Should I Apply To BSMD Programs?

They go by many names. Eight-year programs, direct med school, guaranteed medical school, etc. BS/MD, or BSMD programs, allow high-achieving high school students committed to a career in medicine to lock down their track towards becoming a doctor. While few in number, many applicants latch onto these programs as an opportunity to streamline their way into medical school.

Accepting a BSMD program, or a BS/MD [combined Bachelor of Science, BS, and Medical Doctorate, MD] is like accepting an Early Decision to medical school in many cases. You can't just decide one day you don't feel like following through on a binding agreement.

As a high school senior, maybe you can proclaim right now with absolute confidence that you've always wanted to be a doctor and that's never ever going to change. Well, no matter how certain you are, it might change. Since most people are 18 when they apply to colleges, their identity is still going to grow and shift. Many undergraduates go through a period of doubt about what they're going to study or what their true passions are - the first years of college are the perfect time to explore different subjects and try out new classes. In a BS/MD program, you'll need to complete the heavy science load of pre-med requirements.

Think carefully about your motivations for becoming a doctor and understand the commitment.

Ok. There are still some things to note though.

1. Because you've dedicated yourself to this school, you will not be able to apply to other, possibly higher-ranking medical schools.
2. In the case of accelerated 6 or 7-year programs, expect to work your butt off day in and day out to keep up with the breakneck speed of coursework. The grind is real and potentially crushing.
3. Before you even get into college, you'll already need top grades, test scores, and extracurriculars to be competitive enough to be accepted at a BS/MD program.

Kudos to you. With BSMD programs, you'll be able to save the stress of applying to medical school. In some cases, you may not even have to take the MCAT. In the case of an accelerated program, you'll save time and possible student debt.

At Empowerly, our college admissions experts are here to help you with every step of the application process. Curious about one of our counselors' own journeys through BSMD admissions? Check it out here! Whether you're an upperclassman pondering BS/MD programs or an undergraduate about to apply to medical school. Schedule a free consultation in less than a minute below.