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BS/MD Programs & How to Get Accepted: The Ultimate Guide (2023-2024)

Important tips to help you get accepted to BS MD programs.

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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 colleges where 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.

Elite College vs. BS/MD Program

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.

What is a BS/MD versus EAP Program?

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.

BS/MD vs. BA/MD vs. BS/DO: What’s the Difference?

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.

List of BS/MD Programs (Updated January, 2023)

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 6 year BS/MD programs (2 years college + 4 years medical school):

  • Howard University College of Medicine (Howard University)
  • University of Missouri in Kansas City (University of Missouri in Kansas City)

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.

BS/MD Admission Requirements

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:

  • Academics: BS/MD Admissions Grades and Test Scores
  • Research: Meaningful BS/MD Experiences
  • Community Service or Advocacy/Social Justice Work: Best Places to Volunteer for BS/MD Programs
  • Clinical Exposure: Opportunities for BS/MD Applicants
  • Extracurricular Activities: What else should you consider?
  • For the most competitive BS/MD programs like Brown PLME, evidence of interest in STEM and another discipline are recommended.

Academics: Grades, Test Scores, and Class Rank

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.

Research

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.

Community Service or Advocacy/Social Justice Work

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.

Clinical Exposure

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.

Extracurricular Activities

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.

Letters of Recommendation

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.

Applying to BS/MD Programs

The Common App

Regardless of whether or not you will be applying to combined BS/MD programs alone or both combined and traditional college programs, you will need to be familiar with the Common App. Between trying to maintain their stellar GPAs, studying for that last round of SATs or ACTs, and working on their personal statements and writing supplements, savvy students (or the younger siblings of those who have done this before) know to begin as early as possible.

One of the most low-stress ways to enter the fray is to make an account on the Common App website to familiarize yourself with the process. Get started by inputting the simple information and click around to see what’s what. The earlier you begin doing these things, the more time you will have later to draft, edit, and revise the more complicated and “important” areas: the personal statement, the activities section, and the sometimes-overlooked, school-specific supplemental writing questions.

Getting acquainted with the Common App site will also remind students of other perhaps-unknown (or forgotten) aspects of the college application process, such as getting letters of recommendation (including those for specialized programs or departments, or a whole other application for a particular program within the context of a larger school). Being able to see and understand everything that needs to get done on The Common App site increases students’ chances of completing their applications with time to spare.

The School-Specific Medical Portion of the Application

The most important essay in BS/MD applications is the “Why Medicine” question. The allowed word limit for most of these essays is 500.

Here is a typical prompt: Explain why you are interested in pursuing a career in medicine. Describe any life experiences that may have sparked this interest, as well as any personal attributes that make you especially suited for a medical career.

We encourage students to try and be as direct as possible in writing this essay, to show an understanding of medicine, and to highlight those experiences that have helped confirm a commitment to a career in medicine.

BS/MD Acceptance Rates

Some students apply to combined programs because they believe this path will be less competitive than applying to college first and then medical school. This is a misconception, however. Successful applicants to combined programs are extremely accomplished. Not only is it necessary to earn great grades and test scores in high school, but these applicants typically have research experience, exposure to medicine in some capacity (shadowing is most common), and often excel in another area as well, whether in community service, athletics, or the arts. Indeed, successful combined program applicants are often more accomplished than “traditional” medical school applicants.


Let’s review data from one of the most competitive BS/MD programs, The Brown Program in Liberal Medical Education which allows students to earn a degree from The Brown School of Medicine:


Brown PLME received 2641 applications last year and 94 of those students were admitted (20 early decision and 74 regular action) yielding a 3.5% acceptance rate. 61 of those accepted actually enrolled. Average SATs for accepted students: 742 EBRW and 770 Math and 34 ACT composite.

Keep in mind that the overall acceptance rate to allopathic medical schools in the United States is about 5-6%.

Sample BS/MD Essay

The smell of my mother’s traditional brisket beckoned us from the TV room where we were watching the Thanksgiving Day parade, an annual tradition in our family. Just as we were about to sit down to our Thanksgiving brunch, as we called it, my aunt’s cell phone rang. Based on her expression, I knew this wasn’t good. Immediately, she announced she had to run to the hospital because one of her patients was sick. My aunt, a cardiologist, knew I wanted to become a doctor, so she asked if I wanted to join her. 

When we arrived in the ICU, we saw the patient’s family huddled in the waiting room. We then proceeded swiftly to the patient’s room where the medical team was doing compressions. I was only a freshman in high school and wished I could do more. I prayed for the patient since that was all I could offer. 

As I progressed through high school, I tried to learn as much about medicine and science as I could. I shadowed any specialist who would let me tag along. This included a surgeon, a pediatrician, an emergency physician, and an internist. I learned about medical practice in private and urban settings, the challenges facing patients who lack access to care, and the complexities of medical practice. I also realized how differently medicine is practiced, depending on the specialty and setting.

Inspired, I independently sought out research in clinical oncology to learn about the scientific process and inquiry. I studied the impact that hydrogen sulfide has on colon cancer in memory of my grandfather who died from colon cancer. I learned how to think critically and evaluate my results and the literature analytically. This experience also inspired my future interest in research and academic medicine.

Additionally, my volunteer work in hospice has helped me understand end of life issues, the value of compassion and understanding in medicine, and that each person deserves to die with dignity. I have also come to understand the varied cultural perceptions of death and illness and realize the importance of cultural competence when caring for others.

My experiences have nurtured my interest in medicine while helping me to focus on my future goals. The exposure I have had to medicine and research makes me realize that a career in medicine will allow me to satisfy my intellectual curiosities while becoming a leader in my community.

Even though my aunt’s patient died that Thanksgiving day, the grieving family still expressed their gratitude for providing the best care possible. It is my hope to some day become a physician who can be seen as someone who did everything in her power to cure, even when poor outcomes are inevitable . I hope to use the skills and knowledge I gain in medical school to ease suffering with kindness.

The BS/MD Interview

Accelerated medical programs may involve two sets of interviews; one with the undergraduate college and one with the medical school, however, most only require a medical school interview.

Every year I receive calls from students who were unable to meet this criterion. Typically, students fail to maintain the minimum GPA because they become distracted by social activities, take their medical school seat for granted, or find other interests when they have freedom and are somewhat removed from parental pressure.

Thus, interviewers at these programs are trying to assess several characteristics:

  • Are you mature?
  • Are you truly committed to a career in medicine, and do you understand what it means to be a physician?
  • Are you going to “make it?”

Your interviewer wants to be sure that you have the diligence, focus, maturity and discipline to take on a rigorous course load. They also want to know that you are pursuing this path be- cause it is what you want and not because of pressure from your parents. Your interviewer is trying to assess the likelihood that you will succeed if you don’t have your parents around to “keep you on track.” The path you are taking will not be easy and will require you to work incredibly hard and interviewers need to make sure you realize this. Applicants to BS/MD and early admissions programs and a very accomplished group who have often accomplished as much as the typical premedical applicant. It makes sense, then, that these programs are very competitive and earning an interview is an huge victory in and of itself.

Some interview questions that are unique to BS/MD and early admissions programs:

  • What will be the greatest challenges you will face in this program?
  • Why do you want to pursue an accelerated program rather than the traditional route to medical school?
  • How do you know you want to be a doctor?
  • When did you know you wanted to be a doctor?
  • What have you done without the influence of your parents?
  • How do you manage your time and remember everything you need to do?
  • What undergraduate studies interest you?
  • How will you manage the pressure of medical school?
  • What will you do with “extra time” attending such a program will afford you?
  • What motivates you?

BS/MD Program Drawbacks

Whether or not a combined program is “worth it” is really a personal decision. Since BA/BS-MD applicants are guaranteed admission to medical school (if certain criteria are met including maintaining a certain GPA throughout college) this alleviates a lot of pressure for applicants as undergraduates. Students who gain admission to programs that are less than eight years will also save tuition dollars which can be significant. Many combined programs are associated with less prestigious undergraduate colleges and medical schools and there is no way to know if better opportunities might exist at more selective institutions. Since most BA/BS-MD applicants are exceptional students, most have to weigh the option of attending a more prestigious undergraduate college versus a less prestigious one that is part of a BA/BS-MD program.

The Accelerated Admissions Process is Complex

Since applicants to combined programs are applying to two types of programs at the same time (college and medical school), the admissions process is complicated. It requires students to complete both the college common application and a medical school application for each affiliated medical school. A medical school interview is also required for admission. So the student applying to combined programs must write more essays, complete more applications, and go on interviews.

Once Admitted, You Must Still Do Well in College

Most combined programs require that students earn a minimum GPA (typically a 3.5 overall) in college to keep their medical school spot. If a student drops below this GPA, the admission to medical school may be rescinded. Some programs also require students to take the MCAT.

The Undergraduate Colleges Associated with Programs may not be your top Choice

Applicants to combined programs tend to be highly motivated and successful people inside and outside the classroom. Most combined programs are not associated with top-tier undergraduate colleges or med schools, however. Therefore, when deciding whether or not to apply to combined programs, students must realize they could likely gain acceptance to a much more selective college than is associated with the programs to which they are applying. Most students, since they must complete the common application as a part of this process anyway, decide to also apply to their top choice selective colleges, which means submitting two stellar applications – the common college application and the medical school application required of each medical school. Then, once the student knows where he or she has been accepted, he may decide to go the “traditional route,” which might afford the opportunity to go a top-notch college rather than the lower ranked college that would be a part of a combined program.

Less Academic, Extracurricular, and Social Freedom

In BS/MD programs that are essentially “condensed,” students have fewer options to explore and discover all their academic interests because combined programs typically offer less curricular flexibility than traditional ones. And since summers are spent working and studying, students don’t have as many options to work (or play!) in the summer, to travel, study abroad, or participate in extracurricular activities. Because of the intensive and serious nature of combined programs, students may also have less time to socialize, spend time with friends and family, and participate in traditional college activities. For these reasons, many students decide to go the more traditional route so they can have a more traditional undergraduate experiences.

In short, combined programs can offer the intensity, direction, and focus that the exceptional student who is mature and fully committed to a career in medicine needs to thrive in her education and career. However, for the student who is interested in medicine but also has other curiosities she wants to explore, or who prefers a more typical college experience, these programs can hinder overall development and maturation. Whether or not to pursue a combined program is really a personal decision that each individual should consider carefully by weighing the positive and the negatives of this path.

In the end, your career options when graduating medical school are likely to be the similar if you took a more traditional path, but, for many focused and committed students, traveling that path at a faster pace and with less pressure makes combined programs very much worth it!

Final thoughts

For a focused student who knows he or she wants to go to medical school, accelerated programs can be the perfect fit. However, for the student who isn’t 100% sure or wants to have more space and time to explore other interests, a more traditional route might be a better choice. The successful BS/MD applicant must be able to present a narrative that convinces the reader or interviewer of a well developed interest in medicine together with stellar academics, exceptional maturity, and impressive achievements.

About MedEdits

MedEdits helps students get admitted to BS/MD medical school and residency programs. Our consultants have years of experience serving on medical school admissions committees, and as faculty members at the top medical schools in the country. At MedEdits, you will never work with a student advisor. While peer to peer guidance has value, we do not feel this is the best investment for such a high-stakes admissions process.

Need Help With Your BS/MD Application?

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List of BS-MD Programs

A list of all BS/MD programs organized by state.

JESSICA FREEDMAN, M.D., is a former faculty member and admissions committee member at the Icahn School of Mount Sinai and is the founder and chair of MedEdits Medical Admissions. She is also the author of the MedEdits Guide to Medical Admissions and The Medical School Interview which you can find on Amazon. Follow Dr. Freedman and MedEdits on Facebook and YouTube.

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