
Application Process

The HEART Program is a track within the Summer Honors Undergraduate Research Program (SHURP) at HMS. Applications must be submitted through the Leadership Alliance Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP) beginning on November 1st, 2022. Required SR-EIP application materials include the following:
- A personal statement explaining your goals, research interest and experience and why you want to participate in the summer program (no more than 1,000 words)
- Two letters of recommendation that speak to your work in the lab and in the classroom
- A demonstrated commitment to scientific research, as shown by coursework, research, and recommendations
- Unofficial transcript(s) in PDF format
Applicants who indicate interest in MD-PhD training on the SR-EIP application will receive a supplementary application for the HEART Program. The supplementary application includes the following short essay questions:
- Students may feel underrepresented in medicine for a variety of reasons – common aspects of identity that may be contributory include socioeconomic background, racial or ethnic identity, sexual orientation or gender identity, and many more. To the degree that you feel comfortable, please share how your identity has shaped and may inform your path in research and medicine. (300 words max.)
- The physician-scientist track involves translating discoveries from the bench to the bedside and using patient interactions as inspiration for future research questions. We have heard about why you do the research that you have done and/or are currently pursuing, and we would love to know more about your interest in a career in medicine. Why are you passionate about training to become a physician-scientist, and how do you hope to impact medicine in your career? (300 words max.)
- Think about a research talk, paper, or lecture that you found to be inspiring, motivating, and/or interesting. Tell us about the impact that it had on you. (150 words max.)
- Tell us about one thing you love outside of science and medicine that isn't on your Leadership Alliance application elsewhere. Examples may include hobbies, happy places, loved ones, pets, interests, or anything that brings you joy. (150 words max.)
The SR-EIP application, HEART Program supplementary application, and all associated materials are due by February 1st, 2023. We highly recommend submitting the SR-EIP application early in order to have enough time to complete the supplementary application.
For additional questions regarding the application, please see the SHURP and SR-EIP websites.