sample admission essay

For an unprecedented medical school learning experience, the Harvard Medical School (HMS) is the place to be. Having an HMS education is not a walk in the park, but the rewards that await a student (much more an HMS graduate) is something to covet.

What do the Michael Crichton and Fe del Mundo have in common? Definitely not their line of work. Not their citizenship as well (we know that Michael Crichton is a famous suspense-sci-fi novelist while Fe del Mundo is a Filipina pediatrician).

The thing is, they both took the first step to their success: they had an HMS education!

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Do you have what it takes?

HMS prides itself as the medical school that has the most rigid admission criteria.

Though HMS’s main requirement for its students is academic excellence, it also put premium to a potential students’ Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores, extracurricular activities, researches done, and health-care and community-service exposure.

HMS welcomes students who are highly motivated, visionaries, ambitious, and compassionate in their medical practices.

At HMS’ portal
All applications to HMS are through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). There is a non-refundable $85 filing fee for every submitted application which could be waived if an applicant has been granted an AMCAS fee waiver.

What you need
HMS’s faculty has set the following requirements for applicants:
meet the minimum requirements set my the HMS faculty for the program
present proofs that that they are intellectually capable to study and eventually practice medicine
show personal credentials that could help assess their potentials
demonstrate aptitude in sciences during undergraduate year
enhanced their education with at least one year of college or university training in the United States or Canada (for foreign students)

What awaits an HMS student?

Honor and prestige are just icing on the cake that an HMS student can have. Why not have the cake itself?

Here are more stuffs that make an HMS education something to thirst for:
HMS offers its students a wide array of excellent learning experience
students are lectured and trained by a faculty of experts in the various fields of medicine
students are given the opportunity to participate in research projects locally, nationally, and sometimes internationally
students enjoy access to a multitude of possibilities

How it all started

Founded in September 19, 1782 by Dr. John Warren together with Benjamin Waterhouse, and Aaron Dexter, the Harvard Medical School (HMS) was then known as Massachusetts Medical College of Harvard University. Not surprisingly, the three doctors were also the pioneering professors at HMS.

The first class ever held at HMS had an astonishing number of students – two! These students graduated in 1788. In the early days of HMS, classes were held in the basement of Harvard Hall. Later, lectures were held in Holden Hall.

By 1869, then US president Eliot established a curriculum for HMS. He instituted a higher standard for for admission, required written exams with passing grades, established new departments, introduced a three-year degree program, and eliminated the apprenticeship system.

Through the years, HMS has earned the honor and prestige as one of the world’s top medical schools.

photo credit: Paul Keleher

The first ever college founded in North America, Harvard University found its small beginnings almost four centuries ago, in 1636. Through the vote of Great and General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the college started with nine students, a far cry from the current enrollees of 18,000 (excluding those enrolled in the he Harvard Extension School) . The University was named after the young minister named John Harvard of Charlestown who left half his estate and his library to the budding institution when he died in 1638.
With its rich history, Harvard University boasts of alumni like seven of US’ presidents: John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Theodore and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Rutherford B. Hayes, John Fitzgerald Kennedy and George W. Bush; poets EE Cummings and TS Eliot, and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, to mention a few.

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The University started wit an academic model of English university associated with Puritan philosophy although it was never officially affiliated with a particular religion or denomination. At present, Harvard University aims to foster an atmosphere of freedom– freedom to think, express oneself, create and explore. The environment of diversity, critical thinking and excellence taps into the potential of each student; Harvard University does not only yield students brilliant in their specializations but it also produces responsible individuals and great leaders. If the range of famous alumni does not speak for itself already, the University tops the country’s University lists. A Harvard degree is well recognized throughout the country as well as all over the world.

The requirements for Harvard university admissions are as follows:

1. The Application form: One may request for or download application forms from the admissions website. On line application is also an option. Financial aid may be granted and Financial aid forms may be filled out along with the regular application forms. Admission requirements and forms may be accessed from the official admissions website: http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/index.html .

2. Fee: An application fee of $65 applies although the fee may be waived upon request (a fee waiver request must be completed by the guidance counselor and attached to the application). The fee may be paid on-line using a credit card or through check/money order. The applicant’s name must appear on the check or money order, and the check/money order should be attached to the application form.

3. Official score reports from the SAT I or ACT , and three SAT II Subject Tests.

4. Secondary School Report and Mid-Year School Report: This report must be filled out by the school counselor or college adviser.

5. Two Teacher Evaluations: Teachers writing the evaluation must be of two different academic subjects and has sufficient knowledge of student’s performance and character. Applicant’s teachers during the last two years of secondary school is recommended. Supplement evaluations may also be submitted such as those from significant people outside of classroom who can provide testimony about applicant.

These requirements should be mailed to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid (taking note of the deadlines of submission) at 86 Brattle StreetCambridge, MA 02138. After 1-2 weeks upon receipt of application, admissions office will send an e-mail to the applicant, providing an access code needed to access the information on line (https://admweb.fas.harvard.edu/ha/Applicant/ApplicantFrame.html ).

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