MD Admissions FAQ

No. The HST MD program is a track within Harvard Medical School, and is distinct from the MD/PhD program. While a portion of each accepted class of HST MD students is offered funded positions in the Harvard-MIT MD/PhD program through the MTSP grant or other support sources, a significant fraction of HST MD students pursue another degree while enrolled. Overall, slightly more than 40% of students enrolled in HST's MD program decide to pursue a PhD as well (it is this large number of individuals pursuing dual degrees that has lead to the misconception that HST is an MD/PhD Program). HST MD students may receive the PhD from the wide range of doctoral programs at Harvard or MIT, and may apply for funding from the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at HMS.  

MD applicants are encouraged to apply for scholarships and other forms of aid through the Financial Aid office of Harvard Medical School. In addition, HST MD students are eligible for RA program financial support while they are working in research labs in order to complete the HST thesis requirement. This can occur while a student is carrying a course load, or during an additional year ("5 year plan"). Information about the level of support for the current RA program can be found under Financial Support at this site. Teaching assistantships are also available to HST students, helping to defray the cost of education.

There are several differences in the two pathways to the MD degree at Harvard Medical School, some philosophical, some logistical. The HST medical sciences curriculum seeks to educate leaders in biomedical sciences and academic medicine. Preclinical courses, taught in semester format to more easily integrate with the schedules at Harvard and MIT, employ a range of pedagogical approaches to educate students in modern biomedical sciences, pathophysiologic processes, and important concepts in modern biology and biotechnology. All students in the HST program must complete a thesis as part of their graduation requirements. Additional information on the HST MD curriculum is available on the Harvard Medical School web site.

The Pathways curriculum incorporates pedagogical approaches that foster active learning and critical thinking, earlier clinical experience, advanced clinical and basic/population science experiences, and a scholarly project that will allow every student to plan an individual pathway to the MD degree. Additional information on the Pathways MD curriculum is available on the Harvard Medical School web site. 

For the MD program, in addition to the general requirements for admission to Harvard Medical School which one may find at this website, applicants to the HST Program must be comfortable with upper level mathematics (through differential equations and linear algebra), biochemistry and molecular biology. In addition, one year of physics must be taken at the college level. Candidates are strongly encouraged to meet this prerequisite with at least one year in calculus-based physics.

Candidates to the MD program may apply simultaneously, or during their second year of medical school, to a PhD program in the Division of Medical Sciences at Harvard Medical School; one of HST's PhD programs; or any graduate department at Harvard or MIT. The PhD degree may be earned not only in the biological and basic medical sciences, but in a wide range of fields including mathematics, physics, various branches of engineering, chemistry, psychology, economics, history, etc. Additional information on the MD/PhD Program at Harvard Medical School is available on the web is available on the web.

No, the program does not accept transfer students from other medical schools.

For MD students, Harvard University's Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan is the default coverage and is automatically charged to your HMS term bill each fall.  You may waive Harvard insurance if you have health insurance coverage through a spouse or parent. You must waive HMS coverage each year in which you choose alternative coverage.

HST MD/PhD students who do their PhD at MIT are automatically enrolled in the MIT Student Health Plans during the PhD portion of their program.

Contact hstadmissions [at] hms.harvard.edu (subject: HST%20MD%20admissions%20question) (hstadmissions[at]hms[dot]harvard[dot]edu)