For students who are fully committed to careers in medicine, combined medical programs – those that grant you to earn both a bachelor of science and a medical degree – can be a great option. Students apply to BS/MD degree programs as high school senior. Students must be focused and organized during high school to accomplish everything necessary to be a viable candidate. As you read, keep in mind that many additional factors, including your personal experiences, written application, letters of reference, and interview performance, influence admissions decisions.As an update for 2023/2024, we are finding it may be “easier” to gain admissions to some BS/MD programs than elite collegeswhere acceptance rates have all dipped in to the single digits.That said, BS/MD programs take so few students, that they are all very, very competitive.
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For the vast majority of BS/MD programs, the undergraduate college associated with the program will not be as competitive or prestigious as the medical school.Therefore, a decision most students have to make is whether or not to apply to elite undergraduate programs in addition to BS/MD combined programs.
If you choose to apply to selective undergraduate institutions as well, you should realize that undergraduate admissions and medical school admissions are two distinct processes that require very different strategies and approaches.
The undergraduate application process requires applicants to complete the Common App (most common) or Coalition Application. You will have to think carefully about the ten activities you choose to highlight in your activities list, in what order you list them (yes, this matters), and how to use the stringent character limit (150 characters) to your advantage. You then need to decide what prompt and topic you will choose for your personal statement.
As admissions to elite colleges becomes more competitive every year with acceptance rates in the single digits, admission to some combined programs may actually be more attainable.In addition, more and more medical school applicants are taking gap years (at least one) to gain admission to medical school. Therefore, students who want a shorter path to medical school might decide BS/MD programs are the best option.
Accelerated Medical Programs, also called BS-MD, BA-MD, BA-DO, BS-DO or Direct Medical Programs, allow students to apply and gain admission to undergraduate college and a partner medical school simultaneously in the 12th grade. The significant differences between programs are the length of time it takes to complete them (lengths vary from six to eight years in total) and whether the program is associated with a medical school that is part of the same university or a medical school that is at a completely different institution. The more abbreviated programs are especially rigorous since you complete your college degree in a shorter time. Students in these programs often are in school year round.
For example, at The Brown Program in Liberal Medical Education both the undergraduate degree and medical degree are earned from Brown. In contrast, Albany Medical College has combined baccalaureate/MD programs with three undergraduate colleges: Union College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Sienna College.
Do not confuse BS/MD programs with early assurance programs (EAP), however. The confusion is understandable because both are similar in what they do and how they help students obtain guaranteed acceptance to a medical school. Early assurance programs allow students to apply early to medical school when they are sophomores in college.
Before deciding to apply to combined programs, you should understand what this commitment means about you and the plusses and minuses of doing so. EAPs offer guaranteed acceptance to medical school after students apply and go through a rigorous review once they are already enrolled in college. There are times that EAP matriculants can bypass some of the traditional medical school requirements such as the MCAT. The purpose behind having an MCAT exception is to allow students to focus on other interests and achievements.
A focused and committed student who is committed to a career in medicine can thrive in a combined BS MD or EAP program. You will be surrounded by like-minded peers who are as motivated as you are. Whether in an 8-, 7-, or 6-year program, you “gain time,” which gives you the flexibility to enhance your career or education after completing your combined program by doing research or getting an MPH, for example.
You will also avoid the medical school application process is long and complex. By having a guaranteed medical school admission, you avoid this experience and sometimes are not required to take the MCAT. while you still take all pre med course, this may lead to less overall stress. For some students, avoiding a second admissions process can be viewed as a real bonus.
This difference between BS-MD and BA-MD programs relates to the undergraduate degree that you earn as part of the program. With BS-MD programs you will earn a Bachelor of Science undergraduate degree and with BA-MD programs you will earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. BS-MD programs will be similar to college degrees in which you major in a scientific discipline and there you will enroll in more science classes as an undergraduate. In contrast, BA-MD programs allow you to enroll in more liberal arts classes while still taking all of the standard medical school prerequisites plus some upper level science classes. Also significant is that some programs require students to take the MCAT while others waive the MCAT requirement entirely. BS-DO programs are programs combined with osteopathic medical schools.
Combined medical programs vary in length and can be anywhere from six to eight years in length.Here are the most common BS-MD program structures:
List of 8 year BS/MD programs (4 years college + 4 years medical school):
List of 7 year BS/MD programs 7 years (3 years college + 4 years medical school):
List of 6 year BS/MD programs (2 years college + 4 years medical school):
Shorter programs tend to condense your education leaving less flexibility to enroll in non prerequisite courses that interest you and require you to enroll in summer classes as well. In contrast, eight year programs will more closely mirror a traditional path to medical school and provide greater opportunities to explore your interests inside and outside of medicine as an undergraduate.
Some programs offer distinct opportunities. For example, the Union College/Albany Combined program enables students to earn three degrees: a BA from Union College, and an M.S. or M.B.A. in Healthcare Management from Clarkson University-Capital Region Campus as well as an M.D. from Albany Medical College.
All successful combined program applicants have superior academic credentials and test scores and have enrolled in the most challenging high school courses available to them. Additionally, applicants are expected to be exceptionally mature, focused, and articulate.
5 key admissions categories to consider:
A stellar academic record is a key ingredient for successful BS/MD applicants. Many programs have cut offs meaning that your application won’t even be reviewed if you don’t have the minimum “numbers” thresholds. Even though most GPA cut-offs are 3.5, accepted BS/MD students generally have GPAs that are higher and close to 4.0 (unweighted). Students are expected to challenge themselves during high school by taking the most rigorous course offerings available. You must also aim high on the SAT/ACT and SAT subject tests. Ideally, try to earn a 1500 or higher on the SAT or a 34 or higher on the ACT. With SAT IIs now canceled, scores on AP exams will hold greater importance.
Regarding coursework, students are expected to take the most rigorous curriculum available to them including AP and IB classes. Many students take six or more core academic classes each year and some are one year ahead in match starting with Algebra 2 in freshman year. Some students also enroll in dual curriculums, but, this is not always necessary. If your high schools ranks students, ideally you should be in top 10% or higher.
Having meaningful research experiences during high school will help distinguish your candidacy. I am amazed by the research high school students sometimes perform; some start as early as the summer after freshman year doing valuable work. The type and discipline of research don’t really matter – find something that interests you. Contact local universities or medical schools and inquire about summer opportunities. If you are willing to devote several summers to a lab, or even some time during the school year, you will be more likely to be offered an opportunity.
There are also formal summer programs that allow you to do sophisticated mentored research.
READ:Most Prestigious High School Summer STEM Programs.
Many high schools also have formal research programs that start in the sophomore year of high school and the majority of STEM-focused high school students take advantage of these opportunities.
The highest achieving students, especially those who attend high schools with formal research programs, enter science competitions a win at which can be an important distinction when applying to both college and combined programs.
Demonstrating a commitment to your community is extremely important.In 2023/2024 we are seeing that medical schools especially value applicants who do community service within the realm of advocacy/social justice in any form.Consider more traditional volunteer venues such as volunteering at a hospital or nursing home, tutoring grade school kids at a community center or volunteering at a free clinic on weekends. Sometimes religious organizations have valuable community service programs and events. Also look for opportunities that allow you to advocate for others; this is especially important now. Medical school admissions committees love to see that you are service oriented, culturally competent, compassionate, and understanding.
On interviews, you will be assessed for your commitment to medicine and your understanding of it. You therefore need to demonstrate that you have explored the field of medicine enough to know that this is what you want to do. Shadowing a variety of physicians in different settings and from different disciplines will convince admissions committees that you have the exposure to make an informed decision about your career choice.
If you prefer a different clinical setting where you can really have some hands-on and valuable experiences, consider volunteering in a hospice or nursing home. Places such as this often are filled with patients in need of company, and I find that students have very meaningful experiences in these settings.
If you plan on applying to osteopathic medical school programs, you should have an idea of what osteopathic practice is like by shadowing an osteopathic physician.
During high school, you will have little time for much beyond your academics and what we have outlined here, but, if you do have extra time try to show that you have other interests, too. We encourage students to use any extra time to explore opportunities they enjoy most. Join your school’s math or debate team or get involved in a student club that is aligned with your curiosities. Do you play an instrument, act, or play a sport? Remember that schools are looking for “quality” and “impact” rather than “quantity” so choose wisely and try to stick with whatever you choose.
When asking for letters of recommendation, we suggest getting at least one science or math letter. If the student has done research, a letter from his or her principal investigator or mentor can be extremely beneficial.