BS/MD Programs: Options and How to Get In

We break down what BS/MD programs entail, the pros and cons of attending, and how to apply and get into a BS/MD or BS/DO program.

Are you certain you want to become a doctor, and are you looking for the most streamlined way to approach the doctor journey? BS/MD and BS/DO programs help young students who are certain they want to earn either an MD or DO get into medical school without the lengthy and time-consuming application process.

If you’re considering this path, our guide covers what BS/MD programs entail, the pros and cons of attending, and how to apply and get into a BS/MD or BS/DO program.

What Are BS/MD Programs?

BS/MD programs are early admission pathways, also known as direct medical programs, that combine bachelor and medicine degree programs together to streamline the journey from high school to medical school. Students have the ability to earn either a BS (Bachelor of Science) or BA (Bachelor of Arts) combined with an MD (Doctor of Medicine) or DO (Doctor of Osteopathy) through a single acceptance.

After you earn a BS or BA, you can immediately start working on your MD or DO—often at the same school—without having to go through the stressful, expensive, and time-consuming process of applying to a separate medical school.

BS/MD programs, as well as BA/MD and BS(BA)/DO programs, are designed for high-achieving and well-performing high school students who are already certain they want to dedicate their lives to medicine and become physicians.

Another distinction you might hear is Early Assurance Program, or EAP, which is a type of BS-BA/MD program that you can apply to while in college. In this scenario, you’ve already started at that college when you apply. If you aren’t accepted, you can continue with the undergrad program and apply to med school via the traditional pathway.

How Long Are BS/MD Programs?

The length of the programs will vary, with most lasting 8 years (4 years of undergrad and 4 years of medical school).

However, some of these programs require students to take summer courses in order to cram a complete undergraduate education into 3 or fewer years. In these cases, the program would only last 6-7 years, though 6-year programs are becoming very rare.

For example, the accelerated 6-year BA/MD program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) has students starting medical school coursework in the second year.

Program Requirements and Eligibility

While the exact details of each individual program will differ, only high school students are eligible to apply to BS(BA)/MD(DO) programs. Earning acceptance is extraordinarily competitive, with acceptance rates ranging from 1% to 10%. Plus, these programs are only offered at a select few universities in the US.

It must also be noted that earning acceptance to a BS/MD program does not mean you can put your feet up and sail into medical school. Many of these programs offer “conditional acceptances” to the medical school. These conditional acceptances are dependent on a range of varying requirements, such as your chosen major, GPA, MCAT score, and other professional standards.

If you do not fulfill these requirements, you may be allowed to earn your Bachelor’s, but you cannot move on to the MD portion of your education (at least with that institution).

For example, Drexel’s BA/BS+MD Early Assurance Program is only open to Biological Sciences, Chemistry (BA), and Biomedical Engineering majors on the four-year, one-co-op track. To qualify, students must have a minimum 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 weighted scale and a combined SAT score of at least 1420 or a minimum ACT composite score of 32.

According to Drexel, first-year students admitted to the BA/BS+MD Early Assurance Program had an average GPA of 4.27 and an average combined SAT of 1525 or ACT 34 composite. Drexel also requires students to maintain at least a 3.6 GPA in all coursework without repeating a course and with no grade less than a C.

However, not all BS/MD programs have such strict requirements. In fact, many of these programs either do not require you to take the MCAT in order to move on to medical school or have a score cutoff that’s lower than the general matriculant. Not all require you to pick a specific major, either.

For example, Brown University offers the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME), which is a combined baccalaureate/MD program. (It’s the only BS/MD offered at an Ivy League school.) PLME is an 8-year program with the opportunity to defer entry to medical school for one year to pursue other passions, such as research, public service, education, or business.

BS/MD Programs: Options By State

The following BS/MD programs were listed by AAMC in 2022. Note that programs are added and removed each year.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

FLORIDA

GEORGIA

Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University

ILLINOIS

MASSACHUSETTS

Boston University School of Medicine

MICHIGAN

Wayne State University School of Medicine

MINNESOTA

University of Minnesota Medical School

MISSOURI

NEVADA

University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine

NEW JERSEY

NEW MEXICO

University of New Mexico School of Medicine

NEW YORK

OHIO

PENNSYLVANIA

PUERTO RICO

Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine

RHODE ISLAND

Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

SOUTH CAROLINA

University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Columbia

TENNESSEE

Meharry Medical College School of Medicine

TEXAS

VIRGINIA

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

WEST VIRGINIA

Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine

How to Decide If BS/MD Programs Are Right for You

Whether or not these programs are right for you depends on your unique circumstances and experiences so far with medicine. Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks of attending a BS/MD program.

The Benefits of BS/MD Programs

BS/MD programs streamline and accelerate the process of becoming a physician.
You skip the time-consuming med school application process.
You save money on the many costs that come with applying to medical school.
You may not have to take the MCAT, and if you do, your score cutoff will be lower than the med school’s general matriculant.
Skipping the MCAT also allows you to focus on and develop your extracurricular interests, as taking the MCAT requires 3 to 6 months of dedicated study.
You will face less stress during undergrad, as you won’t have to take several additional classes to fulfill a specific major’s requirements. Plus, you don’t have to apply to medical school with a near-perfect GPA, just so long as you meet your program’s cutoff, which is often around 3.5.
If you already know early on which specialty of medicine you want to pursue, you can start making yourself competitive for that specialty as early as undergrad. Instead of worrying about med school admission, you can start to think about residency admission.

The Drawbacks of BS/MD Programs

BS/MD programs require students to commit to a lifelong career before having the adequate exposure and maturity it takes to realistically make such a big decision.
Many BS/MD programs are at lower-tier institutions trying to lock in apprehensive applicants who might not consider them during the regular application cycle. The winner in the BS/MD contract is the school more so than the student.
You’ll miss out on the more typical college experience, which can be the catalyst to some of the most transformative and best years of your life.
Without the pressure of studying for the MCAT, your study strategies won’t be as strong as they would have been going down the traditional path.

Learn more about The Pros and Cons of BS/MD Programs.

How to Get Into BS/MD Programs

BS/MD programs are highly competitive and cater to the crème de la crème of students—applicants with impeccable academic qualifications and test scores who are enrolled in the toughest high school courses available. Applicants should also be exceptionally mature, driven, and professional, which is a tall order for most teenagers.

Several factors influence admission, including an exceptionally high GPA and standardized test scores, articulate and persuasive personal essays, a compelling resume/CV that includes volunteering and community service, extracurriculars, clinical exposure, and research experience, glowing letters of recommendation, and an engaging interview performance.

It takes a great deal of forward thinking from as early as freshman or sophomore year of high school to craft a strong and competitive application to these programs. While not impossible to make it into a BS/MD program with last-minute decisions, it is far wiser to plan ahead.

Mentorship from someone familiar with the medical field and, ideally, who has been through med school applications (or even better, BS/MD program applications) is a massive resource that can help applicants be successful in the admissions process.

1 | Grades

An immaculate academic record is essential to earning acceptance at any BS/MD program. Most programs have GPA and other cutoffs, which means if your grades aren’t high enough, admissions committees won’t even bother looking at the rest of your application. While many programs state that their GPA cutoff is 3.5, when in reality, the majority of accepted applicants have GPAs closer to 4.0 (unweighted).

Students are also expected to be taking (and excelling in) the most challenging classes available to them while maintaining a near-perfect GPA. If your high school ranks the academic performance of its students, aim to be in the top 10% or higher.

A strong SAT/ACT score is also critical to getting past the screening cutoffs at many programs, which means you should aim for 1500 or higher on the SAT and 34 or higher on the ACT.

Now that SAT subject tests are a thing of the past, AP classes and exams are all the more important as well. That said, not every school offers AP classes and opportunities. It’s important for students to take advantage of every opportunity available to them. Most admissions committees are quite understanding and will take the context of the school the applicant is coming from into perspective.

2 | Essays

Many BS/MD programs require applicants to write a few short essays outlining who they are and why they want to pursue medicine. These supplemental essay questions will vary from program to program, but most schools use similar prompts.

There are generally three different types of core essay questions you will be asked to elaborate on.

First, you may be asked to describe yourself. This is much like the common “Tell me about yourself…” interview prompt.

The open-endedness of this question can be intimidating, but it should be viewed as an opportunity to craft your own narrative across your application. What do you want admissions committees to know about you? What might you want them to ask follow up questions about during your future interviews? Focus on specifics, and don’t worry about including your whole life story. Stick to a few key aspects of your life and traits you exemplify.

The next question students are commonly asked is “Why medicine?” or “Why do you want to become a doctor?” This question is very similar to the personal statement required when applying to medical school.

Admissions committees want to hear that you understand what it takes to become a doctor and are able to express why you want to pursue this career path. Your essay answer must address your reasons for being drawn to medicine with stories and anecdotes from your life. Was there a clear moment that crystallized your interest in becoming a doctor? Is there someone in your life who inspired you to take this path? Is there an experience or struggle you faced that drew you to medicine?

Lastly, you may be asked, “Why are you interested in this school?” or “Why should we choose you?” Both of these questions speak to school fit.

Your answer should be specific and go well beyond quoting the school’s mission statement. What is it about that specific school that draws you to it, and what do you have to offer the program in return? Illustrate how your values, interests, and future goals align with those of the school. As your answers will differ from school to school, it’s important to tailor your answers to each program you are applying to.

3 | Letters of Recommendation

Different programs will have differing requirements in both the number of letters and the type of letter writer. The question of who should be your letter writers is not one-size-fits-all.

Generally, 1-2 letters should come from a STEM teacher, such as calculus, chemistry, biology, physics, etc. Ideally, aim for one math teacher and one science teacher.
One letter can come from a research mentor or principal investigator, if possible.
One letter can come from a community service/advocacy project mentor.
One letter can come from a humanities teacher, if necessary.

Keep in mind this will be different for every applicant. Be careful not to simply check off boxes when it comes to your letters. What’s more important is getting strong letters, even if you aren’t able to hit all the typical letter types.

A strong letter from someone less prestigious who knows you well is far better than one from someone who doesn’t have anything noteworthy to say about you. Even a bland or boring letter is considered a bad letter because it shows you weren’t able to cultivate strong relationships. All of your letter writers should know you well and be able to speak to your unique strengths and skills.

Insider Tip: “The program I went to required 5 letters of reference. One was from my biology teacher, one from my chemistry teacher, who also oversaw my involvement in a research competition, one from the director of a lab, one from a calculus teacher, and one from the director of a local community organization.”

4 | Research

Research experience is another critical piece to prioritize. The specific kind of research is less important than finding something you enjoy and feel passionate about.

While not every school is going to offer research opportunities, the most competitive students make their own opportunities. Contact local universities and medical schools and ask about summer research opportunities. Seek out online research opportunities whenever possible and strive to make connections with mentors and network early on.

Insider Tip: “My high school didn’t have research opportunities, but living in NYC, I got involved in some DNA Science Camps that led to a competition as part of a genetics institution. Many local universities will have similar opportunities and many professors would love to have high school students shadow and learn how to do research in their labs.”

The key here is to ask questions and be proactive in your approach to research, as well as any other experience you hope to gain before applying to a BS/MD program.

Learn more about Med School Insiders’ Ultimate Premed & Medical Student Research Course. After doing the heavy lifting, we’ve distilled the process of becoming a research superstar into a stepwise and repeatable process,

5 | Clinical Exposure

You must demonstrate significant maturity in your understanding of what a career in medicine entails in your application and during interviews. BS/MD programs are a major commitment, and admissions committees want to ensure they’re accepting applicants who have thoroughly explored the field of medicine by shadowing physicians in a range of different settings and disciplines.

For example, a student whose clinical experience involved shadowing a plastic surgeon in the operating room a couple of times a week will have no idea what the rest of medicine is really like. Aim for a diversity of clinical exposures, such as hospital, clinic, nursing home, etc., to show that you have a clear understanding of what a career in medicine will entail.

If you plan on applying to osteopathic (DO) programs, make sure to shadow an osteopath.

Insider Tip: “When I was applying to BS/MD programs, my clinical experience involved volunteering at a hospital, helping out at a clinic, and doing administrative work in my dentist’s office. It doesn’t have to be too extravagant, but the more direct patient interaction, the better!”

6 | Volunteering

Since being a physician is an inherently altruistic vocation, it’s important to demonstrate a commitment to helping your community and the people in it. Volunteering your time and energy to a worthy cause shows admissions committees you’re serious about improving the lives of others.

There are a plethora of volunteering opportunities out there, such as volunteering at a hospital, nursing home, hospice, COVID testing center, or free clinic. However, your experiences do not necessarily have to be healthcare related. For example, you could volunteer at a soup kitchen or tutor kids after school.

It’s easy to make a positive impression on your supervisors since many people don’t take volunteering seriously. When high school students aren’t paid, they tend to show up late, slack off, or prioritize other commitments. They’re there to check a box, not because they’re passionate about the opportunity.

All you need to do to stand out is be enthusiastic and show up ready to improve someone’s day. The more you impress your supervisors, the more likely they are to write you a strong letter of recommendation.

Leadership experience is also important to demonstrate. It’s one thing to have volunteered with a community organization doing some sort of advocacy, but actually initiating a project or leading an action plan to tackle a problem in the community will really make you stand out to admissions committees. It doesn’t have to be curing world hunger; focus on something small but substantive at a community level.

Insider Tip: “In high school, I founded and led a project to create bike lanes along a freeway in Rockaway Beach, NY in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy’s destruction of our boardwalk. This then became the topic of one of my essays and demonstrated my commitment to advocacy.”

7 | Extracurriculars

Beyond the core extracurricular experience of research, clinical exposure, and volunteering, what other work and life experience do you have to offer?

Every applicant should have a little extra “X factor” that makes them stand out. Perhaps it’s a hobby you’ve spent years working on, a talent you’re actively cultivating, or a skill you’re developing.

Your experiences don’t all have to be related to medicine. In fact, programs look for well-rounded students who have interests and hobbies outside of medicine to help bring diversity to their campus. Other extracurricular hobbies might include musical instruments, sports teams, art, film, fitness, entrepreneurship, etc.

Aim to show variety across your extracurricular experience, but not so much that your experiences are diluted. Admissions committees want to see longitudinal commitment to know you have what it takes to commit to your medical education for the next 12-15 years of your life.

Quality experiences are more important than quantity. Being involved in 20 clubs as a member or secretary is not as impressive as being the founder of a club or volunteering at the same organization for a full year.

Insider Tip: “My predominant extracurricular in high school was advocacy work with a local community organization. I was able to cultivate this work extensively and draw up several projects/initiatives from it. By focusing on the quality of my involvement with this organization, I got a lot more out of it than I would have if I was trying to stay caught up with 8 different clubs at school.”

8 | Interviews

The last phase of the BS/MD application process is interviews. Most BS/MD programs require applicants to interview once they reach the semi-finalist stage.

While this is the final stretch, the pressure is far from over. No matter how extraordinary you look on paper, a poor interview can tank your chances of acceptance.

Start practicing for your interviews well in advance of being offered one. The sooner you begin your prep, the sooner you’ll have an understanding of how much practice you need to build your confidence, adaptability, and communication skills.

The skills you require for BS/MD interviews are much the same as the ones needed for med school interviews and your future residency interviews. Learn more from our Comprehensive Medical School Interview Guide.

Practice answering common interview questions, but don’t memorize your answers word for word. Instead, practice surprising yourself with different versions of common questions so that you aren’t tripped up by the wording of questions on interview day.

Common questions and prompts can include:

Tell us about yourself…
Why do you want to attend this program?
Why should we choose you?
What is your biggest weakness?
Are you mature?
Are you committed to a career in medicine?
Do you understand what it means to be a physician?
Do you have what it takes to succeed?
What medical specialty do you want to pursue?
Where do you see yourself in 15 years?
What was the last book you read?
Do you have any questions for us?

During your interview prep, practice in front of a mirror so that you can see what other people will see. Try recording yourself and viewing it back to assess yourself for poor body language, speaking too fast or too slow, or not being clear and succinct with your answers.

Should You Apply to BS/MD Programs?

BS/MD programs are a fast track path for high-performing students who know for certain that they want to go to medical school and become a doctor. While they come with both benefits and drawbacks, choosing to apply to a BS/MD program is a highly personal decision. There’s no right or wrong answer here, which is why it’s vital to research your options extensively before making a final decision.

At Med School Insiders, we offer one-on-one advising that pairs you with a doctor advisor who best fits your needs. It’s our goal to help you create a future that aligns with your vision.

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