High school students whose career goal is to go into the medical field may want to apply to a BA/MD or BS/MD program. Most of these dual-degree, or combined programs, allow students to go from earning a BA or BS degree as an undergraduate directly to medical school to earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree.
Many of these programs provide students with a straight path to medical school bypassing having to take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), or having to go through the entire medical school application process. There are programs, however, that require students to take and score well on the MCAT.
Many of these programs are the same length as taking the traditional path from undergrad to medical school—four years in an undergraduate program, and then on to medical school for four years. However, there are some programs that are accelerated and students complete their undergraduate and medical school education in six or seven years.
Admission to BS/MD Programs is Competitive
Gaining admission to these programs is highly competitive, some accept less than 10 students. To be competitive, be sure to take enough math and science including three years of science (including chemistry, biology, and physics), and four years of math, (including calculus).
For students who are accepted, certain requirements must be achieved during the college undergraduate years, such as earning a specific GPA, in order to maintain the medical school offer.
Healthcare-Related Activities in High School
Applicants to dual-degree medical programs will be asked to list and provide descriptions of health-related activities they participated in during high school. These might involve:
Essay Question Examples for Dual-Degree Medical Program Applicants
It’s important for applicants to demonstrate their commitment to pursuing a medical degree, as well as highlight leadership skills, and show that they are compassionate and caring. Examples of essay prompts may include:
Interviewing for BA/MD and BS/MD Programs
If you are selected for an interview, it’s advisable to spend a considerable amount of time preparing. You will want to have knowledge about the undergraduate college and the medical school that the program is connected with, your interest in that specific program, and of course, your commitment to medicine. Typical interview questions to prepare for are:
Our counselors prep students for the BS/MD interview so that you will feel confident and able to handle the questions.
Expert BS/MD and BA/MD Counselors
If you think that a combined medical program is the right path for you, contact us for a free consultation. Our counselors are experts in the BS/MD and BA/MD application process and have the results to prove it. They advise and guide students through the entire application process.
Please contact us to schedule a complimentary call with one of our counselors to ask questions, and learn more about the application process.
Volunteering Can Help Applications for BS/MD Programs – SpanOne: Expert College Counselors says:
[…] You may also want to read our blog: BS/MD and BA/MD Programs: What you Need to Know. […]