BS/MD Programs: A Guide for High School Premeds

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, Touro University Nevada.

"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, University of Oklahoma Medical School

"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, University of Maryland School of Medicine.

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.

BS/DO Programs

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

To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting 

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