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 sophom*ore 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?
