BS/MD programs like to see that you have done some type of research. Does that mean more research is better?
No.
Let’s back up and understand why BS/MD programs like to see that students have performed some type of research. Most students who are interested in medicine want to do some type of research. That means that if you do research you look like a typical student interested in medical school.
Moreover, research focuses on the scientific process which is also part of medicine. By learning more about the scientific process you become more capable of performing well in medical school, and there are different techniques you can use to learn faster and improve your mind, you could visit sites as http://www.subconsciousmindpowertechniques.com/how-to-control-your-mind for this knowledge.
So, if you have a summers worth of research you will show that you are interested in medicine and understand the scientific process. That will make a BS/MD program happy.
Does that mean you are wasting your time doing more research? Not if it is something you really enjoy. BS/MD programs, and selective colleges in general want to see students that have a passion. If that passion is research, great. There are some BS/MD programs where that passion will make you a more competitive candidate such as RPI/Albany.
However, if your passion is volunteering, that is great too. For selective colleges, the passion is more important than the topic you are passionate about. For BS/MD programs the passion will typically be either health care related volunteering or research, whichever is more interesting to you.
Hi my daughter is in 11th grade now and took her sat and got 2270 (math and cr 750 each) writing 770.so far she took 6 aps and gor 4 in ap euro and 5 in ap calc ab.her gpa is 3.9 and in the top 1% in her graduating class.she wants to go to 7year bs/md program.her EC activities includes she plays guitar and been playing guitar at the nursing home every sat from last 2 years.went up to semifinal at national history day competetions .In Nhs club anf for sure will be at least a finalist for national merit scholar ship also volunteers at another nursing home with kids.in lot of clubs in school.what are her chances for 7 year program
Niru,
Your daughter appears to be a strong student and doing many of the things that BS/MD programs like to see. That being said, these programs are so competitive that it is really impossible to give any kind of chances. Based on her academic profile she appears to be a competitive candidate for these programs. That means that she will be considered at many of the BS/MD programs. But admissions decisions are made based on other factors such as level of volunteering, research, doctor shadowing, leadership, maturity, essays and the interviews.
Will a score of 800 CR, 720 M, and 800 R disqualify me from serious consideration? My CR and R scores are pretty strong, but my math score is lower than average for most BS/MD programs. I have gotten an 800 on Math Level 2 subject test, but I don’t know if this will compensate for my subpar math performance on the SAT. My other SAT subject tests (Biology, Physics, and US History) are all 780+. I’m a senior right now, so there’s no time to retake my SAT.
Otherwise, I have all the other components for a BS/MD program including research, hospital volunteer, and shadowing.
Andrea,
A 720 math score will not disqualify you from consideration for a BS/MD program particularly if you did well on the math subject test. As long as you are above 700 you are fine. The most selective programs may take a second look at this but for the most part even they won’t be put off since you got an 800 in the subject test.
Hi Mr. Johnson, I was recently invited to apply for the UCSD Medical Scholars Program (BS/MD) and prior to the invitation, I had close to no knowledge of any direct medical program because I had intended to major in Bio/Biomed/Nano Engineering. However, after some rudimentary research about the program itself, I feel as though it is a great opportunity to increase my knowledge in medicine which would enable me to have a greater holistic understanding of the two disciplines and thus be able to draw parallels in my aspiration to develop new types of nanomaterials or nanobots that would further technology in the realm of medicine and/or biology.
All my academic stats seem to fall within the ranges: a 34 ACT composite, 4.0 GPA, and 6 APs total including AP Lang, Bio, Enviro, Chinese, and etc. As well as having taken an EMT course.
However, because I had just recently found out about the program, in my extracurriculars, I have close to no research or lab experience or any other outstanding science-related achievements or endeavors. The application itself is due in March, will the “tribunal” accept passion and grades only? Or is experience a definite must for consideration?
I am planning on pursuing an internship or doing research this coming summer, but I feel as if though it may be too late for me.
Any tips or advice you can give would be greatly appreciated!
Daniel,
There are several areas of interest to BS/MD programs beyond grades and test scores. They like to see health care related volunteering. Depending on what you have done, the EMT course might work for this. They also like to see research experience, doctor shadowing, evidence of leadership and maturity. There is no absolute criteria so it will depend on what other applicants have but the more you are lacking in these areas the more difficult admissions will be.
Hi, I’m applying to programs such as temple med scholars and psu/jeff. Is having no research bad? I haven’t done formal research in a lab, however I have done many simple projects for a science fair. Also do the number of hours for shadowing/volunteering matter when applying? Thanks!
Fruitpunchsaurai,
At many programs, research isn’t required but it is one of those issues that can make you a more competitive candidate. Having done science fairs is often looked at as an alternative to other type of research.
BS/MD programs are not so concerned about the number of hours you have volunteered as much as how you get those hours. Regular consistent volunteering is much more beneficial than having a number of hours in the summer before senior year.
Hi Mr. Todd : My daughter is a Sophomore in a highly competitive high school in NJ. Her currency GPA (as of 9th grade) is 3.5 and PSAT score is 1370. She is volunteering in hospitals for the past 2 years and she is doing other medical related courses during the week-ends. Also applied for re-search opportunities for summer and got appointment with Dr for shadowing this summer. She is also in Chamber Choir and participating in FCCLA leadership conferences. From your experience, what are her chances for BS/MD accelerated courses? She knows that with her GPA its hard on the top tier colleges, so she is open for mid/lower tier colleges. Please let me know your thoughts.
Nithya,
It is very difficult to say whether your daughter will be competitive for a BS/MD program because so much depends on her grades in 10th and 11th grade. The current GPA of 3.5 is lower than we would typically expect to be competitive for a BS/MD program. This is true for all BS/MD programs, not just the most competitive. Typically a GPA lower than 3.8 unweighted will have a tought time with acceptances into a BS/MD program.
Hi Todd,
If I have the basics to make me a competitive applicant (high SAT/ACT, high GPA (top 1%), research, volunteering in a hospital, and shadowing), will other non-medical leadership qualities give me an advantage. Outside of medicine, I do 4 other clubs, three of which I am a leader for, and I also volunteer to teach younger children 2 sports (as a youth karate and basketball coach). I technically have 5 leaderships that aren’t medicine related, and all of my activities take up a lot of time. Not to mention, I have a job that I’m paid for as a karate instructor. Do the job and other non-medical extracurriculars increase my chances of getting into a highly competitive BS/MD – not just Drexel/Drexel, like Brown and Rochester?
Thank you so much in advance!
Catie,
I can’t comment on admissions chances because there are so many variables but in general terms, BS/MD programs like to see students that have leadership qualities even if that leadership isn’t just in the medical area. And for the record all BS/MD programs are considered highly competitive given their very low acceptance rate. Drexel/Drexel for example is typically more selective than Princeton or Yale.
If I know that I want to be a doctor for sure, does the ranking of the medical school really matter? How many med schools are in America, and which med school rankings would one have the best chance to get their desired specialty?
Matt,
Ranking of medical schools is fairly arbitrary and is not really an issue for becoming a doctor. As long as the medical school is an accredited one you will be fine attending. There are about 170 medical schools in the US but new ones are regularly being added. Getting a desired specialty is mainly a factor in how you do in medical school rather than where you go to medical school.
Hi Mr. Johnson,
I am going to be a 9th grader next academic year and I have been interested in applying to a BS/MD school for a long time. I have already done the basic research as of combing through multiple BS/MD websites and reading your book and BS/MD checklist. Is there anything else I could do to prepare myself to be a competitive candidate in high school over the summer?
Thank you
Jenny,
Other than the basics of good grades, good test scores, health care related volunteering, research, doctor shadowing, maturity and leadership, the strongest candidates tend to have something extra. Most commonly this is much stronger than average volunteering or research. For example, most students will have a summer of research. But if you have 4 years of research that would set you apart from other candidates. Similarly if you have 4 years of health care related volunteering that can set you apart. There are various ways to do this but the stronger you are in the core areas, usually the stronger you are as a candidate.
My daughter is a 2nd year student at North Carolina leading university. Pursuing double major in Biology and Global health . She has Hospital volunteering, job Shadowing and Research program.
He 12th grade GPA was 5.0 and God a SAT score of 2360 ( Math 770, Cr 790 , Wr 800) . She was also accepted into the 7 year medical program at Philadelphia. But not knowing better we chose the leading pre-med university.
this university is extremely hard in grading on science subjects and she is currently hold a GPA of 3.0 in her college score. Her Science GPA is close to 2.8 right now with 3 semesters gone by. What are her chances of for MD/DO ?
Mickey,
In general terms medical schools don’t care where students attend college. They also don’t care about what happened in high school academically. With a GPA of 3.0 and a science GPA around 2.8, her chances of acceptance into a medical school is very slim. Typically I recommend a minimum overall GPA of 3.5 and a science GPA similar or a little higher, like a 3.6.
Hi Mr.Johnson,
For BS/MD programs , do they have any preference for SAT or ACT? Do the student need to take both or just one?
Also, do they consider 12 grade gpa?
Thanks,
Sathish
Sathish,
BS/MD programs generally do not have a preference for ACT or SAT scores. There are a few programs left that might have a preference but they are few and generally for residents of a particular state only.
Yes, 12th grade GPA is considered but because of timing, usually the first half grades only for admissions. That being said, if your grades drop significantly second term senior year colleges can revoke offers of admissions.
Hi Mr Johnson,
I have 2 questions. Are achievements required/preferred to stand out from other applicants? My school doesn’t offer any medical-related clubs, so are there any organizations or other method to get more involved?
Alekhya,
It depends on what you mean by achievements. Awards, no you don’t need to have. Activities like health care related volunteering, doctor shadowing and preferably research? Yes you need to have. Medically related clubs in the high school are not necessary. It is more about what you do on your own such as volunteering. If you have great volunteering you might not need any high school activities.
Is it necessary to have research in the summer of freshman year because I have been looking everywhere and everyone is saying that you need to be older. Also, what kinds of volunteering are good? Like nursing homes, free clinics, etc? Do you also know anything STEM or health care related rising sophomores can do in the summer?
Sam,
Research is not necessary as a freshman. Most students don’t get early research because of restrictions that many labs have.
As for volunteering, all is good, but you want a significant portion in health care related areas. This might be a hospital but just as good is a nursing home, dementia facility, free clinic or the like. The longer and more consistently you have health care volunteering, the stronger your application will typically be.