Harvard Med and good pre-med school?

Question

What sorts of things do they look at in applications? It's my dream to go to Harvard Med, I'm willing to do anything to get there. Also, what's a good pre-med school? I know generally which are acceptable, but not sure exactly which are better. Please, I really appreciate any help at all, but also, please don't tell me that I have to donate several million dollars and know a faculty member or alumni from the in order to get in, I've been discouraged enough from that. Harvard Med will not be the only medical school I'll apply to, but it's my dream- either way, I'm mainly trying to figure out what looks impressive on the application. Again, thanks for any and all help.

Answer 1

Consider College of the Holy Cross. Holy Cross has twice the national rate for acceptance to medical schools and is half way through the building of a 60 million dollar science complex. HC is exceptionally strong in Premed and the sciences in general. According to the American Chemical Society, Holy Cross is one of the nation's top producers of ACS certified chemistry graduates. More than 10 percent of the 35,000 living alumni of Holy Cross are physicians and dentists.

Answer 2

I don't have any proof, but from what I hear quite frequently is to be very academically-driven. For example, many students who are accepted are very involved in extracurriculars/clubs and sports, along with doing lots of community service. That shows that you are very dedicated, and Harvard would most likely be looking for a student who would most likely take part in activities at {Harvard}. It even helps if you are a leader in some type of a club, too.

Now, of course grades are extremely important.  You want to try and shoot for as high of a GPA as possible. I'm sure you don't have to have a 4.0 to be accepted, but the closer the better. Your SAT/ACT score also is a major factor. Because you are interested in the medical field, it would probably be wise to already study medicine by taking some medical-related classes.

And of course, try and do something that makes you "different". If all students who were/are accepted were all 4.0 and Honor Society students, {Harvard} would not be a diverse school. So I don't know, publish a New York Times bestseller? =) Thinking realistically,  hopefully you will do something special that could increase your chances.

Oh and, Scholarships help too. ;)

Best of Luck!

Answer 3

I'm not catholic but I went to Catholic high school. I'll give you some advice, don't be intolerant and don't limit yourself because people are different. Med Schools like diverse people with diverse backgrounds and diverse lives. So on to your question

First you have to take 2 gen chem, 2 gen bio, 2 organic chem, 2 physics classes. All with labs. Then take two english classes, a calc class (two is better), and a stats class. Get all A's and A+'s. You should have a 4.0 at least.

Next, what school to go to? "Elite Schools" don't help you get into med schools that much, medical schools want to know what you did not where you went. The Ivy leagues don't regurgitate students, so just because you went to an Ivy doesn't mean you'll end up there. Go to a school with a big research program, like a state school. Get into research your freshman year, bio or med is a plus. Get published if at all possible. Do a lot of community service, and volunteer at a hospital or clinic (or work there). Become the leader of at least on club, get great letters of recommendation, score at least a 35R on the MCAT (average at Harvard is 36, median is 37). Have an interesting minor or double major, like dance or history or dance history :). Get a science degree, biochemistry is the best because it helps so much on the MCAT. 1/3 of the MCAT is chemistry.