BS/MD Programs: Frequently Asked Questions

A BS/MD program admits a high school senior to an undergraduate college and a partner medical school at the same time. The student earns a bachelor's degree, then moves to the medical school without a second full admissions cycle, as long as the program's conditions are met.

The AAMC lists 44 medical schools with combined baccalaureate-MD programs in 23 states and the District of Columbia. Our directory adds 12 direct-entry routes that schools advertise but that are not on the AAMC list, for 56 in total.

Six, seven or eight years. Eight-year programs keep the standard four years of college and four of medical school. Seven-year programs shorten college to three years. Six-year programs run year-round.

Only the undergraduate degree. A BA/MD awards a Bachelor of Arts and a BS/MD awards a Bachelor of Science. The medical degree and the admissions process are the same.

BS/MD programs admit from high school. Early assurance programs admit students who are already in college, usually as sophomores. Early assurance programs are not covered in our directory.

Very hard. Most programs enroll between 5 and 30 students a year, and admission rates are commonly reported in the low single digits. Apply to regular colleges as well.

Aim for 1500 or higher. Some programs publish minimums near 1400, but admitted students usually score well above the minimum. See the SAT guide.

An unweighted GPA of 3.9 or higher in the hardest courses your school offers is typical of admitted students.

Most applicants apply to 8 to 12, after removing programs limited to residents of other states.

To many programs, yes. Several public programs admit only state residents, and others give residents preference. The directory notes the limits we know of.

It is conditional. You keep the seat by meeting the program's terms, which usually include a minimum college GPA, required courses, and often a minimum MCAT score. Read the terms before you accept.

10 programs in our directory do not require it, including George Washington, UMKC, Rochester REMS and Brown PLME. Policies change, so confirm with the program.

It depends on the program. Some allow it freely. Others withdraw the reserved seat if you apply elsewhere. Ask each program for its policy in writing.

You normally continue at the undergraduate college as a regular student and may apply to medical school the traditional way.

You pay the college's tuition for the undergraduate years and the medical school's tuition after that. Seven-year and six-year programs save one or two years of college cost. Merit scholarships usually apply to the undergraduate years only.

BS/DO programs pair a college with a school of osteopathic medicine and award the DO degree. DO physicians are fully licensed in every state. These programs are often somewhat less selective than BS/MD programs.

Most physicians took the traditional route: four years of college, then a medical school application. The record you built for BS/MD applications is a strong start for that route.