School Break Programs FAQs

Applications for School Break Programs will open soon.

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2026 HMS MEDscience School Break 4-day programs fees are:

MEDscienceClinical (4-day) program fee is $2250
MEDscienceLAB (4-day) program fee is $2250
MEDscienceLAB Forensics (4-day) program fee is $2250
MEDscienceTECH Moonshot Foundations (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.

HMS MEDscience School Break Program hours are:

9:00-3:30 PM Eastern Time

MEDscience Programs are located at:

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

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.

No. Students must be rising 10th, 11th, or 12th graders, or graduating high school seniors to be eligible to apply.

For MEDscienceLAB and MEDscienceLAB Forsensics only, students must be at least 16 years of age at the start of the program session.

Steps for applying to HMS MEDscience School Break Programs:

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

Step 1: Complete the MEDscience School Break Programs Application by March 25. 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 March 25.

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) If your application has not been received, review all forms to be sure they are complete. Remember to CLICK HERE TO SAVE on each form. Be sure to CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION on the Submit Your Application Form.

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

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

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

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.

The HMS MEDscience Program is pleased to offer a limited number of scholarships to Boston area students. 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 on December 1.

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.

The application period is October 1 to November 15.

Admission decisions will be emailed on December 1.

Payment can be made by credit card or ACH (eCheck) through the Harvard University secure payment system (Touchnet). To guarantee enrollment payment is due on December 12.

A Welcome Letter detailing more information about your session will be sent January 15.

Rolling Admission Application period is TBD.

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 $100 processing fee. Payments made cannot be deferred to future years.

2025 Withdrawal and Refund Deadlines
Before May 9, 2025 - 100% refund less $100 processing fee
May 10 to May 23, 2025 - 50% refund less $100 processing fee
May 24, 2025 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.

There are NO textbooks, NO homework and NO tests!

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

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

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.