Elizabeth Suneby November 20, 2021 10 How to Get Into

A Complete List of All BS/MD Programs (Updated 2021)

What’s Covered?

• • What are BS/MD Programs?
  • Is aBS/MD Program Right For You?
  • How Hard Is It To Get Into BS/MD Programs?
  • List of All BS/MD Programs
  • Top 10 BS/MD Programs
  • Do You Have a Balanced College List?

Are you interested in pursuing a career as a doctor? We have compiled a complete list of all BS/MD degree programs in the US. The list includes BS/MD programs offered at private universities, state universities, community colleges, liberal arts colleges and other four-year degree programs (such as pharmacy or dental programs) where students are able to participate in dual-degree programs. Check out this complete list to kickstart your journey towards becoming a physician!

What are BS/MD Programs?

BS/MD programs enable students to apply once to earn both a Bachelor of Science (BS) and a Doctor of Medicine (MD). Typically, programs span over eight years (4 undergrad + 4 med school), seven years (3 undergrad + 4 med school), or less frequently six years (2 undergrad + 4 med school).  

Most often the student gains both degrees at one university, but some programs pair degrees from two different schools. Be aware that the vast majority of the joint programs are small and have a very low acceptance rate, so they are not a guaranteed path for any high school student, no matter how strong a candidate. 

To learn more about BS/MD programs, watch one of our popular recorded live streams, led by a student in Boston University’s BS/MD program, or take a look at CollegeVine’s list of Best Colleges for Pre Med. 

Is a BS/MD Program Right for You?

Many students are interested in the US’s BS/MD programs, which allow students to complete undergraduate and medical degree studies simultaneously. However, there are some pros and cons of this kind of program that you should consider before applying.

Pros 

Guaranteed Admittance

Many applicants see themselves as competitive for admission into their school’s MD program. A BS/MD program is an easier path since you are guaranteed to be accepted into the medical school after your undergraduate degree.

Time Efficiency

Medical training can take up to 11 years, starting from four years of undergrad studies and then five years of medical school studies. If you are able to complete both degrees in six or seven years (and get a head start on your medical career), you will save time and money.

Experience in Medicine 

Medical school is extremely difficult, so the earlier you can get real world experience, the better. You work with patients, doctors and nurses while completing your undergraduate training and gain valuable skills and knowledge that cannot be taught within the classroom alone.

Early Career Position 

A BS/MD program offers the possibility to complete medical training one year sooner than students who pursue traditional undergraduate and MD programs. This can open doors for jobs that might otherwise be closed to you, such as working at a pharmaceutical company or becoming an attending physician at a hospital.

Cons

Less Freedom in Undergraduate Studies 

You might have a very specific field of study that you enjoy and feel that is the best path for your career. A BS/MD program will force you to take required pre-med courses, which may not be relevant to your intended profession.

Greater Time Commitment

Not only are there more years required to obtain an undergraduate degree before medical school, but you will also be taking more courses than the average student at the same time. Many BS/MD programs require an extra course or two each semester, which can make it difficult to find the balance between work and play.

High Cost

Both undergraduate studies and medical school are pricey times of education, so the six or seven years of BS/MD programs will cost you more. There are some scholarships and financial aid available to students, but awards are often smaller than for traditional four-year programs where there is still room for financial flexibility.

How Hard is it to Get Into BS/MD Programs?

Extremely. The BS/MD is the most sought after dual-degree program. Incoming classes are typically very small and acceptance rates very low, ranging from 1 to 10 percent. 

Remember, many students mature and hit their stride in college, not high school. If your high school grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities are not stellar, the chances of you being accepted to a BS/MD program are highly unlikely, and perhaps you will be a stronger candidate for medical school after four years of college and on-the-job experience. 

Also, most joint programs require interviews for students who make it to the semi-finalist stage of the process, so be sure you are ready to make your case for medical school as a 17-year-old high school student.

List of All BS/MD Programs

Study programs carefully. Note that some are targeted to specific demographics, such as students of color, 1st-generation students, or students from rural areas. Others pair undergraduate education in the US with medical school in the Caribbean. And still others do not guarantee admission to med school, but acceptance into the program greatly increases the likelihood of matriculation in the paired med school through exclusive opportunities for early application privileges.

Finally, be aware that all programs require undergrads to earn specific GPAs and some also require certain threshold grades on the MCAT to move on to the paired medical school. This is a long-term commitment! Some may also require specific GPAs and test scores from high school applicants.

Top 10 BS/MD Programs

If you’re looking for the very best BS/MD programs out there, here are our top 10 picks. This list was created based on:

• Prestige and rank of the undergraduate school
• Prestige and rank of the medical school 
• Program selectivity 
• Caliber of accepted students 
• Length of the program

To see more rankings, see our list of the top 24 BS/MD programs.

1. Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME)

Undergraduate School: Brown University

Medical School: The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

Length: 8 years

Brown University’s 8-year combined medical program, known as Brown Medical School in the Ivy League, is the only one of its kind in the United States. Brown is perhaps best recognized for its implementation of the Open Curriculum, which allows students to only enroll in courses that appeal to them as an undergraduate institution. PLME does not force its students to take the MCAT in order to provide them with academic freedom. The only academic criteria is that a minimum 3.0 GPA be maintained in biology courses.

The Alpert Medical School of Brown University, one of the United States’ most selective medical schools, offers the Scholarly Concentrations Program, which allows medical students to pursue a subject outside of the regular curriculum. Aging, bioinformatics, integrative medicine, and medical ethics are some of the disciplines studied. Alpert also offers multiple M.D. dual-degree programs, including M.D./Ph.D., M.D./M.P.H., M.D./M.P.P. and M.D./M.P.A. programs.

Learn more about Brown University and see your chances of acceptance.

2. Rice/Baylor Medical Scholars Program

Undergraduate School: Rice University

Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine

Length: 8 years

The Rice/Baylor Medical Scholars Program is an eight-year joint program between Rice University and the Baylor College of Medicine. The program is extremely selective, which is to be expected given that both Rice University and BCM are top institutions. Baylor College of Medicine provides four M.D. dual-degree programs for its students.

Learn more about Rice University and see your chances of acceptance.

3. Pre-Professional Scholars Program (PPSP) in Medicine

Undergraduate School: Case Western Reserve University

Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

Length: 8 years

CWRU is a private institution located in Cleveland, OH, and CWRU’s School of Medicine. Students must have a minimum 3.63 overall (and math and science) GPA throughout their undergraduate career to graduate. The MCAT is not necessary, and no summer coursework is required since PPSP is not accelerated. Students may choose from three different medical degree paths at the CWRU School of Medicine: the University Program (conventional four-year training), the College Program (which integrates research and clinical work), and the Medical Scientist Program (which combines an M.D. with a Ph.D.).

Learn more about Case Western University and see your chances of acceptance.

4. Guaranteed Admission Program (GAP)

Undergraduate School: University of Pittsburgh

Medical School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Length: 8 years

The Guaranteed Admissions Program (GAP) allows students to be promoted directly to the Pitt School of Medicine. Applicants must apply by November 1st of their senior year and must have a 1490 composite SAT score or 34 ACT score to be considered. Undergraduates in the GAP must maintain a 3.75 GPA in their undergraduate coursework and seek out medically related experiences throughout their undergraduate years to remain eligible.

Learn more about the University of Pittsburgh and see your chances of acceptance.

5. Seven-Year Liberal Arts/Medical Education Program

Undergraduate School: Boston University

Medical School: School of Medicine of Boston University 

Length: 7 years

Rather than a bachelor of science, the 7-year combined medical program at Boston University offers a bachelor of arts.The program’s accelerated pace necessitates that students attend a 12-week summer session at the end of their sophomore year. Students are required to maintain a 3.20 GPA (both overall and in the sciences) throughout their undergraduate years. In addition, the MCAT is required; students are expected to score at or above the 80th percentile.

Learn more about Boston University and see your chances of acceptance.

6. Baylor Baylor Medical Program

Undergraduate School: Baylor University

Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine

Length: 8 years

This program is only open to six high school students a year, and all of them are eligible for scholarships ranging from $12,000 to $40,000. Prospective students must have a 3.8 high school GPA or be in the top 5% of their class. Baylor states that most applicants with above a 1430 on the SAT or 32 on the ACT are accepted, though there are no required scores.

In order to confirm provisional acceptance, Baylor2 undergrads must maintain a 3.5 GPA and achieve a 501-507 MCAT score. Baylor2 students must also finish all pre-med requirements while attending college

Learn more about Baylor University and see your chances of acceptance.

7. Rochester Early Medical Scholars (REM)

Undergraduate School: University of Rochester

Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine

Length: 8 years

The most competitive combined-admission program at Rochester University, Rochester Early Medical Scholars (REMS), enables students to get a bachelor’s degree in addition to an MD in just eight years. Students who enroll in the REMS program do not have to spend their summer studying and instead concentrate on research, clinic experience, seminars, and social gatherings. Last but not least, because there are no required courses, students may study a wide range of subjects and even double- or triple-major in the REMS program.

Learn more about the University of Rochester and see your chances of acceptance.

8. Connections Dual Admissions (BS/MD) Program 

Undergraduate School: University of Cincinnati

Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Length: 8 years

Students who wish to apply to both the University of Cincinnati’s undergraduate college and the College of Medicine at the same time can do so through the Connections Dual Admissions Program. It is a non-accelerated program dedicated to enrolling underrepresented applicants. Students must score at least 1300 on the SAT or 29 on the ACT in a single sitting to be eligible for admission. Undergraduate students must have a 3.5 GPA and the MCAT before being accepted into the Connections Program.

Learn more about the University of Cincinnati and see your chances of acceptance.

9. Penn State-Jefferson Premedical-Medical (PMM) Program

Undergraduate School: Penn State University

Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University 

Length: 7 years

The PMM program is a 7-year joint program between Penn State University and Thomas Jefferson University’s Kimmel Medical College. The MCAT is a requirement for all PMM students — those who must achieve at least a 504 composite on the MCAT (no lower than 126 on each component) and have a 3.5 GPA — to maintain high academic rigor. Other colleges don’t offer a Pre-medicine major; instead, they have separate pre-medical programs. Instead, Penn State has one called Pre-medicine that is meant to provide prospective medical school students with a wide, interdisciplinary background.

Learn more about Penn State University and see your chances of acceptance.

10. Dual BA/MD Program with GW Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (George Washington University) 

Undergraduate School: George Washington University 

Medical School: The School of Medicine and Health Sciences  at George Washington University 

Length: 7 Years

Students who have achieved academic excellence, competitive SAT/ACT scores (90th percentile), leadership in activities, community service, and health care experiences may apply for the accelerated dual degree program. The program has specific requirements for admission, which include a 3.60 or better overall grade point average and no Cs in any science courses. You must also submit an MCAT practice exam score from an online MCAT review, but you are not required to take the official MCAT.

Learn more about GWU and see your chances of acceptance.

Do You Have a Balanced College List?

It’s important to have a balanced college list to maximize your chances of getting into a good fit school. We recommend that a student should apply to 8-12 schools, with 25% being safety schools, 40% target schools, and 35% reach schools. Since all BS/MD programs are highly-selective and therefore reach schools for everyone, you should include some less-competitive schools on your list.

CollegeVine’s free chancing calculator is a useful tool for gauging your chances of acceptance to over 1500+ schools. Using factors like GPA, test scores, and extracurricular activities, our chancing engine can not only help you assess your odds of acceptance, but also highlight areas for improvement. 

While we can’t yet estimate your chances of getting into BS/MD programs, we can help you understand your chances of getting in as a regular undergrad, which can help you build a balanced school list.