BY LINDSEY CONGER*
Students navigating the path to medicine, especially those who decide early on that this is the right career path, might be considering a BS/MD program. These programs allow accepted high school students to secure a guaranteed spot in the partnered medical school if they meet the program requirements. This streamlined path has pros and cons and is a weighty decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. By looking at the advantages and potential drawbacks of the programs, you can decide if a BS/MD program is right for you.
*Note, not all BS/MD, BA/MD, BS/DO and BA/DO programs are created equal. Requirements will vary from program to program and are subject to change at any time. Verify any information directly with the direct medical program.
Pros Of BS/MD Programs
Conditional Acceptance Into Medical School
Perhaps the most attractive benefit to BS/MD hopefuls is the conditional acceptance into medical school waiting for them once they finish their undergraduate requirements. Of course, the acceptance comes with a few strings attached: they will also have minimum requirements to meet before enrolling in medical school. However, knowing that they are assured a spot in medical school means that a huge weight is lifted off of their shoulders, and they can potentially enjoy their undergraduate careers more.
Reduced Requirements
Because BS/MD programs still want to ensure that they produce competent students who will succeed in medical school and beyond, they will always still have requirements for the program participants. Most BS/MD programs require students to maintain a 3.5 GPA and earn a minimum score on the MCAT. Many programs also require their students to participate in a minimum number of research, shadowing, or volunteering hours throughout their undergraduate career.
Potentially even more attractive are the BS/MD programs that have no MCAT requirement. These programs tend to be extremely competitive because it reduces the burden of having to perform on this stressful exam.
Accelerated
While this isn’t always the case, many direct medical programs allow students to complete their medical education at an accelerated pace. University of Misosuri-Kansas City, Howard University and Elmira College both have direct medical programs that will enable students to complete all the requirements in six years instead of the standard eight years. Other programs, like Nova Southeastern University’s BS/DO program or George Washington’s BS/MD program, have a seven-year pathway.
Cons Of BS/MD Programs
Less Well-Known Or Recognized Schools
The only Ivy League medical school that has a direct medical program associated with it is Brown University. Other undergraduate programs associated with BS/MD and BS/DO pathways are often smaller and less well-known compared to more widely recognized institutions. For example, schools like Caldwell University, the University of South Alabama, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City may not typically be top choices for some students if not for their specialized BS/MD programs. While this might not be a dealbreaker for a student, it is worth considering.
Limited Major Options
While some direct medical programs offer flexibility in major selection, this isn’t always the case. Drexel requires students to select between biological sciences, chemistry (BA) or biomedical engineering as their major selections. Other programs are even more restrictive, with the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Siena College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute all requiring their accepted BS/MD students to major in biology.
Extremely Competitive!
Perhaps the biggest drawback to these programs is how competitive they are to get into them. In the 2022-23 application cycle, Brown University’s Program in Liberal Medical Education had more than 4,192 applicants, with 74 students ultimately being admitted. Similarly, Drexel University’s BA/BS+MD Early Assurance Program had 2722 applicants and accepted 58. At Moon Prep, many of our BS/MD hopefuls submit applications to 10-15+ programs to give themselves the best chance of getting accepted into the program.
Is BS/MD The Right Path For You?
Ultimately, BS/MD programs can be a fantastic deal for students interested in becoming physicians. All direct medical programs allow students to drop out at any point, which means they can always change their minds if they decide a university or career path is no longer the best fit for them. However, as students build their college lists and resumes, they should participate in shadowing, volunteering in healthcare settings, and gaining research experiences to determine if BS/MD programs are the right path.
*Lindsey Conger is a college counselor for MoonPrep.
