If you are interested in applying to a BS/MD program be very aware of the application due dates and requirements. Dates for application to these programs are often earlier that might otherwise be expected. In most cases you need to first apply to the undergraduate college and then, if accepted, they pass your application on to the medical school for their consideration. However, this is not true for all programs.
Here are two examples of how differently each college handles the application for their BS/MD programs.
The HPME program at Northwestern University requires a student to complete and return the HPME application request card by December 1. This card requests basic information about the student as well as grades and test scores. If the committee determines you are eligible to apply for HPME they will then send you an application. The application for HPME as well as the application for the general undergraduate program must both be submitted by January 1.
The medical scholars program of Caltech and UC San Diego requires that students must apply to Caltech by the early action deadline of November 2 and indicate on the application that they are interested in the medical scholars program. The students can not apply early action to any other single choice early action program. The student will be notified by mid December if they are accepted to Caltech. If they are accepted to Caltech their admission letter will include information about an additional essay and recommendation regarding their potential for a career in medicine. This additional information is due by January 12.
Because the requirements for each of the BS/MD programs is different, the student applying to such programs must be very careful to know the required dates for submissions of materials. Following directions is generally important in applying to college but for those students applying to BS/MD programs, it is critical.
Want more information about BS/MD programs? Check out the Guide to BS/MD Programs.
when should you send in your application for the bs/md program?
Stazia,
Applications should be sent in by the due date and preferably several weeks before the due date. The reason to try and get it in early is that problems sometimes occur at the last minute so waiting to submit your application can be a problem.
Dues dates vary by program although most BS/MD programs have due dates between November 1 and November 30. You should always check to find out the specific due date for the programs you are applying to as this can change from year to year.
I have a list of programs I am targeting and have links to the college websites and stuff. Do you offer any other help to making sure that your application is noticed? Have you placed anyone so far with your counselling and if so what is your success rate and what are your fees?
Su,
I have worked with hundreds of students on the BS/MD application process and the goal of each application is to highlight the strengths of that particular student. My students have been very successful in getting into BS/MD programs. My current fees are $4,000 for unlimited time with me for help on all aspects of the BS/MD and colleges admissions process. These fees are subject to change, however,.
My daughter is a Junior but has not done Physician shadowing nor science research. does that make it very difficult to gain admission into the program?
uchenna,
Getting into a BS/MD program with no physician shadowing would be very difficult. However, if she is junior she still has plenty of time to get this done. I typical recommend students have about 40 hours of doctor shadowing and it doesn’t need to be 40 continuous hours. As long as she gets it done before next fall when she is applying to a program, she should be fine.
Not having research is not quite as much of a problem although most successful BS/MD students do have some research background. She could do research this coming summer and that would be an appropriate time to do so.
Hi My son will be a junior at HS and looking into a 7 year Medical program, what would you suggest he does? What are the university looking for in 7 year MD program? Your help is appreciated.
Thanks
Nita,
BS/MD programs are first looking at strong grades and test scores. Typically greater than a 3.8 unweighted GPA and higher than a 2,100 SAT or 30 ACT. But in addition to grades and test scores they will also need significant health care volunteering, doctor shadowing and ideally some research experience. If you look at the section about BS/MD programs on my site you will a number of articles discussing the programs. You might also want to look at my book, BS/MD Programs-The Complete Guide, available through Amazon for further information about the programs.
Thank you so much.
My son is in 11th grade in NJ and planning to apply for 7 year BS/MD program. I would like to learn how to prepare for higher acceptance rate in to BS/MD program! He is in top 1 percentile of his high school, 4.5 GPA and expecting 2250+ SAT score. When should I plan for his Shadow program and how do I find out hospitals and MD offering shadow program this summer! Does he need to also take ACT and subject test! Thanks for your help.
Sam,
Grades and test scores are used as the initial factor in deciding who is considered for BS/MD programs. So he needs to keep his grades up and get good test scores. But decisions on who to admit are based on all of the other factors including health care related volunteering, research experience, doctor shadowing, leadership and maturity. Doctor shadowing should be finished by the end of the summer before senior year. To find physicians willing to let students shadow is mainly just contacting doctors and asking them if they permit this. A student needs the SAT or ACT but not both. I typically recommend students take a practice test of each to see which they do better on and then focus their efforts on that test. There are a few programs in NJ that still want the SAT so I would lean toward that just because you live there. Most programs do not require SAT subject tests but to be considered for those that do, I typically recommend that students take two subject tests including math II and a science. Usually chemistry is preferred but bio is an option at most colleges.
Josh,
Thank you for the note. As a US citizen you will be eligible for most BS/MD programs. There are some that require that a student graduate from a US high school but they are more the exception. Of course these programs are extremely competitive but being an international student shouldn’t be a major problem.
Hi Todd,
My son is currently Pre-med student in Metro Detroit area. He wants to go medical school in 2017. What you can do or help him to get into medical school since his GPA in first two years 3.7 and he has plan to appear in MCAT next year.
Thank you,
Abi
Hi
my daughter has completed her high school 2 years ago with remarkable grades and wants to go to this program. Could you please let me know if this 2 years gap affect her admission or not.
Thanks
Ramin
Ramin,
BS/MD programs are for current high school students and most programs will not consider a student that has already graduated.
My son is interested in transferring from WashU where he is a freshman undergrad to a 7 or 8 year BS/MD program. Is this feasible?
Amy,
In general terms BS/MD programs do not accept transfer students. A few, including UMKC, may consider transfer students if they don’t have very many undergrad credits. Usually less than 24.
Hi Todd,
My daughter is going to get in to 11th grade and she applied for clinical rotations,.
This class is offered at high school, that allows students to be CNA certified and
rotate through different areas of hospitals. Will this program help her in getting in to BS/MD program?
Thank you very much for your valuable feedback.
Raj,
Working as a CNA can be beneficial for BS/MD programs because it reinforces the students interest in health care. However, if this is through the school she should make sure that she does more work/volunteering than others in the program because she doesn’t want it to appear that she is just meeting the basic requirements.
I just stumbled on your website and I am wondering if you look after International application (australia) as well and the other is are there golf scholarships available on the BS/MD programme?
Helen,
We do work with international students applying to BS/MD programs but I always make it very clear how difficult admissions to these programs is particularly for international students. There are a limited number of the BS/MD programs that will consider international students and generally they are among the most competitive of the programs so the chances are not great.
Some programs will have scholarships available but not typically for things other than academics.
Hi Todd,
I want to know for my son, is there any medical school or schools in US , where Canadian can get admission for 7 ,8 or 4 years program.
I will appreciate for your reply.
Thank you,
Amrinder Thind
Amrinder,
Here is a link to a post I did several years ago about the BS/MD programs that will consider international students: http://cap1.wpengine.com/bsmd-programs/bsmd-programs-admit-international-students/
I hope that helps.
Hi Todd
Is 7 or 8 years BS/DO program is equivalent to BS/MD program..
Given an option, is it preferable to pursue BS/DO program..
Thanks in advance Todd, for your valuable comments.
Hi Todd,
Thank you very much.
Amrinder