If you haven’t had a chance to check out my last post about BS-MD programs, you can find it here. Today, I want to dive a little deeper into the application process for BS-MD programs so you know what to expect. Although the application season is already somewhat underway, you may still have some time to prepare and submit your application to some programs. If you are a junior in high school thinking about applying to a BS-MD program next year, then you should start thinking about your application.
The Application Timeline
The application process begins many months before you submit your application. Just as you have likely spent the first few years of high school preparing for your college application, if you are interested in BS-MD programs, you have been preparing your application for some time now. The application process starts in the late fall months with most application deadlines to the undergraduate institution of your choice in November or December. On this application, you should indicate that you are interested in the BS-MD option at that school. Once you have been accepted to the undergraduate school, you will typically be notified in January or February, in which you will move on to the next stage of the process. The next step is to interview with the medical school, which usually takes place in March or April with an admissions decision being made approximately within four weeks of your interview.
If you are looking for more details about each school’s application process, check out The High School Pre-Med, now available on Amazon!
What is involved in the application process?
The initial application is based on the application process to the undergraduate institution. If that undergraduate school uses the Common Application, then this must be submitted for admission into the undergraduate school first. If the school does not use the Common Application, then you will have to apply to that school directly.
Each BS-MD program has slightly different application requirements but in general, you may have to submit extra essays including a personal statement and undergo an interview with medical school staff members. For example, for admission to the George Washington
School of Medicine BS-MD program, you must submit a personal statement along with your common application and a separate essay entitled “Applying to Medical School” in which you describe your desire to start your journey to become a physician at St. Bonaventure University and then George Washington University for medical school.
Most schools will also require 2-3 letters of recommendation on your behalf that speak to your academic strengths, character, and other traits that will make you a good candidate for medical school. You should look to individuals that know you well and are willing to write a letter for you. Individuals that make good letter writers include teachers, counselors, and supervisors that you have worked with up to that point .
If you make it to the interview portion of the process, you should approach it with the same rigor as someone interviewing for medical school the traditional way. The medical school wants to know that you are committed to the process of becoming a physician as well as the maturity level to handle the process.
Overall, the application process for BS-MD programs will add more work for you than just applying to college alone but the benefits of possibly gaining a medical school seat before you even start college can be well worth it. If you are highly motivated to become a physician and know this while in high school, I would highly recommend submitting your application for BS-MD programs. Even if you are not accepted to one of these programs, you can still apply to medical school later on in college via the traditional application route.
If you have any questions or would like to work with me on your application, please contact me at david@getadmittedmd.com!
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