient. Even when a patient has access to care, I know that treating vulnerable patients demands cultural understanding. While shadowing Dr. Lo, a plastic surgeon in Philadelphia, I saw first-hand how physicians can utilize their knowledge to create a safe space. I watched Dr. Lo work with a transgender-identifying patient seeking cosmetic surgery as a part of her gender confirmation process. Dr. Lo treated this patient with dignity and respect through the simple act of using her correct pronoun, ignoring the fact that her birth name and gender were associated with her insurance. This simple act of recognizing a patient’s true identity reminded me of the vital need for good doctors: I can only hope to one day be among their number.

Professional Review by Admissions Helpers

Several features make Keizra’s essay strong and engaging. First, the essay contains a unifying theme that gives the reader a clear sense of the applicant’s motivations. Using different examples and anecdotes throughout the essay, Keizra demonstrates their commitment to working with “marginalized” and “vulnerable” individuals.

Keizra demonstrates their commitment to working with marginalized and vulnerable individuals.

This essay also demonstrates an awareness of some of the key challenges in today’s healthcare system. Specifically, Keizra discusses inequity in genetic testing for people of color, the impact of social determinants on access to critical healthcare services like abortion, and the need for inclusivity for diverse patients including members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The strength in this discussion is that Keizra directly connects each challenge to their lived experiences.

Finally, each of the different ideas presented in the essay are explicitly tied to the applicant’s desire to become a physician, allowing the reader to understand why and how their experiences have shaped their motivations. When writing about genetic testing, mental health services for college students, and caring for Ms. E, Keizra’s essay does an excellent job highlighting the kind of doctor they aspire to be.

While the essay is strong overall, there is opportunity for improvement. The explanation Keizra offers about why they want to be a physician (in the 3rd paragraph) could be further developed. In particular, one can’t help but wonder why Keizra wants to fight the inequalities as a physician and not through another career such as politics or public health? The reasons why Keizra wants to practice clinical medicine are not clearly articulated. The essay also ends fairly abruptly, failing to give the reader a cohesive and memorable closing argument. Ideally, a personal statement ends by providing reflections on the key ideas presented and pulling everything together with a powerful summative statement. This is difficult with limited space but could have nevertheless been achieved by rewording and omitting certain details in other areas of the essay.

Mark's Essay

Our Premedical Mentorship Program and Admissions Milestones serve as your personal roadmap to medical school, guiding you through the application process.

Our curriculum, divided into clear Milestones and specialized workshops, streamlines the extensive writing and high-pressure interviews intrinsic to medical school applications. We replace the cycle of writing and rewriting with a systematic framework, assisting you at every stage, from brainstorming to refining your final narrative.

Once enrolled in our programs, you gain access to our open booking system, allowing you to schedule one-on-one meetings with our Advocate Team at any time. We dedicate hundreds of hours to understanding your unique story, strengths, and aspirations, which informs our guidance and helps you craft a standout narrative for the competitive medical school admissions process. This approach has led to a 100% acceptance rate among our program graduates.

Ready to start your journey? Visit our website to schedule an introductory conversation.

“You have all the time.”

"Jay" was an advanced heart failure patient, unsure whether to continue treatment. But he needed to make a decision quickly. His EKG read “ventricular tachycardia.” Dr. D, though, saw the situation differently: Jay had “all the time.”

I analyze conversations like this in the LAB NAME Lab, where we study patient-physician communication, trying to understand what it means to provide patient-centered care. My research begins with the question: What is interesting in this encounter? In this interaction, Dr. D’s remark—“you have all the time”—caught my eye. It didn’t make sense. Jay’s arrhythmia was potentially life-threatening: he had no time. Surely, Dr. D, a cardiologist, knew this. And while Dr. D was personable in his other encounters with patients, he had never prioritized talking over treating. Why then, with Jay, did he ignore the “medical” side of medicine? At the time, I thought patient care revolved around somatic intervention. I was an EMT, after all. My job was to save people: if someone was bleeding, I didn’t stop to chat. I wrapped their bleed.

However, months later, my perception of medicine slowly began to change. Working as an EMT, I was dispatched to “Leo.” UNIVERSITY NAME staff had dialed 911 as he was heavily intoxicated. Immediately, Leo announced that he was fine; “You can leave,” he said to me. The situation seemed strange, though: alcohol by himself on a Monday afternoon? I thought: Should I ask Leo why he was drinking? But, perhaps, Leo was unable to be vulnerable around all the strangers in their uniforms. Hesitantly, I asked my partner and the mass of firefighters to step outside. I thought I could get Leo to open up. I recall sitting at eye level with him, considering what to say, aware of everyone outside, unsure if I was wasting their time. But in the end, I just talked—student to student. I described my life: how it felt to be away from family; how I missed home. Leo said nothing; so I kept speaking, conscious of myself. There was more silence, but then he replied, “I miss home too.” I waited for more; and Leo continued, “I need help.”

Our ability to talk—student to student, not EMT to student—allowed us to be honest with each other.

My interaction with Leo was at odds with my own understanding of medicine at that point; not once did I offer him an assessment of his blood pressure or his multicolored vomit. But had I done those things—focused on Leo’s physical condition—our encounter might have ended differently. I may never have discovered his intent to commit self-harm. Leo chose to be open with me, I think, because he trusted me, because I was open with him. Our ability to talk—student to student, not EMT to student—allowed us to be honest with each other. A disconnect between Leo and me would have failed both to address the root of his problem and to treat him as more than a brief emergency.

Now, I think that I better understand Dr. D’s remark to Jay. Maybe, he sought to humanize Jay, to reinforce his agency as a patient in a place that dealt with his physical ailments. Jay’s choice would have implications for the rest of his life. Perhaps, Dr. D wanted Jay to know that he was the decision-maker, that he controlled his own future. To Dr. D, the other aspect of medicine—the human side—was just as important as all the medications and IVs and drugs and shocks. I’ve begun to see that a physician’s work is stereoscopic. There is the intriguing and challenging human element, the opportunity to form meaningful relationships with patients. Then there is the somatic aspect, the chance to treat difficult medical conditions. I am drawn to medicine because of this duality.

As a physician, I’d like to develop my own ability to simultaneously practice the technical and personal elements of medicine. I think that patient-centered care might give my patients more than a fixed knee or a lower heart rate. Hopefully, they would feel healed, helped, respected—not as if I were just interested in fixing their physical ailments. I also think I’d enjoy medicine more if I could connect with my patients: talk to them as people, not just patients.

But, through the LAB NAME Lab, I’ve seen how difficult it can be to combine the objective and human sides of medicine. In patient-physician encounters, one of these two sides is often left out—it is hard to ask patients about their dogs when their livers are failing. Moreover, I’m not sure I can deconstruct Dr. D’s ability to communicate with patients like Jay: put it into a single competency that all doctors must master. It isn’t just empathy, honesty, or authenticity. I might describe it as humanity, the ability to talk to others without a machine-produced script. However, textbooks don’t feature a “How to Communicate Like Dr. D” section, and it isn’t a skill I imagine I will ever be done learning. The challenge of medicine appeals to me, though. I want a career in which I can constantly discover more.

Ultimately, I don’t expect to learn only in the clinic or hospital as a doctor. I will continue to do research on patient-physician communication. My work will likely inform my future medical practice, and, maybe, eventually I could teach what I’ve learned to residents and medical students.

As Dr. D has shown me, a physician’s work is complex and demanding. But the result can give patients like Jay “all the time.”

Professional Review by Premed Advocates

The compelling Personal Statement you've just read exemplifies the power of introspective storytelling. The author's reflection, highlighting his evolving understanding of medicine and future ambitions, led to acceptances and scholarships from prestigious medical schools like Johns Hopkins, Yale, Duke, UCLA, Mayo, Vanderbilt, Northwestern, and Mt Sinai.

At PreMed Advocates, we help create personal statements that keep the applicant as the central figure of the narrative. While many personal statements tend to recount the applicant's journey to medical school, often involving personal illness experiences or “inspirational” patient-doctor interactions, these narratives can inadvertently shift the focus onto the stories of others, and away from you—the main character.

Our reflective storytelling approach keeps your unique perspective at the heart of your personal statement.

Our reflective storytelling approach keeps your unique perspective at the heart of your personal statement. Through collaborative brainstorming, meticulous editing, and interview preparation, we guide applicants in transforming their experiences into a compelling narrative. Our method is also deeply rooted in our thorough understanding of medical school admissions rubrics and processes, which we've derived from extensive research and detailed profiling of each institution.

The PreMed Advocates difference lies in our unique approach. We equip our applicants with the tools they need to succeed, and supplement this with personalized, one-on-one guidance.

Harvard Medical School Secondary Essays: Tips + Examples

Reviewed by:

Jonathan Preminger

Former Admissions Committee Member, Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine

Reviewed: 4/25/24

If you’re preparing to write essays for Harvard’s medical school, this article is for you! We’ll give you key tips and provide examples that will help you stand out in your Harvard application.  

The Harvard Medical School secondary essays are a critical make-or-break component of your application. With an acceptance rate of just 3.4%, standing out is absolutely essential. These essays are your opportunity to highlight your journey, experiences, and passion for medicine in a way that admissions statistics alone cannot capture.

Imagine being in the shoes of an admissions officer reading thousands of applications from exceptional students. What will make yours unforgettable? A compelling personal narrative woven throughout your secondary essays. One that paints a vivid picture of who you are, what drives you, and why you belong at Harvard.

In this guide, we'll dissect each prompt, offering expert tips to craft responses that leave a lasting impression. You'll also find annotated examples, proving what works (and what doesn't) when striving to "wow" the admissions committee. By the end, you'll be equipped with the tools to transform your essays from good to extraordinary.

Want to see how others nailed their Harvard Med secondaries?

Browse 100+ winning essays in our database for expert guidance and inspiration!

Get The Ultimate Guide on Writing an Unforgettable Personal Statement

Harvard Medical School Secondary Essay Prompts

Before giving you a few examples of a 2024 Harvard SDN essay, we will go through each prompt and give you tips on how to answer the questions. Though some of the essays are considered optional, you might want to write them all so that Harvard has more than enough to assess your readiness for medical school .

Two prompts require you to write a response no longer than 4,000 characters, so make sure to get as close to the limit as you can without going over. It’s important to be concise and to the point when answering each question, but remember to follow a general essay format. Each essay should have an introduction, several body paragraphs, and a conclusion. 

When talking about your experiences, there should be a logical flow from one to the next. Choose experiences that can be tied back to your decision to become a doctor. By doing this, you will be showcasing your passion for medicine and will be able to demonstrate why going to medical school is so important to you.

Below are the five essay prompts, followed by an explanation of what they are looking for. Read through these explanations and then read through the example essays following.

Harvard Medical School Secondary Essay Prompt #1

“If you have already graduated, briefly summarize your activities since graduation. (4000 characters)”

For this secondary essay prompt, it's important to concisely convey your post-graduation activities while providing insight into your current commitments. You don't need to delve into extensive specifics, but rather offer a glimpse of your typical weekly routine. 

Feel free to include a list of your weekly activities, along with the corresponding time commitments for easy reference.

Harvard Medical School Secondary Essay Prompt #2

“If there is an important aspect of your personal background or identity, not addressed elsewhere in the application, that you would like to share with the Committee, we invite you to do so here. Many applicants will not need to answer this question. Examples might include significant challenges in access to education, unusual socioeconomic factors, or other aspects of your personal or family background to place your prior academic achievements in context or provide further information about your motivation for a career in medicine or the perspectives you might bring to the medical school community. Many applicants will not need to answer this question. (4000 characters)”

For this prompt, try to be as honest as possible, while still connecting your experiences to how they influenced your decision to apply to medical school. The admissions committee is specifically interested in candidates who have a true passion for the field of medicine. 

As you compose your response, emphasize the link between your personal background or identity and your motivation to pursue a medical career. Demonstrating this passion and its impact on your decision to enter the medical field is pivotal for a compelling essay.

Harvard Medical School Secondary Essay Prompt #3

“The Committee on Admissions understands that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted applicants in various ways. If you wish to inform the Committee as to how these events have affected you and have not already done so elsewhere in your application, please use this space to do so. (; the Committee on Admissions will make no judgment based on your decision to provide a statement or not.)”

Though this is an optional essay, you should answer the prompt to the best of your ability. Again, the admissions committee will be looking for you to be as honest as possible, even if that means you have to be a bit vulnerable. 

This question is less about your path toward medical school and more about how you deal with adversity. Everyone was affected by COVID-19 in some way, so even though they say the essay is optional, they are expecting an answer.

That being said, you do not have a character limit for this Harvard secondary essay, but make sure to keep your answer short and sweet.

Harvard Medical School Secondary Essay Prompt #4

“The interview season for the 2023-2024 cycle will be held virtually and is anticipated to run from mid-September through January 2024 . Please indicate any significant (three or more weeks) restriction on your availability for interviews during this period. If none , please leave this section blank.”

This last prompt is similar to the first one in that it is a straightforward question with a straightforward answer. If you have certain commitments that you would not be able to get out of, simply state them here with dates and what they are. Good examples would be if you have exams during this period or if you will be out of the country. 

Harvard essays could make or break your application

Unlock our database of 100+ essays and kickstart your writing journey today!

Sign up to our Newsletter

Harvard medical school secondary essay examples.

Read through the following Harvard Medical School secondary essay examples to have an understanding of what a good 2024 Harvard SDN essay would look like.

Plus, if you want to see more examples beyond what’s in this article, check out our database! It contains tons of secondary essays written by successful applicants. Try reading through these sample essays to find inspiration and write incredible secondary essays! 

Example One

This example essay is in response to prompt number one.

After graduating, I decided to get some real-life experience before going to medical school. I was lucky to have a job lined up after graduation, working in a medical laboratory. I volunteered as I pursued my undergraduate degree and gained professional experience as an office assistant.

The medical laboratory was in a research facility that tested new drugs at various stages of development. I was able to observe how the researchers started their experimental drug trials and shared their disappointment if something had an unexpected result. It felt as though I was on the cutting edge of medical research, and that perhaps one day, I would be prescribing these drugs to my patients.

Though my job was mainly assisting the researchers, I was able to learn a lot about the importance of medical research and how certain drugs, when made available to the public, could change lives. I loved hearing about the different studies that were going on in the laboratory, and it inspired me to do my best.

When I wasn’t working, I was able to volunteer at a local children’s hospital. I spent a lot of time with the patients and gave their parents a much needed break. This volunteer opportunity allowed me to learn a lot about what it is like to be a patient and how difficult it can be when a loved one is in the hospital. 

During my time as a volunteer, I got to know some of the children who were there receiving cancer treatments. One of these patients had a huge impact on my perspective on medical care, including the difficulties our system is currently facing. 

This child was often left alone in the hospital, as their parents both had to work in order to pay for the treatments. I was at the hospital once a week and would always check in on my little friend during their six-week stay. 

Though we mainly played video games, I knew my visits had a great impact on their mental health; they were often left alone for long periods of time. Their parents did  everything they could to get them excellent care, but the hardship of their condition was still palpable.

Having the time to see what patients and their families go through when disease strikes made my resolve to become the best doctor I can even stronger. I don’t think I will ever forget the children I met during this experience. It will always remind me to put the care of the patient at the forefront of everything I do. 

As a medical school hopeful, I was also able to spend some time shadowing a local family doctor, Dr. Alice Richardson. Dr. Richardson was a friend of my parents and offered me this opportunity when she found out I was applying to medical school. 

The clinic she works in is located in the suburbs and is multidisciplinary; she works with other general practitioners, as well as two chiropractors and an osteopath. They try to work as a team and often refer clients to each other, if there is a need for consultation.

Dr. Richardson was very patient with me. I asked many questions about her experience and passion for medicine. I learned that working in a multidisciplinary practice can be both challenging and rewarding. I could see that she worked hard at making sure that her patients got the best care, no matter what type of specialist they may need. She always went the extra mile to make sure her patients were healthy.

My time between graduating and today has been very valuable. I have learned a lot about the medical profession, and I look forward to continuing to learn and grow within medical school and beyond.

Why Was This Essay Successful?

This essay was successful because the writer talked about the experiences that influenced their decision to attend medical school. They clearly convey their passion for medicine and their intention for their future career, while answering the question. 

Example Two

This example essay is in response to prompt number three.

Growing up in a rural community, it was not hard to tell my family didn’t fit in. Almost all of my peers came from farming families that had lived in the area for hundreds of years. Most considered the high school diploma was the pinnacle of higher education. 

Many of them were cousins or their parents had been playing Euchre together since they were teenagers. My family was the first of South Asian descent to settle in this small town. It was as if everyone was part of a secret group that I knew nothing about, except that I knew I did not belong.

Being the only non-white family also didn’t help. Though they would never mention the difference in the color of our skin and insults were not said to my face, I knew they judged me for it. Whispers were common, and people constantly stared.

The differences first became apparent to me on the playground. No one wanted to play with me; I spent most of my time on my own. I was lucky to have learned to read at a very young age, I was able to find solace in books. The library became my favorite spot. I would spend hours a day reading, and during most recesses, I would sneak off to look for something new to read.

Mrs. Caldwell, the librarian, was very sweet to me. She knew that I didn’t quite fit in with my peers and she let me browse the shelves almost every day. She would even suggest new books for me to try from time to time.

By the time I was in middle school, my fascination with science, in particular biology, had become my new obsession. Mrs. Caldwell brought out a book on human anatomy. It had colorful illustrations and in-depth descriptions that I read over and over again until I could recite the entire book by heart. With Mrs. Caldwell’s encouragement, I studied human biology. I knew in my gut that one day, I would become a doctor. 

Despite this solace, school was still very difficult. Sure, I was very popular in the teacher’s lounge, but my fellow students didn’t give me time of day. I had no friends, was always picked last in gym class, and people only seemed to acknowledge my existence when they wanted to copy my notes from class.

It is through this experience, though, that I learned just how strong I am. Growing up may not always be easy, but if you can find something to hold on to, something you’re passionate about, then you can make it through anything. I didn’t feel all that lonely when I had my books at my side.

When it came time to apply for college, my teachers helped me every step of the way. They believed in me wholeheartedly, and that allowed me to push through. Finding a good academic reference for my applications was easy, and I was able to get into a very prestigious undergraduate program.

When I think back on my childhood, I actually think I am rather lucky. I had a loving family and a great education from people who actually cared. They encouraged me to just be myself, which has led me to medical school, where I can finally put all that knowledge of human biology to good use.

As a step into this next adventure, I hope to learn and grow in ways I cannot even begin to expect. I will always have a passion for knowledge and attending this school will serve me well on my path to becoming a doctor.

This essay is successful as the writer skillfully ties their experiences back to their love of science. Their response shows just how dedicated the student is to becoming a doctor and their ability to thrive in the face of adversity.

The above examples should give you a good idea of what a successful essay looks like. Make sure to always get a trusted friend or family member to edit your essay before submitting it as a small mistake or unclear sentence can make a huge difference. 

Still need help with getting into Harvard? Our MCAT tutoring in Boston services will ensure you have everything you need to succeed.

FAQs: Harvard Medical School Essays

If you’re still confused about how to write your medical essays, refer to our below FAQ section for all you need to know.

1. Should I Write the Harvard Medical School Optional Essays?

Yes, you should write all of the Harvard Medical School essays, including the optional ones. This gives the admissions committee more opportunities to learn about your achievements, experiences, and passion for medicine.

2. How Long Should Harvard Optional Essays Be?

Harvard optional essays should be around 200-300 words or approximately 750 characters. This length allows you to provide a substantive response while remaining concise.

3. How Do You Answer Harvard Medical School Secondary Essays?

Answer Harvard secondary essays honestly and use a conversational, storytelling tone. Don't be afraid to show vulnerability. Avoid slang or offensive language. Craft your responses like compelling narratives to leave a lasting impression on the admissions committee.

Final Thoughts

Writing the Harvard Medical School secondary essays might not be easy, but following our advice should make the process easier. Give yourself enough time to think about the essays and what you will say so that you are not rushing to get them in by the application deadline. 

Schedule A Free Consultation

You may also like.

How Is the CASPer Test Scored?

How to Manage MCAT Burnout

• Newly Added eBooks - Available Now
• The Hit List (Books We Love)
• Top 500 eBook Fiction
• Top 500 eBook Nonfiction
• Popular Romance
• Books you may have missed
• Health & Fitness
• Business Biographies
• Historical Fiction
• Self-Enrichment
• Newly Added Audiobooks - Available Now
• Top 500 Audiobook Fiction
• Top 500 Audiobook Nonfiction
• Business & Management
• Audiobooks for your commute
• Foreign Language Study
• Children & Teen
• Newly Added
• Children’s Favorite Characters
• Most Popular Children's Titles
• Comic & Graphic Books
• Children's Read-Alongs
• Popular Teen Reads
• Armchair Explorers for Children and Teens
• Science Fiction & Fantasy - Available Now
• Roald Dahl Collection
• Language Collections
• Chinese Titles - Adult
• Chinese Titles - Young Adults
• Chinese Titles - Children's
• Malay Titles - Adults
• Malay Titles - Young Adults
• Malay Titles - Children's
• Tamil Titles
• Tamil Titles - Children's
• Business Library
• Available Now
• Awards & Best Of
• Sponsored Collections
• Bahasa Melayu

50 Successful Harvard Medical School Essays

Description.

Fifty all-new essays that got their authors into Harvard Medical School, including MCAT scores, showing what worked, what didn't, and how you can do it too. Competition to get into the nation's top medical schools has never been more intense. Harvard Medical School in particular draws thousands of elite applicants from around the world. As admissions departments become increasingly selective, even the best and brightest need an edge. Writing a personal statement is a daunting part of the application process. In less than 5,300 characters, applicants must weave together experiences and passions into a memorable narrative to set them apart from thousands of other applicants. While there is no magic formula for writing the perfect essay, picking up this book will put them on the right track. 50 Successful Harvard Medical School Essays is the first in a new line of books published by the Staff of the Harvard Crimson. It includes fifty standout essays from students who successfully secured a spot at Harvard Medical School. Each student has a unique set of experiences that led them to medicine. Each essay includes analysis by Crimson editors on essay qualities and techniques that worked, so readers can apply them to their own writing. This book will aid applicants in composing essays that reveal their passion for medicine and the discipline they will bring to this demanding program and profession. It will give them the extra help they need to get into the best medical school programs in the world.

OverDrive Read

• ISBN: 9781250244482
• Release date: May 5, 2020
• File size: 1084 KB

OverDrive Read EPUB ebook

Study Aids & Workbooks Nonfiction

Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group

OverDrive Read ISBN: 9781250244482 Release date: May 5, 2020

EPUB ebook ISBN: 9781250244482 File size: 1084 KB Release date: May 5, 2020

• Staff of the Harvard Crimson - Author
• Formats OverDrive Read EPUB ebook
• Languages English

Why is availability limited?

Availability can change throughout the month based on the library's budget. You can still place a hold on the title, and your hold will be automatically filled as soon as the title is available again.

The Kindle Book format for this title is not supported on:

Read-along ebook.

The OverDrive Read format of this ebook has professional narration that plays while you read in your browser. Learn more here.

Session expired

Your session has expired. Please sign in again so you can continue to borrow titles and access your Loans, Wish list, and Holds pages.

If you're still having trouble, follow these steps to sign in.

Add a library card to your account to borrow titles, place holds, and add titles to your wish list.

Have a card? Add it now to start borrowing from the collection.

The library card you previously added can't be used to complete this action. Please add your card again, or add a different card. If you receive an error message, please contact your library for help.

• Kindle Store
• Kindle eBooks
• Education & Teaching

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required .

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the author

50 Successful Harvard Medical School Essays Kindle Edition

Fifty all-new essays that got their authors into Harvard Medical School, including MCAT scores, showing what worked, what didn’t, and how you can do it too. Competition to get into the nation’s top medical schools has never been more intense. Harvard Medical School in particular draws thousands of elite applicants from around the world. As admissions departments become increasingly selective, even the best and brightest need an edge. Writing a personal statement is a daunting part of the application process. In less than 5,300 characters, applicants must weave together experiences and passions into a memorable narrative to set them apart from thousands of other applicants. While there is no magic formula for writing the perfect essay, picking up this book will put them on the right track. 50 Successful Harvard Medical School Essays is the first in a new line of books published by the Staff of the Harvard Crimson. It includes fifty standout essays from students who successfully secured a spot at Harvard Medical School. Each student has a unique set of experiences that led them to medicine. Each essay includes analysis by Crimson editors on essay qualities and techniques that worked, so readers can apply them to their own writing. This book will aid applicants in composing essays that reveal their passion for medicine and the discipline they will bring to this demanding program and profession. It will give them the extra help they need to get into the best medical school programs in the world.

• Print length 225 pages
• Language English
• Publisher St. Martin's Griffin
• Publication date May 5, 2020
• File size 1603 KB
• Page Flip Enabled
• Word Wise Not Enabled
• Enhanced typesetting Enabled
• See all details

Customers who bought this item also bought

Editorial Reviews

About the author, product details.

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0818MDR5R
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Griffin (May 5, 2020)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 5, 2020
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 1603 KB
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 225 pages
• Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1250244471
• #157 in College Entrance Test Guides (Kindle Store)
• #764 in College Entrance Test Guides (Books)

About the author

Staff of the harvard crimson.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Customer reviews

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 84% 9% 0% 3% 3% 84%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 84% 9% 0% 3% 3% 9%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 84% 9% 0% 3% 3% 0%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 84% 9% 0% 3% 3% 3%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 84% 9% 0% 3% 3% 3%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Review this product

Top reviews from the united states, there was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting essays and info on med school

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful so far, but don’t use this as your only source of information

Report an issue.

• Amazon Newsletter
• About Amazon
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Press Center
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Sell on Amazon
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Become an Affiliate
• Become a Delivery Driver
• Start a Package Delivery Business
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Become an Amazon Hub Partner
• › See More Ways to Make Money
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Store Card
• Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Credit Card Marketplace
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Registry & Gift List
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices