Students should apply during the admission cycle for the year they plan to attend. HMS will NOT accept applications from students currently enrolled in other degree-granting programs, unless the pending degree will be conferred prior to medical school matriculation. This policy applies to students participating in the NIH Graduate Partnership Program. Deferrals will not be granted for students unable to complete degree programs in progress at the time of application.
Admission Decisions
HMS does not have an early decision program or a rolling admissions policy. All admissions decisions are sent out via email on the same date in early March, whether candidates are accepted, declined, or waitlisted. All admissions decisions are final.
Deferred Admissions
HMS recognizes that special opportunities may arise during the application year. The Faculty Associate Dean for Admissions approves requests for deferral on a case-by-case basis. Accepted students who would like to apply for deferral must submit a request stating their reason for requesting deferral and their proposed plans for the duration of the deferral. If approved, the deferral is typically granted for one year, although they are routinely renewed for students involved in multi-year fellowship programs (e.g., Rhodes, Marshall). The Committee on Admissions only supports proposals that provide for participation in intellectually rewarding opportunities and service programs during the time of deferral from HMS.