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Eligibility

As the SCSP is a post-graduate training program, enrollees should have an M.D., D.M.D., or similar degree and will be at or near completion of their clinical training. The program also is suitable for scientists with Ph.D. degrees in clinical disciplines. The program is a full-time commitment (see section below, “Policy on Protected Time”). Program funding does not support stipends; therefore, most candidates are chosen from among those individuals who have been accepted into Harvard fellowship training programs. However, limited support for faculty members is available on a case-by-case basis. Applicants may be eligible for the Loan Repayment Program (LRP) for clinical investigators which provides for repayment of a portion of the educational loan debt. Information regarding the eligibility requirements and benefits of the program may be obtained via the LRP website.

Policy on Protected Time

The SCSP requires a student to have 80% protected time during the first year and 75% the second year. The SCSP is not prescriptive as to how the 20% clinical effort is comprised in the first year, since some training programs wish to intersperse outpatient and inpatient responsibilities. However, the 80% protected time is critical to the student’s success, given the time commitment required to pursue SCSP-related activities. We’ve learned that one half-day clinic involves more than 10% effort. Indeed, many healthcare systems allocate 12.5% effort for each half-day clinic session to accommodate for out-of-clinic time (e.g., phone calls, medical refills, review labs). We anticipate that students will also attend clinical conferences in their divisions and departments, thus adding to their clinical time. Therefore, a successful model that has been effective for prior students is to have one half-day clinic weekly. For most ACGME-accredited programs, this allocation is also adequate to maintain their required longitudinal experience.

Commitment to Diversity

The SCSP Committee on Admissions adheres to the Harvard commitment to a diverse student population, as reflected in the ethnic and economic backgrounds of the student body. The HMS Office of Recruitment and Multicultural Affairs recruits and provides supportive services to individuals from groups under-represented in medicine. In addition, the SCSP Executive Committee is committed to ensuring the success of minority and female students during their tenure in the program.

Tuition and Other Costs

Tuition is covered by funds from training grants and career development (K) awards or from funds from other sources (industry, foundations, etc.). If you do not fall into one of these categories, please contact the program office. Students needing more than 24 months to graduate are obligated to cover any costs associated with additional time in the program. Program funding does not support stipends. Books, library fees, and other ancillary costs are not covered by the program.

Instructions on Completing the Application for Admission to the SCSP

An application can be downloaded from this site in either writeable pdf format or as a word document. All requested information must be completed in full and sent electronically by the deadline date. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The completed application and all accompanying documentation (statement of intent, curriculum vitae, and letters of reference) must be sent electronically to scsp@hms.harvard.edu. Print copies of applications and supplementary material will not be accepted. An application fee of $50 is required and should be sent, in the form of a check made payable to Scholars in Clinical Science Program, to the following address:

Scholars in Clinical Science Program
Harvard Medical School
260 Longwood Avenue, Suite 157
Boston, MA 02115

Please include the name of the applicant on the check so that it can be properly identified.

Application Deadline

To be considered for admission to the class commencing in July 2009, applications will be accepted beginning on November 3, 2008. Applications received before this date will not be reviewed. All applications and supporting documents must be received electronically by January 9, 2009. Any applications and supporting documents received after this date will not be reviewed.

Letters of Recommendation

Please be sure to have three (3) letters of recommendation sent electronically to scsp@hms.harvard.edu. One of the three letters should be from your mentor and must state explicitely that s/he will be responsible for protecting your time (80% during year 1 and 75% during year 2) and guaranteeing your salary funding during the two-year program period. All letters must be received by the application deadline via e-mail; print copies of letters will not be accepted.

Statement of Intent

In a separate electronic document, with your name appearing at the top, please provide the following information:

  • Section A. Describe the general area of research in which you are interested and your reasons for choosing this area. Limit your response to 300 words.
  • Section B. Provide a general outline of the project(s) that you wish to complete during the tenure of your involvement in the program. Please provide as much detail as possible, including hypothesis, methods, and potential pitfalls. If you do not have a specific project in mind, describe in general what your project(s) might be. Limit your response to 700 words.
  • Section C. If you have chosen a mentor, what were your reasons for doing so? Limit your response to 200 words.
  • Section D. Describe your short-term and long-term career goals. Limit your response to 300 words.
  • Section E. Explain why you believe that the Scholars in Clinical Science Program will help you achieve these goals. Limit your response to 300 words.

This document must be sent to scsp@hms.harvard.edu by the deadline date or it will not be reviewed.