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Harvard Medical School: what it looks for, GPA and MCAT

Harvard Medical School is a private medical school in Massachusetts (Boston).

What Harvard Medical School says it looks for

Experiences

Extracurriculars, occupations, life experiences and health-field research/community work.

Qualities

Broad interests and talents welcomed.

Mission and background

Undergraduate Ivy League attendance gives no admissions advantage according to this page.

The school names these on its own admissions pages. It is not a full list of how it decides. Summarized from the school's admissions page, checked October 2026. Not a ranking, a rubric or a prediction of admission.

Admissions statistics

MetricValue
Median GPA of admitted students3.98
Median MCAT of admitted students521
Interview invite rate8.7%
School typePrivate
StateMassachusetts
Applications (AAMC FACTS Table A-1, 2025-2026)8,275
Matriculants165
In-state share of entering class15.2%

Sources: GPA, MCAT and interview rate: 2026 school dataset (dataset updated 2026-08-04). Applications and entering class: AAMC FACTS Table A-1, 2025-2026. Not a ranking or a prediction of admission. AesculaMD is not affiliated with Harvard Medical School, the AAMC or AACOM.

Common questions

What does Harvard Medical School look for in applicants?

From Harvard Medical School's own admissions pages (checked October 2026): Experiences: Extracurriculars, occupations, life experiences and health-field research/community work. Qualities: Broad interests and talents welcomed. The school names these on its own admissions pages. It is not a full list of how it decides.

What is Harvard Medical School's mission focus?

Undergraduate Ivy League attendance gives no admissions advantage according to this page. Summarized from the school's published guidance, checked October 2026.

What GPA and MCAT do students admitted to Harvard Medical School have?

The median GPA is 3.98 and the median MCAT is 521 (2026 school dataset). A median is the middle of the admitted class, not a minimum: half were admitted below it.

Related: Why strong applicants are still rejected · How many schools to apply to · Where applications fall short

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