Health Professions Recruitment & Exposure Program (HPREP) at Harvard Medical School - 8 Reasons Why It's a Great Experience
Pursuing higher studies and a career in medicine is one of the most challenging yet rewarding prospects for any ambitious high schooler. There are plenty of pre-college programs available that can help you on your journey by developing your STEM knowledge far beyond what you’d learn in high school, and by providing you exposure and networking opportunities that can truly make your profile shine. Today’s blog takes an in-depth look at one such program, the Health Professions Recruitment & Exposure Program (HPREP) at Harvard Medical School, and how it can give you a competitive edge in college applications.
What is HPREP?
HPREPÂ or the Health Professions Recruitment & Exposure Program is a 10-week, free-of-charge enrichment program designed to recruit students from the Boston area, particularly those from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds, to explore careers in science, medicine, and public health. The program offers an immersive experience in these fields, aiming to bridge educational disparities and enhance the representation of minority groups in healthcare professions. Through workshops, lectures, and hands-on activities provided by HPREP faculty on the Harvard Medical School campus, you will build your foundation of medical knowledge and skills, while networking with a community that supports your academic and professional aspirations.
How is HPREP structured?
HPREP runs from 9:30 am to 3:15 pm every Saturday from October 28, 2024 to February 3, 2025 (barring major holidays and winter break) at the Harvard Medical School. Over the course of the program, you’ll be learning about topics like:
Genetics
Cancer
Neuroscience and mental health
Microbiology
Immunology
The fundamentals of how human organs work
Harvard’s faculty will teach you these topics through lectures, regular laboratory work, and direct mentorship sessions. Each student is paired with a Harvard student mentor, who will also assist you in areas such as college applications and research projects. This mentorship culminates in your presentation at a closing ceremony, celebrating your accomplishments and learned skills throughout the program.
How much does HPREP cost?Â
Nothing! The program is fully-funded, and comes at no cost to its participants.Â
Is it prestigious?
The prestige of HPREP is significant due to its affiliation with Harvard Medical School and its impact on students' futures. It only accepts 75 students per year, and this selective nature combined with the rigorous academic enrichment you receive and the supportive mentorship environment all make it a noteworthy credential for your college applications. While the program is restricted to Boston area residents and does not have strict entry requirements, it offers a huge amount of learning and strives to improve access to STEM education for those with limited means. We rate HPREP as prestigious due to it being a Harvard program and the solid mentorship and exposure it offers.
Who is eligible for HPREP?
HPREP has straightforward and accessible eligibility criteria. You must be:
A high school student in grades 9-12.
A fresh applicant to HPREP, previous attendees are not eligible to apply.
Able to commute to the Harvard Medical School every Saturday of the program. HPREP is committed to serving local students and prefers to accept students from schools in the greater Boston area.
How does the application process work?
Applications for HPREP are currently closed, but typically feature an application form along with multiple essay questions. Each essay needs to be between 50-500 words, and the application (once open) is due by September 22nd. Note that there is no application or tuition fee that you need to pay - HPREP has made significant efforts to secure funding for the program and ensure that all eligible students regardless of their financial condition can attend it.
8 reasons why it’s a great experience
You will receive in-depth exposure to the medical field: You’ll gain hands-on experience in a variety of subjects, from genetics to public health.
You can focus on building advanced skills: You’ll develop critical skills like scientific reasoning, public speaking, and research methodology​.
You will receive one-to-one mentorship from Harvard students: You will be able to benefit from personalized guidance on academic and career aspirations from current and recently graduated Harvard Medical School students.
You will engage in a solid medical school experience: You’ll experience what it’s like to be a student at Harvard, using laboratories and facilities typically reserved for university-level research.
The program comes with great networking opportunities: Since you’ll be working directly with medical school grads, you’ll greatly improve your network not just for college, but for your future career.
You will receive training for college applications: HPREP has several workshops and seminars on how to improve your profile for college and effective strategies for applying to medical school.
The program is completely free: HPREP is fully funded, removing financial barriers to participation.
The community is highly supportive: HPREP’s goal is to provide an entry point to medical education for those without the means or access to it. It has been accordingly designed to provide a highly supportive environment and encourage you to pursue your dreams of a career in medicine.
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper in a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far, and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from.Â
You can find the application link here
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper in a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far, and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from.Â
You can find the application link here
One other option - Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
Image Source: HPREP logo