Applying to the HMS Exchange Clerkship Program
Due to the implementation of the Pathways curriculum at Harvard Medical School, opportunities for visiting medical students are limited.
Applicants are advised to read the detailed information provided before applying to the HMS Exchange Clerkship Program. Failure to comply with application instructions may result in not being scheduled and incomplete applications will not be processed.
It is important to note that students remain registered at their home school while participating in visiting clerkships at HMS. Visiting students are not officially enrolled as students at Harvard University.
Due to the variable nature of clerkship offerings, HMS reserves the right to change clerkship assignments as necessary at any time. Information and eligibility criteria for the HMS Exchange Program are subject to change. All materials submitted become the property of the HMS Office of the Registrar.
Application Instructions
Online applications and supporting documentation cannot be submitted any earlier than 6 months prior to the start of the clerkship.
In order to apply to the HMS Exchange Clerkship Program, all applicants must complete in full a two-part application which includes an online application form and submitting required documentation to the Office of the Registrar. To ensure fairness to all eligible applicants, applications are reviewed only after the submission deadline.
Not First Come, First Served
Scheduling is assigned randomly based upon the demand and availability of clerkships. Applications are not processed based on date of submission so there is no benefit to early submission. Deadlines for each clerkship are listed on the calendar (Calendars for later academic years may found on the bottom of this webpage as well).
Applicants can select from clerkships listed in the Exclerk Course Catalog. HMS students have priority for all advanced electives. Please read the course descriptions for detailed information - some electives are not offered year-round and some have restricted enrollment and may not be open to visiting students.
Applicants are advised to read the detailed information provided before applying to the HMS Visiting Exchange Clerkship Program. Failure to comply with application instructions may result in not being scheduled and incomplete applications will not be processed.
HMS does not require recommendation letters or CV's, just the letter of support. Neither recommendation letter(s) or a CV will increase your chances of being scheduled.