Pre-Medical

Harvard’s system of pre-medical advising is House-based. Practically speaking, this means that the Cabot House Resident Pre-Medical Tutors are your primary resource as you explore the health professions and embark on the application process to medical, dental, or veterinary school. The pre-medical team works together to support your needs as comprehensively as possible. If you are thinking about pursuing a career in the health professions, please contact any of us so we can get to know you, help you decide if medicine is right for you, and if so, help guide you through the admissions process.

 

Pre-Medical Tutors

  • Resident Tutors:
  • Non-Resident Tutors:
    • Jennifer Hao
    • Harrison Ngue
    • Jong Woo Lee
    • Angela Zou
    • Maggie Chen
    • George Dyer
    • Lindsay Overhage
    • Juliet Bramante
    • Mayowa Oke
    • Alexi Stavropoulos
    • Chinemerem Nwokemodo-Ihejirika

Key Links & Resources

  • Cabot Pre-Medical Mailing List
  • Getting Started
    • As a starting point, we highly recommend browsing the Harvard College Pre-Medical website. The website includes useful details for applying to medical school, as well as information on how to schedule pre-medical advising appointments with the Harvard College Pre-Medical Advisers.
  • Office Hours
    • Our tutor team hosts weekly office hours; this is a great place to bring any questions you have, whether you are exploring medical careers or planning next steps in the application process.
    • You can find the schedule here: Cabot Pre-Med Office Hours Schedule.
    • Office hour sessions can be reserved in 15-30 minute blocks; if you would like to reserve a time or have questions about a session, please email the tutor hosting that office hour.

 

Key Documents for Medical School Applicants

  • Personal Information Form (PIF) for 2026-2027 Cycle [Attached Below]
  • Request/Waiver Form for Recommendation Letters [Attached Below]
  • Harvard Mignone Center for Career Success (MCS) Guidelines: Applying to Medical School

 

Harvard Mignone Center for Career Success (MCS) Resources

 

Before You Apply to Medical School

  1. Complete Required Premedical Coursework
  2. Gain Hands-On Clinical Experience
    • Participate in clinical shadowing and service-learning opportunities to understand healthcare environments and patient care.
  3. Pursue Intellectual Passions Outside the Classroom
    • This could include research, community projects, or advocacy work in areas such as global health, healthcare policy, or any topic that genuinely excites you. Deep engagement and enthusiasm are key.
  4. Obtain Strong Letters of Recommendation
    • Build relationships with faculty who know you well.
    • You will typically need 3 to 6 letters: at least two from science professors, one from a non-science professor, and others from individuals who can speak to your character and achievements.
    • Get to know some faculty! Inviting them to the House is a great way to get started.
    • If you have questions about which letters you have on file at Cabot, email Cabot's Academic Coordinator.
    • For each letter of recommendation, complete the top half of the request form (in Key Documents above) and send it to your letter writer. Your letter writer will then complete the form and submit it, along with their confidential letter, to the Academic Coordinator. It is recommended that you waive your right to access the letters to maintain their confidentiality and credibility.
  5. Prepare for and Take the MCAT
    • Plan to complete the MCAT by the spring before you intend to start medical school. Early preparation is advised to allow time for retakes if needed.

 

The Medical School Application Process

The medical school application process begins about 18 months before you plan to start medical school. You will need to complete and submit the Personal Information Form (PIF) by the deadline listed on the form for your application year. Please email the completed PIF to ac_cabot@fas.harvard.edu (cc’ing Pre-Med Tutor Lead) to confirm your participation in this application cycle. The PIF collects information about your background, coursework, and motivation for medicine.

Once we review your PIF, we will assign you a Non-Resident Tutor to guide you through the process. Our tutors include experienced doctors, fellows, residents, and medical students who have supported many Cabot students. A key role of your tutor is to write your Committee Letter, which accompanies your recommendation letters and acts as a cover letter for your application. This letter incorporates your recommendation letters, PIF, conversations with your tutor, your grades, and MCAT scores to summarize your story as an applicant.

You will also receive a link from the Academic Coordinator to a Tracking Spreadsheet, which our pre-medical team uses to advise you throughout the cycle. It is essential to keep this tracking sheet fully updated, particularly with your final list of recommendation letters you want included in your Committee Letter.

Most medical schools use the AMCAS application, which opens for viewing in May and can be submitted starting in June of the year before you begin school. We recommend submitting your application by mid-June. Please send your AMCAS letter request form to ac_cabot@fas.harvard.edu. We recommend submitting all secondary applications within around two weeks of your receipt of the secondary application prompts.

To avoid delays, please ensure the Academic Coordinator receives the following information by the deadline listed in the PIF:

  • Your preferred email for AMCAS
  • Your AMCAS ID number
  • Your AMCAS letter ID numbers
  • If applicable, your TMDSAS number
  • Whether you are applying as MD, MD/PhD, or both
  • The list of schools you are applying to (to be indicated on your tracking sheet)
  • The list of recommendation letters you would like included in your Committee Letter packet (to be indicated on your tracking sheet)