Interested in applying to the Premedical Program at Harvard Extension School? Applications are accepted betweenJanuary 10andApril 10, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The application period is now closed.
To learn more, review who is eligible and how to apply here on this page.
You can also learn more in our information session recording.
Who is Eligible
Admission to the Premedical Program is selective. In evaluating your application, we attempt to be holistic and take many factors into consideration. These factors include experiences that indicate you are making an informed decision about your career choice and are capable of working to the academic standards of Harvard.
Although there is no minimum GPA, it is unlikely that applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 will be accepted.
Harvard Extension School does not discriminate against applicants or students on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry or any other protected classification.
To be considered for the Premedical Program, you must:
- Have already completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Graduating college seniors are not eligible to apply. If you will earn your undergraduate degree in May 2024, for example, you’ll need to apply next year, January 2025.
- Be able to demonstrate achievements in your past academic pursuits and activities that demonstrate your interest in the healthcare field.
- Be in good academic and financial standing with Harvard University, with no disciplinary or administrative procedures pending (applies to current or former students only).
- Be a US citizen or permanent resident. We are not able to accept international students.
- Prove English proficiency. If your native language is not English and you have not earned a high school, bachelor’s, or graduate degree (master’s or doctorate) from a college or university in the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, or United Kingdom, you’ll need to submit a satisfactory English proficiency test score. Read more about theEnglish Proficiency Requirement for Registrationand review the list of acceptable exams and scores.
How and When to Apply
The application period is open from January 10 to April 10 each year. You should plan to apply at least a year before applying to medical, dental, veterinary, or physician assistant/associate school.
To start the application process, you’ll need to:
- Create a MyDCE student account. Already have one? Move to step 2.
- Next, access the application portal throughMyDCEby logging in using your Harvard Key.Select the Premed Pgm Application icon under your name at the top of the homepage.
Application Materials
A complete online application includes the following:
- Nonrefundable $50 application processing fee.
- Essay:in no more than 500 words, address the following question: Why do you want to prepare for a career in the medical field?
- Résumé or CV.Upload a current résumé or CVto the online application that includes all your work experience, including volunteer jobs, with dates. Also include any research you have done or research positions you have held, with dates.
- Transcripts.Send an official transcript from each college or university in which you have enrolled for credit, including those from which you have not earned a degree.Note: To be eligible to apply, your degree must be awarded, not pending.We accept electronic transcripts, but only if they are sent from the institution or the institution’s transcript service directly to HCP@Extension.Harvard.edu. Do not send transcripts to Harvard University because we will not receive them.
- If you earned a degree outside the United States, you must have your official transcript(s) evaluated by theCenter for Educational Documentation (CED)orInternational Education Evaluations (IEE), the only two agencies from which we will accept evaluations. The company should send an electronic copy of your general evaluation (CED) or Document Report (IEE) directly to the Premedical Program Office. See our guidelines forverifying international credits for more information.
Mailing Transcripts (if necessary)
If transcripts must be mailed via post because your college or university does not offer electronic delivery, please have them sent to: Premedical Program Office,Harvard Extension School,51 Brattle Street,Cambridge, MA 02138. Do not send transcripts to Harvard University Admissions because we will not receive them.
- Do not open envelopes addressed to you that contain official copies of documents. Mail them unopened in a larger envelope.
- All mailed materials must be received in the Premedical Program Office by thelast date of the application cycle.
Materials are accepted in and processed by the office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
Admission Decisions
Applicants are informed of their acceptance to the program on a rolling basis through the online application portal, accessed by logging in toMyDCEand clicking on the Premed Pgm Application icon under the name and profile picture section of the home page.
Successful applicants must accept or decline their offersby May 15; otherwise, their offers will be rescinded. Offers may also be rescinded if applicants are current Harvard Extension School course takers and earn poor grades at the end of the spring term or have pending academic disciplinary actions or similar demonstrated behaviors that may negatively affect one’s application for admission.
All decisions are final, but unsuccessful applicants are welcome to reapply in the next cycle, with the understanding that holistic application reviews are performed.
Program or Application Questions?
Contact the Premedical Program Office at HCP@Extension.Harvard.edu.
