Top 22 Combined BS/MD Programs in 2024

What’s Covered:

• Is a BS/MD Program Right for You?
• Our BS/MD Ranking Methodology
• Top 22 Combined BS/MD Programs
• Do You Have a Balanced College List?

 

By far the most sought-after of dual-degree programs, combined medical programs receive many applications every cycle and yield extremely low acceptance rates — lower than those of most Ivies! To help you decide which of the dozens of different programs you should apply to, we at CollegeVine have compiled a list of the very best combined medical program rankings.

 

Want to learn more about B.S./M.D. programs? Check out one of our popular recorded live streams on this topic.

 

Is a BS/MD Program Right for You?

 

Many people are attracted to the security provided by BS/MD programs, for good reason. These programs can completely avoid the uncertainty of med school admissions and ease tons of stress. With 4+4 programs (4 years of undergrad plus 4 years of med school), that security also comes with the freedom to commit to activities students enjoy rather than just extracurriculars that look good on med school applications. 

 

However, many accelerated (3+4, 2+4) programs are the opposite, with intense summer sessions and only a few permitted majors, limiting some freedom but saving large amounts of time and money. 

 

Most BS/MD programs may also revoke your provisional admission if you apply to other med schools at the end of undergrad, so pay attention to the requirements of these programs before you commit to one.

 

Finally, it’s important to consider the commitment you are making as a high school senior. If you pursue the normal route to medical school, you will have more time during undergrad to decide if you actually want to go to medical school. With BS/MD programs, you need to be sure this is the path you want to pursue before committing 6-8 years of your life.

 

Our BS/MD Ranking Methodology 

 

Our rankings, which include the top B.A. or B.S./M.D. programs, were created based on the following five factors: 

 

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

 

With many of these programs, you’ll be spending six, seven, or eight years at a single institution, which is why we consider the quality of both the undergraduate and medical school to be incredibly important.

 

In addition, since one of the main benefits of a dual-degree program is saved time, we considered six-year programs to be better than seven-year programs and seven-year programs to be better than eight-year programs (all other factors held equal) in the making of these rankings.

 

Top 22 Combined BS/MD Programs

 

22. University of Connecticut’s Special Program in Medicine 

 

Undergraduate School: University of Connecticut

Medical School: University of Connecticut School of Medicine 

Length: 8 years 

 

To be considered, applicants must have a high school GPA of 3.5. Out of state students can apply to the program; however, Connecticut residents will receive special consideration. 

 

In order to stay in the program, students must maintain a minimum 3.6 GPA, achieve an MCAT score at least in the 80th percentile, and participate in > 100 hours in clinical service, community service, and clinical or benchtop research. 

 

Recently, UConn School of Medicine has implemented their new M Delta curriculum which is more focused on team-based learning and less on lecture-style coursework. 

 

Learn more about UConn and see your chances of acceptance.

 

21. Accelerated Pre-Medicine Program 

 

Undergraduate School: Stevens Institute of Technology

Medical School: New Jersey Medical School

Length: 7 years

 

The Accelerated Pre-Medicine Program allows you to complete your bachelors in 3 years at Stevens Institute of Technology and move to Rutgers New Jersey Medical School for four years of professional studies. 

 

To be eligible for the program, you must rank in the top 10% of your high school class and achieve a 1400 on the SAT or a 32 on the ACT. Your resume must also include some experience with the medical profession whether it’s shadowing, volunteering, or research. 

 

Learn more about Stevens Institute of Technology and see your chances of acceptance.

 

20. Medical Scholars Program

 

Undergraduate School: Saint Louis University

Medical School: Saint Louis University School of Medicine

Length: 8 years (medical school admission not guaranteed)

 

Unlike other programs on this list, the Saint Louis University Medical Scholars Program does not offer a provisional guarantee of admission. However, completion of their requirements gives you a very strong chance of acceptance. Prospective students must apply to the Medical Scholars Program by December 1st of their senior year in high school, and have a strong academic profile with only As and Bs in their science courses. 

 

If you choose to apply to other medical schools, you will forfeit your guaranteed seat at SLU School of Medicine and will have to go through the regular application process in order to be reconsidered. 

 

Undergraduate students in the Medical Scholars Program must maintain a 3.65 GPA. In 2020, 90/135 students in the Medical Scholars Program were cut for GPA reasons. 

 

Learn more about Saint Louis University and see your chances of acceptance.

 

19. University of Illinois College of Medicine Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions (GPPA) Medical Scholars Program  

 

Undergraduate School: University of Illinois Chicago 

Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine 

Length: 8 years

 

To be competitive for the program, students should have at least a 3.75 GPA and should demonstrate an interest in medicine during high school. For the 2019 entering class, the ACT scores ranged from 29 to 36, while the GPA ranged from 3.59 to 4.0 with the average at 3.85. 

 

To remain in the program, students must maintain a cumulative and science GPA of 3.6, complete a senior thesis, and attain an MCAT score of at least 512.

 

Students in the program take four medical-related courses during their time in undergrad: Medicine as a Profession, The Evolution of Medicine, Medicine, Health Policy and Society, and The Art and Science of Medicine. Students will also get the opportunity to attend lectures and seminars and take part in research at the medical school while still in undergrad.

 

Learn more about UIC and see your chances of acceptance.

 

18. University of Colorado’s BA/BS-MD Program 

 

Undergraduate School: University of Colorado Denver 

Medical School: University of Colorado School of Medicine  

Length: 8 years

 

A successful applicant will have a minimum 3.5 GPA and a composite ACT score of at least 27 or SAT score of at least 1185. (Note: for this upcoming cycle, students are not required to submit ACT or SAT scores, but you may submit these scores as supplementary material for your application if you would like to). 

 

Applicants to this program must be Colorado residents and must have an interest in practicing primary care medicine in Colorado. 

 

During their time in the program, students will be required to participate in and attend seminars at the medical school. They also must participate in full time summer programs during each summer in undergrad. 

 

Learn more about University of Colorado Denver and see your chances of acceptance.

 

17. TCNJ/NJMS

 

Undergraduate School: The College of New Jersey

Medical School: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School 

Length: 7 years 

 

To be eligible to apply to this program, you must have a minimum SAT score of 1500 from one test date (so superscores are not allowed) or a 34 or higher on the ACT, as well as rank in the top 5% of your graduating class. 

 

To remain in the program, students must maintain a 3.5 cumulative and science average GPA each semester, earn at least a B in the basic pre-med required science courses, and earn no grade below a C in any course. They are also required to take the MCAT, but there is no minimum score necessary to remain in the program. 

 

During their three years at TCNJ, students must pursue one of the following majors: 

 

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• English
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Economics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Engineering Science
• Math
• Spanish
• History

 

Students in the program are required to complete a summer research program at NJMS or another research university no later than the summer before their first year of medical school. 

 

While most medical students at other schools do not gain clinical exposure until their second year or later, students at NJMS get early clinical exposure through the Physicians Core Program. This program teaches students medical interviewing, physical examination, and ethics and communication skills during their first two years of medical school. 

 

Learn more about TCNJ and see your chances of acceptance.

 

16. Early Medical School Acceptance Program at University of Alabama at Birmingham 

 

Undergraduate School: University of Alabama at Birmingham 

Medical School: University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine 

Length: 8 years 

 

To be considered for the program, students must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.5 and a minimum ACT score of 30 or SAT score of 1360. Students are required to apply for admissions using their official test scores and transcript, so you cannot apply test-optional for this specific program. 

 

In order to remain in the program, students must maintain an overall 3.60 GPA and a 3.50 GPA in math and science courses. They must also receive at least a 506 on the MCAT. 

 

Learn more about UAB and see your chances of acceptance.

 

15. 4+4 BS-BA/MD Program at Hofstra

 

Undergraduate School: Hofstra University  

Medical School: Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell 

Length: 8 years  

 

Applicants must have at least a 3.7/4.0 GPA, rank in the top 10% of their graduating class, and have a minimum of 1410 on the SAT or 32 on the ACT. They are also required to take CASPer which is a situational judgement test that undergraduates are often asked to take during the medical school application process. However, Hofstra asks that you take it prior to admission into the dual degree program. 

 

Students in the dual degree program at Hofstra must maintain a minimum 3.6 overall GPA and 3.6 science GPA. They also must not receive lower than a B in any science course and lower than a C in any non-science course. Lastly, they must score in at least the 80th percentile on the MCAT in their first sitting for the exam. 

 

Hofstra is located just 25 minutes from the bustling city of New York, which makes it an enjoyable location for many. Hofstra’s medical school is partnered with Northwell Health, which is the nation’s 14th largest healthcare organization. During your clinical rotations, you will get opportunities to train at numerous hospitals and see many different populations.

 

Lastly, the first two years of Hofstra’s medical school curriculum is centered around case/problem based learning where students work in small groups to fully understand patient cases. This type of learning style fosters teamwork, leadership, critical thinking, and reflection, all of which will be useful in your future career as a physician.

 

Learn more about Hofstra and see your chances of acceptance. 

 

14. BA/BS + MD Early Assurance Program

 

Undergraduate School: Drexel University

Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine

Length: 8 years

 

Located in beautiful Philadelphia, Drexel’s Early Assurance Program allows students to gain acceptance to undergraduate school and med school at the same time. The program is open to those pursuing majors in Biological Sciences, BAs in Chemistry, or degrees in the Biomedical Engineering four-year program. 

 

High schoolers applying to the program must have a minimum 3.5 weighted GPA and a 1420 on the SAT or a 31 on the ACT. However, the program’s averages are much higher, with an average GPA of 4.42, SAT score of 1538, and ACT score of 34 for accepted students. 

 

Drexel’s 6 month co-op program requires students to get real on-the-job experience, and Drexel also requires that students complete 100 service hours. Finally, undergrads must maintain a 3.6 GPA and receive a minimum 513 on the MCAT. 

 

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

 

13. Accelerated Physician-Scientist Program (B.S./M.D.) 

 

Undergraduate School: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Medical School: Albany Medical College

Length: 7 years

 

While there are dozens of accelerated medical programs across the country, only a handful place as strong an emphasis on research as RPI and AMC’s joint-program. As suggested by its title, the Accelerated Physician-Scientist Program is a 7-year program that is dedicated towards training physician-scientists. Therefore, the program requires students to be heavily involved in both bench and clinical research starting from the undergraduate years.

 

While translational medicine is a huge focus of the program, students also take their share of liberal arts classes (the curriculum consists of 70% premedical courses and 30% liberal arts courses). Apart from its unique focus on medical research, the accelerated program also has an interesting educational timeline; students spend semesters one through five at RPI and split their sixth semester between RPI and AMC. The MCAT is not required for medical school matriculation.

 

Learn more about Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and see your chances of acceptance.

 

12. UMKC School of Medicine B.A./M.D. Program 

 

Undergraduate School: University of Missouri-Kansas City

Medical School: University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine

Length: 6 years

 

The only 6 year program on this list, the UMKC BA/MD Program allows you to spread both undergrad and graduate coursework over your 6 years. Clinical experience begins in the third week of the program through a docent team system and there are numerous opportunities for research and community service. 

 

Admissions for this program are strict, with an average 3.9 high school GPA and 32 ACT score for admitted students. However, the minimum requirements are 3.0 GPA and 24 ACT score, and test scores are superscored. The application is due November 1st, and all tests must be taken before that date. 

 

Learn more about University of Missouri-Kansas City and see your chances of acceptance.

 

11. BA/MD Program (NJMS-NWK) 

 

Undergraduate School: Rutgers University-Newark

Medical School: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

Length: 7 years

 

Rutgers’ BA/MD program offers an accelerated path toward your MD at the oldest medical school in New Jersey. Applicants must be high school seniors and apply by November 1st. Applicants must also have a minimum 1400 on the SAT or 32 on the ACT. 

 

Students in this accelerated program complete their undergraduate degrees in 3 years and are automatically admitted to the medical school provided they maintain minimum progress requirements and complete Rutgers core requirements by the end of junior year. The MCAT is also required, and BA/MD students must achieve scores that are competitive with traditional applicants to Rutgers New Jersey Med School. 

 

Learn more about Rutgers University-Newark and see your chances of acceptance.

 

10. Guaranteed Admission Program

 

Undergraduate School: Virginia Commonwealth University

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

Length: 8 years

 

The medical program is VCU’s best-known Guaranteed Admissions program and offers an 8 year program with provisional admission to the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine after 4 years of undergrad at VCU. High school applicants must have a minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA and an SAT score of 1330 or ACT score of 29. In the past, successful applicants have had an average of 450 hours of experience in medically related fields. 

 

While in undergrad, Guaranteed Admissions Program students must maintain 

a 3.5 GPA and a 508 MCAT. VCU is also committed to making sure its students have relevant experience, requiring hours of community service and ‘healthcare related experiences’ every semester. 

 

Learn more about Virginia Commonwealth University and see your chances of acceptance.

 

9. Pre-Med Health Scholar Program 

 

Undergraduate School: Temple University

Medical School: Temple University School of Medicine

Length: 8 years, possibly 7 years (see website for more info)

 

The Pre-Med Health Scholar Program can be completed in either 7 or 8 years, depending on your preference and performance. All majors are open to students pursuing the 4+4 track, but students on the 3+4 track must pursue a major in the College of Science and Technology.

 

To be accepted to the Health Scholar Program, high school students must have an unweighted high school GPA of 3.8 and demonstrated commitment to healthcare service activities, as well as time as a volunteer in health care settings. The program is test-optional, and there is no stated SAT/ACT minimum for those who submit tests. However, undergrads in the program must maintain a 3.6 GPA and score a minimum 509 on the MCAT to confirm their provisional acceptance to the Temple University School of Medicine. 

 

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

 

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

 

Undergraduate School: George Washington University 

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

Length: 7 years

 

This accelerated dual degree program is designed for students who exhibit academic excellence, competitive SAT/ACT scores (90th percentile), leadership in activities, community service, and health care experiences. 

 

The program requires that you maintain a minimum 3.60 overall GPA and no grades of C or below in any science courses. You must also provide an MCAT practice exam score from an online MCAT review, but you are not required to take the official MCAT. 

 

GWU’s goal is to create “physician citizens” who are committed to public service. Since GWU is located in the heart of the nation’s capital, its students will have endless opportunities to engage in large-scale advocacy to enact change for healthcare issues they care about. 

 

Learn more about GWU and see your chances of acceptance.

 

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

 

Undergraduate School: Penn State University

Medical School: Thomas Jefferson University Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Length: 7 years

 

The PMM program is a 7-year joint program between Penn State University and Thomas Jefferson University’s Kimmel Medical College. Even though the program is accelerated, summer coursework is not mandatory.

 

PMM students — required to score at least a 504 composite on the MCAT (no less than 126 on each section) and maintain a 3.5 GPA — are held to a high academic standard. While students will take essentially the same classes as traditional pre-medical students, the combined medical program will relieve some stress, allowing these students to pursue personal interests.

 

Unlike other undergraduate schools, Penn State offers a Pre-medicine major, which is meant to provide a broad, interdisciplinary foundation for medical school entry. As one of the nation’s most popular medical schools (1 out of 4 to 1 out of 5 medical school applicants apply), TJU’s Kimmel Medical College offers a variety of educational and community programs, which range from an MD/PhD program to a physician shortage area program.

 

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

 

6. Connections Dual Admissions (BS/MD) Program 

 

Undergraduate School: University of Cincinnati

Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Length: 8 years

 

The Connections Dual Admissions Program allows students to gain admission to both the University of Cincinnati’s undergraduate college as well as the College of Medicine. It is a non-accelerated program committed to recruiting underrepresented students. 

 

To be eligible for admission, you must receive a minimum 1300 on the SAT or 29 on the ACT in a single sitting. After acceptance to the Connections Program, undergraduate students must earn a minimum 3.5 GPA and the MCAT is required. 

 

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

 

5. Rochester Early Medical Scholars (REMS) 

 

Undergraduate School: University of Rochester

Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine

Length: 8 years

 

The University of Rochester’s most competitive combined-admission program, Rochester Early Medical Scholars (REMS), allows students to obtain a BA or BS and an MD in eight years. As REMS is not an accelerated program, students are not expected to spend summers studying, and focus is instead placed on research, experience in the clinic, seminars, and social events.

 

In addition, students enrolled in this program are not required to take the MCAT. As a result, students are given the opportunity to pursue a diverse undergraduate experience. On a similar note, Rochester does not implement a Core Curriculum, meaning that students are free to take classes only in what they’re interested in. Since there are no required subjects, REMS students are able to study an enormous range of subjects and even double- or triple-major.

 

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

 

4. Baylor2Medical Track Program 

 

Undergraduate School: Baylor University

Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine

Length: 8 years

 

Just 6 high school students are accepted to this program a year, and all are given scholarships ranging from $12,000 to $40,000. Prospective students must have a 3.8 high school GPA or be a part of the top 5% of their high school class. While test scores are not required, Baylor says considered applicants typically have above a 1430 on the SAT or 32 on the ACT. 

 

In order to confirm provisional acceptance, undergrads in the Baylor2 program must maintain a 3.5 GPA and score in the 501-507 range on the MCAT. Finally, Baylor2 students must complete all pre-med requirements during their time as undergrads. 

 

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

 

3. Guaranteed Admissions Program 

 

Undergraduate School: University of Pittsburgh

Medical School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Length: 8 years

 

The University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine is consistently ranked within the top 20 medical schools nationwide. The Guaranteed Admissions Program (GAP) allows students to be promoted directly to the Pitt School of Medicine. Prospective students must apply by November 1st of their senior years and are required to have a 1490 composite SAT score or 34 ACT score. 

 

Undergrads in the GAP are required to maintain a 3.75 GPA in their undergraduate coursework and continue to seek out medically related experiences during their undergraduate years. The University of Pittsburgh also requires GAP students to meet with advisors every semester for support and guidance. 

 

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

 

2. 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, a private institution located in Cleveland, OH, and CWRU’s School of Medicine, a top 30 medical school, offer fantastic opportunities for aspiring physicians. Due to the school’s proximity to the Cleveland Clinic, a world-renowned medical center, students are able to shadow highly accomplished physicians and perform research in cutting-edge facilities.

 

During their undergraduate years, students are expected to maintain a minimum 3.63 overall (and math and science) GPA. The MCAT is not required, and since PPSP is not accelerated, no summer coursework is necessary. The CWRU School of Medicine lets students choose three different tracks to an M.D.: the University Program (traditional four year curriculum), the College Program (integrates research and clinical work), and the Medical Scientist Program (an M.D./Ph.D. program).

 

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

 

1. Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME)

 

Undergraduate School: Brown University

Medical School: The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

Length: 8 years

 

PLME, Brown University’s 8-year combined medical program, is the only one of its kind in the Ivy League. As an undergraduate institution, Brown is perhaps most noted for its implementation of the Open Curriculum, which essentially allows students to only enroll in the courses that interest them. In support of this academic freedom, PLME does not require its students to take the MCAT. The only academic requirement is that a minimum 3.0 GPA be maintained in biology courses.

 

Alpert Medical School, one of the nation’s most selective medical schools, offers the Scholarly Concentrations Program, through which medical students can pursue a field of study beyond the scope of the traditional curriculum. Areas of study include aging, biomedical informatics, integrative medicine, and medical ethics. In addition, Alpert offers several 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.

 

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. A student should apply to 8-12 schools, with 25% being safety schools, 40% target schools, and 35% reach schools. All of these BS/MD programs are highly-selective and are reaches for everyone, so you should also have less-selective schools on your list.

 

Your chances of acceptance are what make a school a safety, target, or reach. We’ve made it easy to figure out which schools fall into these categories with our free Admissions Calculator. This tool will let you know your odds of acceptance, and give you tips on improving your profile.

 

You can also search for schools based on preferences like location, major, cost, and more. Give it a try to get a jumpstart on your college strategy!