School Break Program FAQs

Program Overview & Eligibility

  • HMS MEDscience Programs are open to high school students currently enrolled in grades 9–12 at the time of application. Students currently in 8th grade who will enter 9th grade in Fall 2027 are not eligible to apply.

    Some programs may have additional age or eligibility requirements. Please review the individual program description before applying.

  • We welcome international students to apply! All MEDscience School Break Programs are short term, not-for-credit programs.

  • MEDscience Programs are located at:

    Harvard Medical School
    Armenise Building 210
    Longwood Avenue
    Boston, MA 02115

  • HMS MEDscience School Break Program hours are:

    9:00-3:30 PM Eastern Time

    Subject to change

  • HMS MEDscience School Break Programs are non-residential programs. Housing and travel are not included and are the responsibilities of families/guardians. Students must be accompanied at their local accommodations by parents/guardians or responsible adults for the duration of the program.

  • Here are some helpful links to plan your travels:

    Directions to HMS MEDscience
    MBTA Trip Planner for Planning Routes Using Subway and Bus System
    Parking Garages Near HMS
    Accommodations Near HMS (These are suggestions only and not official recommendations.)

Applications & Admissions

  • Applications for School Break 2027 are open October 1 to November 9, 2026.

    Students must complete the HMS MEDscience School Break Program Application through our online system. The application contains 2 parts, the Student Application and the Teacher Assessment.

    Step 1: Complete the MEDscience School Break Program Application by November 9. The application requires student information, programs and sessions selection, three essay questions, parental consents, and a teacher’s name and email for the Teacher Assessment. A Teacher Assessment Form is sent automatically to your teacher to complete.

    Step 2: Follow up with your teacher that they received the Teacher Assessment Form. Teacher Assessment deadline is November 9.

    Step 3: Check to see if everything is done. Login to your Application. View the Application Status Form to check if your application and the Teacher Assessment have been received.

    a) Review all forms to be sure they are complete.

    b) If the Teacher Assessment has not been received, follow up with your teacher.

    Step 4: Decision notifications will be emailed on December 1.

  • The application period is October 1 to November 9.

    Admission decisions will be emailed on December 1.

    If accepted, the payment and enrollment deadline is December 10. Payment may be made by credit card or ACH (eCheck) through the Harvard University secure payment system (Touchnet).

    Upon enrollment, a Welcome Letter detailing information about your session will be sent January 15.

  • Students complete a Teacher Assessment Request Form in the application with their teacher’s name and email address. Your teacher is emailed an online assessment form to complete and submit. Students are encouraged to reach out to their teacher and notify them to expect an email from Harvard Medical School MEDscience on their behalf. We accept assessments from teachers, guidance counselors, school officials, coaches and mentors.

  • Transcripts are not required and there is no GPA requirement to apply.

  • Acceptance to a Harvard Medical School MEDscience School Break Programs is competitive. Admission is based on the strength of the student’s essays and teacher assessment. All applications are carefully evaluated by our admissions committee. We strive to accept as many qualified students as possible while seats are available.

  • Rolling Admission Application period is TBD.

  • You may receive emails or be directed to several official MEDscience Program systems. These include:

    • Regpack - our official application and enrollment platform

    • Constant Contact - for program updates and reminders

    • Outlook (medsciencesummer@hms.harvard.edu) - direct communication from our team

    • Salesforce/American Red Cross - for programs includes CPR/AED certification

    • Touchnet - Harvard University’s official payment system

    To ensure you do not miss important information, please:

    • Add these senders to your safe list

    • Check your spam, junk, and Promotions (Gmail) folders regularly

    If you have any questions about a link or communication, please contact us directly at medsciencesummer@hms.harvard.edu.

  • Yes. Regpack is our official and secure application and enrollment platform.

    All MEDscience applications and some communications are processed through Regpack. While the link will redirect you to a third-party site, this is correct and expected.

    If you have any questions about a link or communication, please contact us directly at medsciencesummer@hms.harvard.edu.

Fees, Scholarships & Refunds

  • 2027 HMS MEDscience School Break 5-day program fee is $2800.

    2027 HMS MEDscience School Break 4-day program fee is $2250.

    Scrubs and all program materials are included in the program fee.

    Lunch and snacks are included in the program fee.

  • The HMS MEDscience Program is pleased to offer a limited number of scholarships to Greater Boston area students with preference given to residents of Suffolk, Norfolk, Middlesex, Essex, and Plymouth counties. These scholarships range from partial to full scholarships and award amounts are determined by many variables, including family finances and availability of funds. Scholarships are awarded to students who have been accepted into the program and have submitted a Scholarship Application. Not all scholarship applicants may be eligible for or receive a scholarship.

    Students are notified of their scholarship decision at the same time as their admission decision.

  • To withdraw from the program, students must notify HMS MEDscience in writing via email to medsciencesummer@hms.harvard.edu. Depending on the date of withdrawal, program fees may be refunded. Refunds will incur a $200 processing fee. Payments made cannot be deferred to future years.

    MEDscience School Break Program
    2027 Withdrawal and Refund Deadlines
    Before January 8, 2027 - 100% refund less $200 processing fee
    January 9, 2026 to January 20, 2027 - 50% refund less $200 processing fee
    January 21, 2027 and after - No refund

    Non-Participation
    There are no refunds of program fees in cases where a student fails to attend the program in part or in whole, voluntary or otherwise. Payments made cannot be deferred to future years.

    Program Cancellation
    In the event that our program is cancelled due to decisions by Harvard Medical School or state or local authorities, 100% of payments made will be refunded.

During the Program

  • There are NO textbooks, NO homework and NO tests!

  • CPR/AED training and certification is not offered in the 4-day programs.

Program Completion

  • Upon completion, students receive a Harvard Medical School MEDscience Program Certificate of Completion. Students must be in full attendance for all programs days to receive the Certificate of Completion.

  • All MEDscience School Break Programs are not-for-credit and transcripts are not provided.

Still have questions?

Contact us at medsciencesummer@hms.harvard.edu for additional support.

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