vcu bs md essay

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

Combined degree program.

School Name: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine Richmond, VA

Contact information: Regional campus(es) Virginia Commonwealth-MCV (Main campus) Richmond, VA Virginia Commonwealth-INOVA Falls Church, VA Address: 1201 E Marshall St #4-100, Richmond, VA 23298, USA Medical School Website

Combined Degree Programs

Baccalaureate/MD Program

Undergraduate college(s) where baccalaureate degree will be completed

Baylor University, University of Houston, Rice University, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

About this program

Baylor College of Medicine offers innovative programs that give exceptional senior high school students provisional acceptance to medical school. Each program allows eight years of mentoring and enrichment activities to highly motivated students with a passion for learning.

The programs are not “fast-track” but require a commitment where students are exposed to a range of exciting opportunities. Study abroad, research and other unique experiences are tailored to meet the individual’s educational plan.

The following programs promote diversity among future physicians.

Website for further information

https://www.bcm.edu/education/schools/medical-school/bacc-md-programs

BS/MD Programs 2019 – 2020

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Guaranteed University Admission

Review application requirements and frequently asked questions for Guaranteed University Admission. 

Introduction

VCU is proud to offer guaranteed university admission to first-year applicants who have a high school GPA of 3.5 or are among the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class! Apply today for your acceptance. The benefit to you is an admissions process without the stress that comes with uncertainty in the college selection process.

Frequently asked questions 

Learn more about Guaranteed University Admission . 

Just apply through the Common App, including the Common App required essay, and submit your high school transcript by VCU’s  first-year regular decision deadline, Jan. 16, 2024! Please note the regular decision deadline for guaranteed university admission has been extended to Feb. 15, 2024. Applications received after Feb. 15, 2024 will be considered for guaranteed university admission on a case-by-case basis. There are no additional application materials for guaranteed university admission.

Do you have a high school GPA of at least 3.5 or are you in the top 10% of your high school graduating class?  If so, you’ll qualify for VCU’s guaranteed university admission! 

VCU uses the weighted GPA, if shown on your high school transcript. 

No, the School of the Arts has major-specific requirements.   However, we welcome your application to the program and hope you will continue to consider VCU!

No, the College of Engineering has major-specific requirements . However, we welcome your application to the program and hope you will continue to consider VCU!

• First-year applicants with a high school GPA of 3.5 or in the top 10% of their high school graduating class are qualified for guaranteed university admission . 
• The Honors College Guaranteed Admission is for highly qualified students already admitted to the university who are interested in entering professional programs without competing via general admission at a later date. 
• Transfer students are not eligible for university guaranteed admission. VCU has transfer guaranteed admission agreements with the Virginia Community College System and other two-year colleges.

While your admission to the university may be guaranteed, your enrollment for Fall 2024 will be dependent upon (i) a post-admission/pre-enrollment criminal history inquiry that does not reveal criminal history information that is determined to pose a threat to the university community; (ii) review of disciplinary records that does not reveal behavior contrary to the university’s mission and values or in violation of VCU policies; (iii) satisfactory completion of in-progress coursework and graduation from high school; and (iv) responses on the VCU Offer Response Form.

For more information about guaranteed university admission to VCU, please contact our Office of Admissions at [email protected] or 804-828-1222.

First-year links

• Application overview
• Application checklist
• Student profile

Find answers in our  FAQs

Have questions about the application process? Explore our frequently asked questions.

for me as an international student; can I join VCU in BS/MD program?

planning to join the combined program in VCU @

Earn karma by helping others:

Unfortunately, I don't think you can. This is from their website:

"International students may apply and receive admission to pre-pharmacy and pre-medicine programs, but are currently not eligible for the subsequent graduate programs at Virginia Commonwealth University (i.e., Pharm.D. and M.D.).

International students, however, may apply for nonprofessional, graduate research-based programs in the health sciences."

More info can be found here: https://www.vcu.edu/admissions/apply/international/undergraduate-applicants/#tabs-193116.

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Virginia Commonwealth University: VCU Secondary Application Tips & Essay Prompts

• Cracking Med School Admissions

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine is a popular medical school for Virginia residents. The VCU Admissions Committee love seeing students who have ample clinical experiences with patients and students who also possess humility. The VCU secondary application essay prompts change year after year. Therefore, our Cracking Med School Admissions team suggest that you  do not pre-write the VCU secondaries. 

Our Cracking Med School Admissions team has a track record of helping our mentees receive acceptances to Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, including the special fmSTAT program , a special program for aspiring physicians to get partnered with a family medicine physician mentor. The program also gives scholarships to selected students. Read all our VCU secondary application tips  below. To learn more about student life, read our blog post  Cracking VCU Medical School Admissions: Secondary Application, Interview, Curriculum, and Student Life

• Personally Tailored Essays
• Edits by Stanford & Harvard-trained Doctors
• We study your application strengths to see what unique attributes we’ll bring to the medical school

Virginia Commonwealth University Secondary Application Questions: 2023 – 2024

Vcu secondary application: md essay prompts.

• You are approached by a neighbor whom you are friendly with and who knows you are headed to medical school. The neighbor wants your opinion on whether she should have her healthy 3-year-old child vaccinated against COVID. The neighbor is well-researched and thoughtful, bringing up data that suggests limited long-term benefits of vaccination, while pointing to concerning, documented side effects. How would you respond to this dilemma? Research on the topic is encouraged  ( Comments are limited to 2000 characters )
• How do you define “grit”, and how have you demonstrated this in the past?  (2,000 character limit)
• (If applicable) Please briefly explain any lapses in your undergraduate education that are not explained in your application.
• (If applicable) Please briefly explain any low GPAs or poor grades.
• (If applicable – gap year) If not addressed in your application, what are you currently doing now?

VCU Secondary Application: fmSTAT Essay Prompts

• Describe the doctor you want to be and discuss how a career in family medicine will help you achieve that. (2,500 characters max)
• Describe your concept of what Family Medicine is and tell us what specific influence led you to this understanding? (2,500 characters max)

Tips to Answer VCU Secondaries

VCU Secondary Pre-Writing Guidance: We would definitely not pre-write your VCU Secondaries because the essay prompts change each year. However, you should work on it immediately about you receive the official Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine secondary application. You can start researching about the school though! Please note that this is NOT the VCU BS/MD program’s application essays. For more information about BS/MD undergraduate programs, you can check out our website BSMDAdmit.com .

• Download  all  our HIGH-YIELD tips for secondary essays:  Cracking Med School Admissions Secondary Essay Guide
• Read more information about the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine admissions statistics here .

  VCU Secondary Application Tip #1: The most important aspects to emphasize in your VCU secondaries are:

• Academic readiness – if there is any doubt you are prepared for medical school, the VCU Admissions Committee gives you ample opportunity to talk about it. And, you should!
• Patient experiences – write about your clinical experiences. To stand out, you need to include at least 1 patient story in your essays.
• Research – if you did any research as a premedical student, you can mention it throughout your VCU secondaries. 

VCU Secondary Application Tip #2: Talk about any affiliations with Virginia. If you want to practice in Virginia in the long-term, definitely mention that in your VCU Medical School secondary application! 

VCU Secondary Application Tip #3: Tips if you have low grades, it is important to explain them. VCU wants to make sure you will thrive and succeed as a medical student.

Here are some tips to discuss your low grades:

• If you have poor grades, you need to give a reason WHY you had bad grades and also how you have improved over time.
• If there is a clear upward trend in your GPA, then you should point that out.
• Explain how you have learned from struggling in your academics, and how you will incorporate these skills learned throughout medical school. 

VCU Secondary Application Tip #4: Take advantage of the unlimited character limit to discuss your gap years. Be thorough and include all your endeavors. You can also incorporate how your gap year experience relates to what you want to do in your future career. It is also important to  write stories.   You should definitely include at least 1 story about patient care. 

VCU Secondary Application Tip #5:  Our Cracking Med School Admissions LOVES the fmSTAT program. We strongly encourage students who are interested in family medicine and primary care to apply. Read about the fmSTAT program to see if this is something that interests you! 

Essays for the fmSTAT program are included in your VCU medical school secondary application edits if you work with us on application packages or secondary essay editing packages . 

VCU Secondary Application Tip #6: Don’t forget to incorporate a little bit about “Why Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine” throughout the VCU medical school secondary application. Talk about projects and research you want to do at VCU. Convey if you want to do any projects in the local Virginia community.

• Read our VCU School of Medicine profile to learn more about VCU’s curriculum and student culture.
• Read our blog post why this medical school to gain insights on how to incorporate a strong “Why VCU School of medicine.” 

VCU Secondary Application Tip #7: We can help you submit a strong VCU secondary application through our secondary essay packages . Have questions about how you can stand out? Contact us below.

[ Read more secondary essay tips:  New York Medical College ,  Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) ,  University of Virginia (UVA) ,  George Washington  ]

Your medical school application Coaches, Mentors, & Cheerleaders

We Personally Advise Every Student We Work With.

Rachel Rizal, M.D.

Changing the trajectory of people’s lives.

Undergraduate Princeton University, cum laude

Medical School Stanford School of Medicine

Residency Harvard, Emergency Medicine

Awards & Scholarships Fulbright Scholar USA Today Academic First Team Tylenol Scholarship

Rishi Mediratta, M.D., M.Sc., M.A.

Advising students to attend their dream schools.

Undergraduate Johns Hopkins University, Phi Beta Kappa

Residency Stanford, Pediatrics

Awards & Scholarships Marshall Scholar Tylenol Scholarship Global Health Scholar

stand out from other applicants with our secondary essay edit packages

Download your secondary essay guide.

Use this essay guide and workbook to write standout secondaries.

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Virginia Commonwealth University Secondary Application Questions: 2022 – 2023

• The last couple of years have been challenging for us all in various ways (i.e., dealing with the impacts of COVID, social unrest and injustices). Please describe a particular challenge you faced. What are some challenges others may have experienced? What did you learn about yourself and others during this time?  (2,000 character limit)
• Please briefly explain any lapses in your undergraduate education that are not explained in your application. (2,000 character limit)
• Please briefly explain any low GPAs or poor grades.
• If not addressed in your application, what are you currently doing now? (2,000 character limit)

VCU Secondary Application: MD/PhD Essay Prompts

• Describe your motivation for obtaining a dual degree.  (3,000 character limit)
• Describe your significant research experience(s) and your role in any publications. (10,000 character limit)
• Describe scientific topics and/or labs at VCU that appeal to your future research aspirations. (1,000 character limit)

Virginia Commonwealth University Secondary Application Questions: 2021 – 2022

• Cultural humility is defined as a “process of reflection and lifelong inquiry which involves self-awareness of personal and cultural biases, as well as, an awareness and sensitivity to significant cultural issues of others.” Please provide an example of a specific time you demonstrated cultural humility with some reflection on the experience. (2,000 characters max)
• Please briefly explain any lapses in your undergraduate education that are not explained in your application.
• If not addressed in your application, what are you currently doing now?

Virginia Commonwealth University Secondary Application Questions: 2020 - 2021

Vcu school of medicine secondary application md essay prompts.

• You are living in a world experiencing the ravages of the Coronavirus which has impacted millions of people since December 2019. Please discuss how the COVID 19 pandemic has affected you personally. What have you learned from your experiences? Please discuss what you perceive may have been some realities that others may have experienced. How has COVID 19 experience influenced your desire to become a physician? (2,000 characters max)
• Please briefly explain any lapses in your undergraduate education; include any in enrollment during your undergraduate education and/or any gaps between undergraduate education and applying to medical school. (For example – poor grades, multiple withdraws, health reasons, etc.)

VCU School of Medicine fmSTAT Essay Prompts

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Virginia Commonwealth University Secondary Application Questions: 2019 – 2020

• Imagine that you are volunteering as a medical assistant in a pediatric clinic. Due to several walk-in urgent cases the clinic has fallen behind schedule about an hour. You are getting the intake information and vitals on a child when the parent becomes visibly angry and starts cursing about the amount of time they have waited to be seen. The parent demands that you get the pediatrician immediately but you know that she is currently doing a medical procedure in the next room. How would you handle this situation? (2,000 characters max)

Virginia Commonwealth University Secondary Application Questions: 2018 – 2019

• Medicine is a lifelong learning career where new understandings of diseases are constantly changing and new medications are continuously being added, yet motivating patients continues to be a stimulating challenge. Please discuss in 2,000 characters or less ways physicians address this issue. You may use resources to answer this question, mention them but footnotes are not necessary.

Virginia Commonwealth University Secondary Application Questions: 2017 – 2018

• Imagine that you are a volunteer premed working in a free clinic that serves a large immigrant population. Your duties include taking the patients’ medical history. Today you are working with an elderly patient who does not speak English and the adult son is translating for his mother. You notice that he is answering many of the questions for her without translating. During the conversation, the son tells you that if his mother has cancer he does not want her to know because the news “will kill her”. He says that in his family he speaks for the elderly mother and does not want a translator. How will you approach this situation? (You may seek help to answer this question.)

Virginia Commonwealth University Secondary Application Questions: 2016 – 2017

• Imagine that you are at a social gathering and your neighbor comes over to congratulate you on your acceptance to medical school. She goes on to ask you about your opinion on childhood vaccinations. She is worried about vaccinating her baby because of some of the things that she has read about vaccines. How would you respond to her? (You may use any resources for your answer). (2,000 characters max)

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Graduation Day

Join us Friday, May 10, for our School of Medicine commencement events: the Advanced Degree Ceremony at 11 a.m., and the M.D. Hooding Ceremony at 3 p.m.

M.D. Program Admissions

Welcome from the senior associate dean.

At VCU School of Medicine, we are proud to train the next generation of skilled and compassionate physicians and scientists, and we are honored that you are considering joining our community.

There is more to becoming a doctor than memorizing an anatomy textbook, and there is more to being a competitive applicant than high test scores. Each year we welcome a new class of talented and multidimensional students to our campus, and we are humbled and honored to learn just as much from our community of learners as we can teach them in the classroom and in the clinic.

Applying to medical school can be a daunting task, and we in the Office of Admissions are committed to providing support and transparency every step of the way. We encourage you to be yourself as you embark on this journey and wish you the best of luck as you pursue your dream of becoming a physician.

Donna H. Jackson, Ed.D. Interim Senior Associate Dean for Admissions & Student Outreach

Prospective Applicants

We participate in the American Medical Colleges Application Service (AMCAS) cycle, and accept both Early Decision and regular M.D. applications.

• Step 1: AMCAS application
• Step 2: Supplemental application
• Step 3: Committee screening
• Step 4: Interview
• Step 5: Admissions offer
• Step 6: Acceptance and deposit

Learn more about how to apply

Looking for graduate program admission information?

For information about admission to our graduate programs (Ph.D., M.S., certificate and post-baccalaureate programs), please see our Office of Graduate Education's programs section .

For information about our graduate medical education admissions, please see our Office of Graduate Medical Education webpage.

Other Programs

Medical Scientist Training Program

Interested in both medicine and research? Consider applying to our dual M.D.-Ph.D. program, with integrated curriculum that blends medical school with research in basic or social science or biomedical engineering, under the direction of a faculty mentor. Students earn both an M.D. and a Ph.D. in an average of eight years.

Explore the MSTP

Premedical Graduate Health Sciences Certificate

This one-year, graduate-level program, known as CERT, is designed for students seeking to enhance their qualifications and improve overall competitiveness for admission into medical school. Students who successfully complete the program may be eligible for a guaranteed interview at VCU School of Medicine.

Read more about CERT

Interview Process

Designed to assess skills that cannot be measured through academic transcripts or exam scores, we use the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) method . Currently, our interview season is August – March and all interviews are conducted via Zoom.

Learn more about our interview process

Life in Richmond

We encourage our students to maintain a healthy work-life balance, and Richmond is a wonderful place to engage in a well-rounded lifestyle. As a mid-sized city with a metropolitan population of 1.3 million, Richmond features vibrant neighborhoods that offer distinct, diverse experiences, with no shortage of art galleries, museums, music venues, restaurants, breweries and parks.

Learn about our community

About the School

Ready to get started.

Apply to VCU School of Medicine today

Donna H. Jackson, Ed.D.

Interim Senior Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Outreach

Office of Student Outreach Programs

Director of Student Outreach

Phone: 804-828-9629

Fax: 804-828-1246

Email: [email protected]

Address/Location: Physical Address: 1201 E. Marshall St., Room 1-306 Mailing Address: Box 980565 Richmond, VA 23298

Keith D. Baker, PhD

Assistant Dean for Admissions

Office of the Associate Dean for Admissions

Email: [email protected]

Shenia Tyler White

Office Manager

Email: [email protected]

Natalia O'Brien

Student Outreach Coordinator

Admissions Office

Email: [email protected]

Anna Leonard

Admissions Program Support Specialist

Email: [email protected]

Lonnell Wiggins

Administrative Assistant

Email: [email protected]

Honors College

Incoming freshmen.

The Honors College offers opportunities for you to discover your passions and connect with a diverse student body to develop a standard of excellence. We encourage students from all disciplines and backgrounds to apply to the Honors College.

Admission Guidelines

Admission into the VCU Honors College is competitive, and all applicants are expected to have challenged themselves in high school through their course selections. The Honors College conducts a holistic review on all applicants with the following recommended admission guidelines:

• Unweighted high school grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• Combined SAT score of at least 1330 (writing not included) OR an ACT composite score of at least 29.

Students who do not meet these criteria but feel an exception should be made remain eligible to apply as other components (extracurricular, honors, leadership, etc.) will be used in the holistic review and may offset lower quantitative scores.

Please note : For the 2024-2025 application year, test scores will not be required for general admission into the Honors College. Applicants who are able to take a standardized test and would like the scores to be used in our holistic application review may still submit scores. Students without test scores will receive a holistic review on all other portions of the application. Submission of test scores remains a requirement for all Guaranteed Admission Programs. 

If you are a high school student interested in joining the Honors College, consider registering for an information session via Zoom. Questions about the information sessions can be directed to the Honors Recruitment and Enrollment Counselor, Will Gilbert ( [email protected] ). 

Register for an Info Session

Application Process

In addition to the submission of your VCU Common Application, prospective students must submit an Honors College application. As a first-time user, you will be prompted to create a username and password on the Honors College website. Once you have created a username and password, your application can be saved and completed at a later time. Upon submission of your Honors College application you will receive a confirmation email.

The Honors College will confirm your test scores and grade point average through the materials sent in with your Common Application. You do not need to send additional transcripts or scores to the Honors College.

As you prepare to apply, please consider these application components:

Submission of VCU Honors College application. You will need the following information to complete the application:

• Your unweighted high school GPA.
• Date(s) and score(s) for your SAT and/or ACT (optional for 2024-2025 admissions cycle).
• Date(s), subject(s) and score(s) for any Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate tests you have taken or plan to take.
• List any extracurricular involvement (leadership, service, honors, awards, etc.).
• Major influences on your intellectual and personal development, such as curricular and extracurricular experiences, community service or important people, events or ideas
• Your immediate educational goals and plans for achieving them
• Your goals and dreams for the future

Honors Application Portal

Important Dates & Deadlines

The VCU Honors College application will be available in early August.

Applications to the Honors College from incoming freshmen are accepted through April 15 of the senior year in high school. However, students are encouraged to apply by our priority deadline of February 1 . All prospective freshmen who apply to the Honors College by February 1 will be notified of our admissions decision by April 1.

Applications received after the priority deadline of February 1 will be considered on a space-available basis. All admissions decisions will be made no later than June 15. Applications received after 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 15 will not be considered.

Incoming Freshman Honors students are also eligible to apply for Honors College scholarships. Honors College scholarships require a supplemental application. Students will be emailed more information regarding scholarships. Students who wish to be considered for the University-wide scholarships from the Office of Admissions must also submit their Common Application by November 1.

Are you applying for an Honors College Guaranteed Admission Program?

Students interested in applying to the Honors College Guaranteed Admission Programs should begin the Honors College incoming student application and select which Guaranteed Admission Program they are interested in when prompted. Selecting a Guaranteed Admission Program will open the second half of the application, which is only for students applying to a Guaranteed Admission Program. This application must be completed in full with supporting documents by November 1  for consideration for the Guaranteed Admission Program. Students will be evaluated for both admission into the Honors College as well as into the selected Guaranteed Admission Program. Incoming freshmen who are interested in Guaranteed Admission do not need to complete a personal education paper. To learn more about the Guaranteed Admission Program requirements visit the link below.

Honors Guaranteed Admission Program

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This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.

Important general information

Students interested in the pre-medicine career advising track must obtain a bachelor’s degree and complete the necessary prerequisites for medical school. All prerequisites should be completed or on track to be complete prior to medical school matriculation. Best results occur when all prerequisite courses have been taken and grades are available at the time of application. Students interested in medical school should consult with a pre-professional health career adviser to learn about requirements that are specific to the schools of medicine to which they hope to apply.

Declaration of a pre-medical career advising track through VCU Career Services - Pre-Professional Health Career Advising does not constitute admission to the VCU School of Medicine. Students must apply separately to the medical school of their choice at the appropriate time.

Students with an interest in preparing for medical school must declare an academic major and should declare and maintain their pre-medical career advising track. Students do not earn a pre-medical degree. Students unsure of their academic majors initially should clarify their academic interests through regular conversations with their primary/major academic adviser and pre-professional health career advisers. Pre-medical students are encouraged to major in fields of greatest interest to them. To declare a pre-medicine career advising track, see the  Pre-Professional Health Hub .

Beyond curricular requirements, students must obtain additional experiences to be a competitive applicant for the VCU School of Medicine. Successful applicants have an average of 200 hours of clinical exposure, interacting with both physicians (>60 hours) and patients. Non-clinical community service that demonstrates their passion for serving others over an extended amount of time is required; 200 hours is the average. Students should be knowledgeable about how their clinical exposure and community service has impacted their motivation to study medicine and be successful in the classroom. It is also helpful to the applicant but not mandatory to have research and leadership experience.

Prerequisites for the VCU School of Medicine

The American Association of Medical Colleges recommends students gain a core set of competencies in preparation for the Medical College Admissions Test. The MCAT is taken prior to students applying to medical school and results are weighed heavily in admissions decisions. Best results on the MCAT occur when all prerequisites have been taken prior to sitting for the MCAT exam. Please see the AAMC website  for more information regarding MCAT content.

Science and non-science prerequisite courses required for the VCU School of Medicine

Science prerequisite course work that students must complete for VCU School of Medicine are general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics (eight credits each). Another upper-level biological science course is also required. Courses include but are limited to biochemistry, cell biology, anatomy, embryology, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, immunology or neuroscience.

In addition to the prerequisites listed above, VCU’s School of Medicine requires pre-medical students to take two semesters of English composition and two semesters of mathematics (general statistics can count as one semester). All students also must have clinical exposure to physicians and patients and must have community-based nonclinical community service.

The VCU School of Medicine does not require introductory psychology or sociology as prerequisites, but they are highly recommended. Biochemistry, introductory psychology and introductory sociology are topics covered on the MCAT and are prerequisites for some medical schools. 

VCU’s School of Medicine does accept AP and CLEP credit to meet pre-medical course requirements if these are documented on an official transcript. Please note that lab credit will still be required and applicants may meet lab credit with the lab sections of advanced science courses or practical experience, such as documented relevant experience in a research lab.

Additional resources

VCU offers an introduction to medicine course (offered as a topic under UNIV 291) every spring semester, which is focused on the VCU medical school application process with insight into medical career choices. Students should see their academic adviser for additional details.  

For more information about the VCU School of Medicine , visit their website.

Recommended upper-level biology electives include biochemistry, cell biology, anatomy, embryology, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, immunology or neuroscience.

MATH 200 is a prerequisite for PHYS 207 .

MATH 201 is a prerequisite for PHYS 208 .

Additional recommended prerequisites for medical schools nationwide

Medical schools across the U.S. have different prerequisites for admission. The list below shows courses required by various schools beyond the courses listed above for the VCU School of Medicine. Students should discuss career plans with their pre-professional health career adviser for additional guidance.

Students should also consult with their academic adviser and pre-professional health career advisers to discuss an individual plan of study in parallel with their academic majors.

Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia 23284 Phone: (804) 828-0100 [email protected]

All Bulletins © 2024-2025 Virginia Commonwealth University Wed Aug 23 2023 07:43:04 GMT-0500 (CDT)

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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.

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.

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  

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: 

• Computer Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Engineering Science

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 

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

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

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

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

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 

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

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

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

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. Baylor 2 Medical Track Program  

Undergraduate School: Baylor University

Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine

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 Baylor 2 program must maintain a 3.5 GPA and score in the 501-507 range on the MCAT. Finally, Baylor 2 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

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

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

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.

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!

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