How to Write Harvard Medical School Secondary Essays (2025 Guide + Examples)

Harvard Medical School (HMS) is one of the most prestigious and competitive medical schools in the world. With an acceptance rate of just 3.4%, standing out on your application is essential. One of the most important ways to do this is through your secondary essays.

These essays give you the chance to highlight your journey, values, and experiences in a way that grades and test scores alone cannot capture. They are also your opportunity to show why you would be an excellent fit for Harvard’s rigorous and mission-driven environment.

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Harvard Medical School Secondary Essay Prompts

Harvard typically includes four main secondary prompts, with some considered “optional.” In practice, applicants are encouraged to respond to all that apply. Prompts often include:

I. Activities since graduation 

Summarize your post-grad experiences (work, research, volunteering, etc.).

II. Personal background/identity 

Discuss unique factors like socioeconomic challenges, educational barriers, or aspects of your identity that shaped your path.

III. COVID-19 impact 

Share how the pandemic affected your education, experiences, or perspective.

IV. Interview scheduling

Indicate any conflicts for interview dates (straightforward logistics).

Each essay is typically limited to 4,000 characters (except the scheduling prompt). Make sure to structure each with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.

Tips for Writing Strong Harvard Secondary Essays

1. Use Personal Stories

Instead of just listing achievements, anchor your essays in memorable experiences. For example, when discussing leadership, describe a moment when you helped resolve a team challenge rather than just stating you were a leader.

2. Show Growth Through Challenges

Prompts about disappointment or adversity are an opportunity to demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and self-awareness. Admissions officers want to see how setbacks shaped you.

3. Connect Back to Medicine

Every story should link back to why you want to become a physician. Even if the experience seems unrelated at first, draw out the lessons that prepared you for medical training.

4. Research Harvard’s Values

HMS emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and addressing healthcare disparities. When possible, connect your experiences to these values.

5. Be Authentic

Admissions committees can tell when applicants write what they think “sounds good.” Write honestly, in your own voice, and avoid repetition of information already covered in your primary application.

Example: Coping with Disappointment Essay

“As a student with dyslexia, I often felt setbacks came more easily than successes. Early in my academic career, I struggled with timed exams and lengthy reading assignments. Initially, I saw these as insurmountable barriers. Over time, however, I reframed them as opportunities to grow. By working with advisors, developing strategies, and leaning on community resources, I learned how to succeed academically while also gaining deep empathy for others who face barriers. These lessons will stay with me as a physician, reminding me to approach each patient with patience and understanding.”

Why it works: 

This essay highlights resilience, self-awareness, and empathy—qualities admissions committees value.

FAQs: Harvard Medical School Secondary Essays

#1. Should I answer the “optional” essays?

Yes. If the question applies to you, take the chance to share more about your journey. More essays give the committee a fuller picture of you.

#2. How long should my answers be?

Aim to use as much of the 4,000-character limit as you can, while staying concise and meaningful.

#3. How do I make my essays stand out?

Tell authentic, personal stories tied to your path in medicine. Avoid generic statements and instead focus on what shaped your commitment.

Final Thoughts

Writing Harvard Medical School’s secondary essays is demanding, but it’s also a powerful opportunity to stand out in a highly competitive applicant pool. Focus on telling your story with honesty, clarity, and purpose.

At Go Elective, we know that clinical experiences often shape the best personal narratives. Our pre-med and pre-health internships in Kenya and Tanzania give students guided hands-on opportunities to engage with diverse healthcare systems, build cultural competence, and develop stories that resonate in applications and interviews at elite institutions like Harvard.

By preparing thoroughly and pairing strong academics with meaningful experiences, you can present a compelling case for admission to Harvard Medical School.

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Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives, MCAT/MSAR/USMLE, Med Schools,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Sep 20, 2025