Applying to BS/MD programs? When did you know that you wanted to be a doctor? For some premeds, they decided to become a doctor during their undergraduate studies, but for others, they knew they wanted to be a doctor from a very young age. As competition to get into medical schools continues to rise, applicants are seeking ways to secure their future career as a physician as early on as possible. BS/MD programs may provide this opportunity, so if you're considering applying to this joint program, you've come to the right place.

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Is a BS/MD Program Right For Me?: MD Opinion How Competitive are BS/MD Programs? How to Get Into BS/MD Programs BS/MD Admission Interviews FAQs

Is a BS/MD Program Right For Me?: MD Opinion

“I did not apply to any of these programs. I knew that I wanted to take gap years prior to medical school. My work/research experience made me a more well-rounded individual that affected my career prospects in medicine ... I have worked with a few colleagues who have [completed a BS/MD]. I also know a few people who have dropped out of such programs. I have a relatively neutral view towards these and believe that they could either assist premeds or be a hindrance, depending on the specific individual. I would be very cautious in recommending them as it could limit prospects for those who discover they don’t necessarily want to pursue medicine during the undergraduate portion of the program.” – Dr. Tony Huynh, DO


"I applied to a BS/MD program, but got rejected. I applied because I knew medicine was the right career choice and I wanted to fast-track undergraduate studies as much as possible. Given the amount of 'extra courses' that were non-medicine related, I felt 4 years of undergrad was a stretch and was eager to start learning medicine as much as possible. Even though I got rejected, simply going through the process of applying to BS/MD was phenomenal as it was identical to applying to medical school. The components of application preparation, personal statement, work/activities, interviews, were so similar that applying to medical school was quite easy for me." – Dr. Sona Nuguri


"I started to consider a BS/MD program when I was a junior in high school. At that time I was already thinking about going into medicine and had started exploring clinical opportunities. However, there were only a few locations that I was interested in and some of those locations still required you to take the MCAT, so I didn't really see a benefit in doing the program ... At the end, I really wasn't 100% committed and I felt that this was the major reason not to apply." – Dr. Monica Taneja, MD


BS/MD programs are extremely competitive programs designed to give exceptional high school students, and in some cases, first or second-year undergrads, the chance to complete their baccalaureate degree and proceed directly into medical school to obtain their MD.

In some cases, the undergraduate degree and medical degree will be obtained from the same university, while in other cases, each degree will be completed at a separate partnered institution. Depending on the program, students can obtain both a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts, along with an MD or DO in 7-8 years.

Seven-year BS/MD programs are accelerated versions of the eight-year program, allowing students to complete their undergrad degree in only 3 years. While rare, a handful of schools offer BS/MD programs that take only 6 years to complete, combining an accelerated undergrad with a 3-year medical school curriculum.



BS/MD programs are a good way for dedicated premed students to accelerate their journey into medicine.

Knowing whether a BS/MD program is right for you is a tricky question to answer. While there are some benefits to enrolling in one of these programs, there are also factors that are important to consider. Weigh these pros and cons versus following a traditional path to medical school.

Pros of BS/MD

Cons of BS/MD

How Competitive are BS/MD Programs?

How competitive are BS/MD programs? Some BS/MD programs accept as few as 4-5 students but the number of applicants fighting for those spots could be in the hundreds, if not thousands. The popularity of BS/MD programs is growing and because of that, more and more applicants are fighting to gain a spot. Most programs have an acceptance rate ranging from 1-5%, making the level of competition fierce. Many BS/MD programs set minimum GPA, SAT or ACT stipulations and require high school students to be in the top 5-10% of their graduating class to be considered.

BS/MD and BA/MD Programs

This list is comprised of BS/MD programs that are available to high school students and it includes each school's admission statistics, available positions, and program duration. The SAT, ACT, and GPA scores below are the minimum requirements for consideration unless otherwise specified.

Albany Medical College

Link: Albany Medical College

Admission Stats: 3.5 GPA or top 10% of class

Program Type: BS/MD

Program Seats: 45

Program Length: 7-8 years

Baylor College of Medicine

Link: Baylor College of Medicine

Admission Stats: 3.7 GPA: 1430 SAT; 32 ACT

Program Type: BS/MD and BA/MD

Program Seats: 6

Program Length: 8 years

Boston University School of Medicine

Link: Boston University School of Medicine

Admission Stats: 2.2% acceptance rate

Program Type: BS/MD and BA/MD

Program Seats: 22

Program Length: 7 years

Case Western Reserve University

Link: Case Western Reserve University

Admission Stats: 3.5 GPA

Program Type: BS/MD or BA/MD

Program Seats: 15-20

Program Length: 7 years

Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University

Link: Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University

Admission Stats: 4.3 Weighted GPA; 1490 SAT or 33 ACT; 12% acceptance rate

Program Type: BS/MD

Program Seats: 12

Program Length: 7-8 years

Cooper Medical School of Rowan University

Link: Cooper Medical School of Rowan University

Admission Stats: 3.5 GPA, 1360 SAT, 28 ACT

Program Type: BS/MD or BS/DO

Program Seats: N/A

Program Length: 7 years

CUNY School of Medicine

Link: CUNY School of Medicine

Admission Stats: N/A

Program Type: BS/MD

Program Seats: N/A

Program Length: 7 years

Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell

Link: Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell

Admission Stats: 3.7 GPA; SAT 1410 or 32 ACT

Program Type: BS/MD and BA/MD

Program Seats: 15-20

Program Length: 8 years

Drexel University College of Medicine

Link: Drexel University College of Medicine

Admission Stats: 3.5 GPA; 1420 SAT; 32 ACT

Program Type: BS/MD or BA/MD

Program Seats: 32

Program Length: 8 years

George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Link: George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Admission Stats: 3.6 GPA; 1390 SAT or ACT 30

Program Type: BA/MD

Program Seats: 20

Program Length: 7 years

Howard University College of Medicine

Link: Howard University College of Medicine

Admission Stats: 3.5 GPA; 1300+ SAT; 28+ ACT

Program Type: BS/MD

Program Seats: 12

Program Length: 6 years

Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

Link: Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

Admission Stats: 3.5 GPA; 1350 SAT; ACT 31

Program Type: BA/MD or BS/MD

Program Seats: N/A

Program Length: 8 years

Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine

Link: Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine

Admission Stats: 3/75 GPA; 1390 SAT; ACT 30

Program Type: BS/MD

Program Seats: 13

Program Length: 7 years

Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University

Link: Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University

Admission Stats: GPA 3.7; 1450 SAT; ACT 32

Program Type: BS/MD

Program Seats: N/A

Program Length: 7 years

Meharry Medical College School of Medicine

Link: Meharry Medical College School of Medicine

Admission Stats: 3.25 GPA

Program Type: BS/MD

Program Seats: N/A

Program Length: 7 years

Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine

Link: Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine

Admission Stats: Program Suspended

Program Type: BS/MD

Program Seats: 10-15

Program Length: 7-8 years

Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University

Link: Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University

Admission Stats: 3.9 GPA; 1490-1590 SAT; 35-36 ACT

Program Type: BS/MD or BA/MD

Program Seats: 4

Program Length: 8 years

Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

Link: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

Admission Stats: 1400 SAT or 32 ACT; Top 10% of class; 28% acceptance rate

Program Type: BA/MD

Program Seats: 22

Program Length: 7 years

Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Link: Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Admission Stats: 3.5 GPA; SAT/ACT scores required

Program Type: BA/MD

Program Seats: 7

Program Length: 7 years

Saint Louis University School of Medicine

Link: Saint Louis University School of Medicine

Admission Stats: 3.65 GPA; 1330 SAT; ACT of 30; 9% acceptance rate

Program Type: BS/MD and BA/MD

Program Seats: N/A

Program Length: 8 years

Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University

Link: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University

Admission Stats: Top 10% of class; 1570 SAT; 36 ACT

Program Type: BS/MD

Program Seats: 25

Program Length: 7 years

State University of New York Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine

Link: State University of New York Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine

Admission Stats: N/A

Program Type: BA/MD

Program Seats: 15

Program Length: 8 years

The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences

Link: The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences

Admission Stats: 3.8 GPA; 1410 SAT; 30 ACT

Program Type: BS/MD

Program Seats: No limit

Program Length: 8 years

The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

Link: The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

Admission Stats: No minimum GPA; SAT and ACT scores optional

Program Type: BS/MD or BA/MD

Program Seats: 50

Program Length: 8 years

University of Alabama School of Medicine

Link: University of Alabama School of Medicine

Admission Stats: 4.34 GPA; ACT 33; 1470 SAT; 4.1% acceptance rate

Program Type: BS/MD

Program Seats: 16

Program Length: 8 years

University of Central Florida College of Medicine

Link: University of Central Florida College of Medicine

Admission Stats: Students must be current Burnett Honors Scholars in good standing with the college and planning to attend medical school

Program Type: BS/MD and BA/MD

Program Seats: N/A

Program Length: 8 years

University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine

Link: University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine

Admission Stats: 3.7 GPA; MCAT score 515+ for med school admissions

Program Type: BA/MD

Program Seats: N/A

Program Length: 8 years

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Link: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Admission Stats: 3.5 GPA; 1270 composite SAT; 27 composite ACT

Program Type: BS/MD

Program Seats: 7

Program Length: 8 years

University of Colorado School of Medicine

Link: University of Colorado School of Medicine

Admission Stats: 3.5 GPA; 27+ ACT; 1185+ SAT; 10% acceptance rate

Program Type: BS/MD and BA/MD

Program Seats: 10

Program Length: 8 years

University of Connecticut School of Medicine

Link: University of Connecticut School of Medicine

Admission Stats: 3.5 GPA; SAT or ACT required; 4.8% acceptance rate

Program Type: BS/MD and BA/MD

Program Seats: N/A

Program Length: 8 years

University of Florida College of Medicine

Link: University of Florida College of Medicine

Admission Stats: 1400 SAT and 32 ACT

Program Type: BS/MD

Program Seats: N/A

Program Length: 7 years

University of Illinois College of Medicine

Link: University of Illinois College of Medicine

Admission Stats: 3.85 GPA; 1310 SAT; ACT of 28; 6.4% acceptance rate

Program Type: BS/MD

Program Seats: 45

Program Length: 8 years

University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine

Link: University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine

Admission Stats: Open only to current undergraduate students

Program Type: BS/MA and BA/MD

Program Seats: N/A

Program Length: 7-8 years

University of Minnesota Medical School

Link: University of Minnesota Medical School

Admission Stats: Minnesota residents only

Program Type: BA/MD

Program Seats: 10

Program Length: 7 years

University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine

Link: University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine

Admission Stats: 3.9 GPA; 1420 SAT; 32 ACT

Program Type: BA/MD

Program Seats: N/A

Program Length: 6 years

University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine

Link: University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine

Admission Stats: Program Temporarily Suspended

Program Type: BS/MD

Program Seats: 12

Program Length: 8 years

University of New Mexico School of Medicine

Link: University of New Mexico School of Medicine

Admission Stats: 3.5 GPA, SAT 540 (Math section) and 510 (Reading section); 22 ACT

Program Type: BA/MD

Program Seats: 28

Program Length: 8 years

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Link: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Admission Stats: Top of class; 1490 SAT; 34 ACT

Program Type: BS/MD or BA/MD

Program Seats: N/A

Program Length: 8 years

University of Rochester Early Medical Scholars Program

Link: University of Rochester Early Medical Scholars Program

Admission Stats: 3.95 GPA; IB and AP courses encouraged

Program Type: BS/MD or BA/MD

Program Seats: 10

Program Length: 8 years

University of South Carolina

Link: University of South Carolina

Admission Stats: N/A

Program Type: BS/MD or BA/MD

Program Seats: 10

Program Length: 7 years

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine

Link: University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine

Admission Stats: 3.8 GPA; 90th percentile SAT scores; *must be resident of South Texas*

Program Type: BS/MD or BA/MD

Program Seats: N/A

Program Length: 8 years

USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

Link: USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

Admission Stats: 4.0 weighted GPA; 1500 SAT; ACT of 34

Program Type: BS/MD

Program Seats: 15

Program Length: 7 years

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

Link: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

Admission Stats: 3.5 GPA; SAT scores optional

Program Type: BS/MD

Program Seats: 20-30

Program Length: 8 years

Wayne State University School of Medicine

Link: Wayne State University School of Medicine

Admission Stats: 3.5 GPA; 1310 SAT or 28 ACT; 5% acceptance rate

Program Type: BS/MD and BA/MD

Program Seats: 10

Program Length: 8 years

BS/DO Programs

A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine

  • Admission Stats: Min. 3.5 GPA; Min. SAT 1065; Min. ACT 23
  • Program Length: 7 years

Illinois Tech/Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine Midwestern University

  • Admission Stats: Min. 3.5 GPA; 32 ACT or 1400 SAT; Top 10% of class
  • Program Length: 8 years

Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine

  • Admission Stats: 3.25 Cumulative GPA; 3.5 Science GPA; 24 ACT
  • Program Length: 8 years

Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM)

  • Admission Stats: 3.5 GPA; SAT 1240; ACT 26
  • Program Length: 7-8 years

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine

  • Admission Stats: 3.9 GPA; 1270 SAT or ACT 28
  • Program Length: 7-8 years

Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine

  • Admission Stats: 3.5 GPA; 30 ACT; 1360 SAT
  • Program Length: 7-8 years

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine through Adelphi University

  • Admission Stats: 3.5 GPA; SAT Min. 670 on each section
  • Program Length: 8 years

Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine through Rutgers-Camden

  • Admission Stats: 3.5 GPA; SAT 1400; 31 ACT
  • Program Length: 7 years

Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (JAMP)

  • Admission Stats: Only open to Texas residents; 2.35 GPA; Test scores no longer required
  • Program Length: 7 years

University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

  • Admission Stats: Varies by undergraduate college
  • Program Length: 7 years

Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

  • Admission Stats: 3.25 GPA
  • Program Length: 7 years

How to Get Into BS/MD Programs

Getting into a BS/MD program is just as challenging as getting into medical school, and in some cases even more so. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you want to get accepted into a competitive program:

1. Show Academic Excellence

Maintain a high GPA throughout high school, particularly in challenging courses such as AP or IB classes, especially in science and math. You should also achieve high scores on standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT. Some programs also require the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Most programs only accept students who are in the top 5-10% of their class.

“GPA [is an] important screening tool. It won’t be the end all for you to get in or be rejected from a school, but … [it] shows schools that you can handle rigorous academics.” – Dr. Monica Taneja, MD.

 

2. Get Healthcare Experience

Gain experience in healthcare settings through volunteering, shadowing medical professionals, or by participating in medical internships for high school students. This demonstrates your commitment to and understanding of the medical field.

“Clinical experience is a bonus because most schools like to know if a candidate knows what they are signing up for. Medicine is a long and arduous journey, so commitment is key.” – Dr. Neel Mistry, MD.

 

3. Maintain Strong Extracurricular Activities

Participate in extracurricular activities, especially those related to science and healthcare, such as science clubs, research projects, or health-focused volunteer work. Show your leadership skills through your extracurriculars for medical school. Initiatives that you start or lead, particularly those related to healthcare or science, can be especially impactful.

“It is important to do what you enjoy rather than simply for the “title” or for the sake of doing it … Ideally, the more relevant they are, the better. For instance, volunteering at the hospital, long-term care center, or leading a medical student club at your school are all great options that allow you to be exposed to the healthcare setting.” – Dr. Neel Mistry, MD.

 

4. Secure Letters of Recommendation

Obtain strong letters of recommendation from teachers, especially in science subjects, and from professionals you've worked with in healthcare settings. These should speak to your academic abilities, character, and suitability for a career in medicine.

“[As a teacher] I would be more willing to provide a letter for a student I had a few 1-1 interactions with, so it is always good to try and go to office hours for classes you may want a letter from. I’d also ask professors if they can write the letter soon after your taking the class ideally at the end of the semester or within the next semester.” – Dr. Monica Taneja, MD, University of Maryland School of Medicine.

 

5. Ace Your Personal Statement and Essays

Write compelling personal statements and essays that highlight your passion for medicine, your understanding of the profession, and why you want to become a doctor.

“What I did was start with a story. Like any good novel, the stories first lines are meant to hook the reader. This can be about anything if you can bring it back and relate it to your application. It could be about the time your friend was smashed up against the boards in hockey and you, with your limited first aid experience helped to treat him. It is important that the story be REAL.” – Dr. Jaime Cazes, MD, University of Toronto Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

 

6. Prepare for Interviews

Prepare thoroughly for interviews, which are a critical part of the application process. Be ready to discuss your interest in medicine, your experiences, and what you bring to the program. It is also common for these programs to use multiple mini interviews (MMI), so it’s a good idea to review this unfamiliar interview format!

“My first interview for medical school was an MMI and I was not prepared! After that experience, I went back and focused on thinking about what kinds of questions I would get during an MMI. It’s very different from traditional where you are mostly talking about your application. In an MMI, there are not only ethical scenarios, but also instructional exercises, patient simulations, and creative discussions. Just having a better sense of the questions was really helpful in preparing.” – Dr. Monica Taneja, MD.


 "From my experience, showing emotional maturity is key. Applicants are high schoolers who do not have much 'real life experience' as compared to traditional medicine applicants." – Dr. Sona Nuguri, MD


MMI interview coaching can help you prepare! Here’s how:

BS/MD Admission Interviews

BS/MD programs often use medical school interviews in their admissions processes. And they often employ a unique medical school interview format: the MMI, or multiple mini interview. This type of interview may be completely unfamiliar to applicants, so MMI interview coaching can be a valuable prep tool.

Here’s what some of our BS/MD students say about their MMI interview prep through BeMo:

“[BeMo] helped me gain admission to an eight-year BS/MD program. The particular program that I applied to utilized a specific interview style known as the multiple mini interview or MMI. I had prepared for several traditional style interviews this past year for the various other universities I applied to but I was unfamiliar with this certain interview style and reached out to [BeMo] for further assistance. The interview tips offered by consultants were incredibly useful in helping me become more able to tackle the various different kinds of questions in that could be asked … Coming out of high school this past year [BeMo] not only helped me become a better interviewer but also helped me navigate the different stages of the medical school application process.” – Alex, BeMo student.

 

“I was a BS/MD applicant so I was applying to medical schools straight out of high school. I used BeMo’s program and I saw such an improvement in my MMI skills. I found that the mock interviews were especially helpful for three main reasons. First, the mock interviews gave me an idea of what to expect on the actual interview day. Second, the team helped me improve my answers by pinpointing specific areas I could work on the professionals helped me develop strategies to answer any and all types of questions. Third, the mock interviews themselves really helped me develop the confidence I needed for interview day.” – Sonia, BeMo student.

 

FAQs

1. What are BS/MD programs?

BS/MD programs are joint degree programs which grant you a Bachelor of Science and an MD. They combine the traditional premed undergrad curriculum and the medical school curriculum.

2. How competitive are BS/MD programs to get into?

BS/MD programs are extremely competitive. They have stringent admission requirements and only admit a handful of matriculants per year, and many receive hundreds or even thousands of applicants. 

3. What are the requirements for a BS/MD program?

To apply to a BS/MD program, you must maintain a high GPA in your high school years and earn high competitive scores on your SAT or ACT. Some programs also evaluate your science GPA or require you to be in the top of your class.

4. How long as BS/MD programs?

Most BS/MD programs are 7 to 8 years long, although a few rare programs are accelerated to 6 years.

5. Which schools have a BS/MD program?

Some of the best medical schools in the US have BS/MD programs, including the Ivy League medical schools and some of the top private and public universities in the US.

6. What GPA do I need for a BS/MD program?

BS/MD programs have high requirements for applicant GPAs, usually only accepting students who are in the top 5-10% of their high school classes. A GPA of 3.9 and above is recommended.

7. Do I need to take the MCAT to get in?

BS/MD programs often require the submission of SAT or ACT scores to be admitted. While some BS/MD programs do require you to take the MCAT, the score requirement will be lower than their average medical school matriculant.

8. How long is medical school?

Medical school curriculums are typically 4 years long. BS/MD programs can shorten your undergraduate curriculum but usually don’t shorten how many years medical school will be.

To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting 


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tags: bs/md programs, Medical School Application, accelerated medical school programs, early assurance medical school programs