• Yes, the Harvard Medical School Pre-College HMX Program consists of non-credit-bearing courses from Harvard Medical School. Harvard Medical School instructors design the course curricula and teach the courses in pre-recorded videos. Students earn a Certificate of Completion from Harvard Medical School for each course completed.

• The program is designed for high school or U.S.-high-school-equivalent students, including those who are taking a “gap year” between high school and college. Students should be between 13 and up, not yet enrolled in college, and no more than 1 year post-high school graduation (“gap year”).
• We are unable to accept students under 13 years of age.

• The program is designed to be 100% flexible between your start and end dates. The lesson content is asynchronous, meaning you study whenever you’d like. Quizzes and exams can also be taken whenever it’s convenient for you.
• Since no live meetings or specific study times are required, you can plan your course time around your other commitments as long as you have approximately 30-40 total hours to devote to the course between the start and end dates of your chosen cohort/session. You should also plan a convenient time to take your final exam (90 minutes) prior to your end date.

Yes, if your application has been approved you can sign in to your profile to change your course or dates:

• Haven't enrolled yet? You or your registered parent/guardian can click the Cart button at the top of the profile page to edit, remove, or add items to your cart.
• Already enrolled? Click the Courses tab on the left-hand side of your profile page to switch to a different course or cohort. If the current or desired cohort starts in less than 7 days, or if you're a parent/guardian, please contact support@pc.hms.harvard.edu with the preferred dates.

If you aren't sure which dates are best for you, we recommend that you enroll in the cohort most likely to work and switch later if needed.

• Yes! There is no limit to how many courses you can take. In fact, many of our students find it beneficial to take multiple courses to fully explore their academic areas of interest.

• Yes, you can participate from any time zone. Mentors most frequently interact during daytime hours in U.S. time zones (U.S. PT/MT/CT/ET), but we have students from all over the world studying with us.

• The tuition for each course is $1,795. There are no additional fees.

• We accept most major credit cards (AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa UnionPay, JCB, etc.), as well as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay, and WeChat Pay.

• We offer need-based scholarships in each cohort to students exhibiting high potential and an inability to pay full tuition.
• If you haven’t applied to the program, apply here. After submitting your application, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” on the confirmation page to request a scholarship.  
• If you’ve already applied to the program, sign in to your Profile to check your scholarship status. If we don’t have a scholarship request on file, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” to request a scholarship.

• Click here to apply; you’ll be guided through the application. It’s only a few pages, and it takes just a moment to get started. You won’t be required to provide transcripts or letters of recommendation. Instead, we will ask you for some basic information and to submit one brief personal statement. The entire application should take no more than 20-30 minutes to complete.

• We need some basic information about you and want to know why you’re interested in the course(s) you’ve chosen. You can complete your personal statement with a short essay, video, and/or other media files that tell your story. The most important part of your application is your personal statement.
• While we welcome students whose primary languages are not English, the course is taught in English, and application submissions must also be provided in English. Applications submitted in languages other than English will not be reviewed.
• Students must be at least 13 years old; no more than 19 years old; and no more than one year removed from high school graduation.

• You can apply to one or multiple courses with one application. Applying to multiple courses does not affect your chances of being accepted to any one course.
• If you are interested in more than one course, we strongly encourage you to choose different dates for each so that you have time to get the most out of each program.

• You’ll usually be notified via email within five business days. At peak times, or if we have questions about the information you’ve provided, it may take a few additional days to review your application and send you a decision.

• No, if you’ve already applied and been accepted you can sign in to your Profile and click the Cart icon at the top of the page to edit, remove, or add new programs to your cart.

• Our courses include engaging and interactive lessons with the instructors via pre-recorded videos.
• You’ll complete quizzes and knowledge checks on your own schedule.
• You’ll receive support and guidance from a mentor via email and discussion board.

• In total, the course will take approximately 30-40 hours to complete from start to finish, including a 90-minute final exam which must be taken by your end date. 
• Our course durations vary depending on when you take the course. Regardless of your selection, all options contain the same program content, sessions, and support.
• You have the flexibility to complete the coursework on your schedule, while keeping in mind that all work must be completed before the end of the course you’re enrolled in.
• Note that you will continue to have view-only access to the course for 1 month from your cohort end date.

• Most courses can be completed on your computer, smartphone, or tablet, however, some do require additional materials. 

• You’ll receive an online course invitation at least two days prior to your course start date. Students who enroll at or near the deadline may receive credentials slightly later.

• No, this program is for enrichment and does not provide college credit.
• You will receive an official Certificate of Completion from Harvard Medical School, which you can include on your resume or college application.

• Participation in the pre-college online program will not afford you any preferential treatment in the Harvard admissions process; however, it will add a university non-credit course to your college application.

• Yes, you will receive a certificate of completion if you complete at least 70% of the course assignments and final exam by the end of the program. For more information, view the Academic Requirement section of our Terms of Use.
• See a sample version of the Certificate here:

• Each unit will include quizzes, most of which are scored. At the end of the course you will take a Final Exam. Your final score will be calculated based on your scores on these assessments.

• Course lessons include knowledge checks and review quizzes aimed to solidify and reinforce your knowledge of the course content, and culminate in a comprehensive final exam. 
• At the end of each lesson, you’ll have the opportunity to complete a review survey to reflect on the content and your experience.

• You will have until the end of the course to complete your assignments and final exam. You should also plan a convenient time to take your final exam (90 minutes) prior to your end date. The time limit to complete the final exam will also be available to you in Canvas, the digital course platform.

• Biochemistry course
• Genetics course
• Immunology course
• Pharmacology course
• Physiology course

• Mentors are well-versed in your course subject and will work with you throughout the course. They will provide encouragement and direction, as well as the inspiration and confidence to be successful. In short, you won’t need to go it alone.

• Course mentors will support you by answering your course-related questions and providing guidance, encouragement, and recommendations throughout the course.

• You’ll have the opportunity to connect with your mentor virtually during your course through the Canvas Inbox and discussion board. Reach out to your mentor whenever you have any questions or need support regarding your course content.

• We know that your plans may change. You may cancel your enrollment without penalty and receive 100% of tuition/fees paid if we receive your request to cancel at least seven (7) calendar days prior to your start date.
• All tuition/fees paid for a program become non-refundable six (6) days prior to your scheduled start date for that program. However, you may be able to switch your enrollment to another program or cohort.
• If your plans change after you’ve enrolled, reach out to us at support@pc.hms.harvard.edu as soon as possible so that we can offer you the most flexibility.

• A strong internet connection (WiFi or wired) is required as the course is online.
• Our digital course platform, Canvas, is compatible with most browsers and devices. You can download the Canvas Student app on the App Store or Google Play.

• Enrolled students will receive course access via email at least 2 days prior to your course start date. Students who enroll at or near the deadline may receive credentials slightly later.

• Download the Canvas Student app on the App Store or Google Play. 
• Once downloaded, input “Harvard Medical School Pre-College HMX Program” under “What’s your school’s name?”
• Then, log into Canvas with your credentials.

• You must complete all of the assignments for your course by the end of your course session. You’ll have view-only access to the course for 1 month from your cohort end date.

• We offer need-based scholarships for participating students who exhibit high potential and an inability to pay the full tuition.
• If your student hasn't applied to the program, they can apply here. After submitting your application, they can click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” on the confirmation page to request a scholarship.  
• If your student has already applied to the program, they can sign in to their Profile to check their scholarship status. If we don’t have a scholarship request on file, they can click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” to request a scholarship.

• Email us at support@pc.hms.harvard.edu and a member of our Support Team will get back to you as soon as possible.
• You can view our full terms of use here.