What Are BS/MD, Direct Medical, and Combined Baccalaureate-MD Programs? (2023)

FAQs

What Are BS/MD, Direct Medical, and Combined Baccalaureate-MD Programs? ›

The most recognized benefit of a BS/MD program is the fact that many of these programs accelerate the process of becoming a physician. Traditionally, earning one's bachelor's degree takes 4 years, and medical school takes another 4, for a total of 8 years.

The most recognized benefit of a BS/MD program is the fact that many of these programs accelerate the process of becoming a physician. Traditionally, earning one's bachelor's degree takes 4 years, and medical school takes another 4, for a total of 8 years.

Direct medical programs (also known as combined BA/MD or BS/MD programs) allow students to be accepted into an allopathic medical school from high school. In other words, program students are accepted into both an undergraduate university as well as an allopathic medical school out of high school.

Getting into a BS/MD program is extremely difficult. Each program has different requirements, but, in all cases, you need a high GPA and stellar standardized test scores. The requirements are usually much stricter than those for other undergraduate applicants.

BA/MD vs. BS/DO: What's the Difference? This difference between BS-MD and BA-MD programs relates to the undergraduate degree that you earn as part of the program. With BS-MD programs you will earn a Bachelor of Science undergraduate degree and with BA-MD programs you will earn a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Combining medical school with business school is challenging, but experts say this course of study is beneficial for aspiring physician executives.

Though the majority of programs state that they assess applications holistically, successful BS/MD applicants will typically have a GPA at or near 4.0, rank in the top 5 percent of their graduating class, and achieve a 95th percentile or higher score on the ACT or SAT.

Pre-Professional Scholars Program (PPSP) in Medicine

Students must have a minimum 3.63 overall (and math and science) GPA throughout their undergraduate career to graduate. The MCAT is not necessary, and no summer coursework is required since PPSP is not accelerated.

One of the biggest advantages of being in a BS-MD program is the familiarity you develop with the medical school while still an undergraduate. Because physicians and researchers know that you are serious about medicine, you often find it easier to secure internships or shadowing positions.

What is the hardest major to get into med school with? ›

Specialized health sciences majors have the lowest acceptance rate while physical science majors have the highest acceptance rate. Biological science majors are the most popular in terms of both applicants and matriculants, however, the acceptance rate of these individuals falls somewhere in the middle of the majors.

Because many BS/MD programs have so few seats (often just 5- 10), with acceptance rates of 1% or less, it's important to apply widely to BS/MD programs. Most successful BS/MD candidates will apply to 10 or more BS/MD programs in addition to 5-10 traditional undergraduate programs.

Do You Need to Take The MCAT For a BS/MD Program? BS/MD, BA/MD and BFA/MD programs typically do not require the MCAT. Admitted students take a three to four year baccalaureate program before automatically matriculating into medical school.

After PG medical courses, candidates will be awarded Doctor of Medicine (MD), Master of Surgery (MS), PG Diploma, and Diplomate of National Board (DNB). After PG courses, aspirants can pursue SS degree after which they get admission to Doctorate of Medicine (DM) and Master of Chirurgiae (MCh).

A Doctor of Medicine (MD) is the highest degree for physicians and surgeons. Depending on the country, it can be either a professional doctorate (like in the case of the US or Canada), or a research degree (like in the UK or Germany).

Most programs have an acceptance rate ranging from 1-5%, making the level of competition fierce, despite stringent requirements that must be met by those that wish to apply.

Generally speaking, some of the least competitive medical fields are psychiatry, internal medicine, and emergency medicine.

Apart from the top 5 specialties mentioned above, Interventional Radiology, Radiation Oncology, Vascular Surgery, General Surgery and Med/Peds are among the most difficult domains to become a doctor.

What are their pay expectations? Available data suggests that starting salaries are around $292,500 for MD/MBA hires⁽⁴⁾. This places them significantly ahead of their clinical colleagues whose starting salaries range between $147,000-247,000 a year, depending on their practice specialty⁽⁴⁾.

Do MD MBA get paid more? ›

Salaries are also higher for MD/MBA holders, especially in the past ten years. A 2010 survey reported “an average salary of $325,000 for the MD/MBA graduates” with the four highest earners “making more than $600,000 a year” in venture capital and nonclinical careers.

MD MBA Salary

Hospital administrators are one of the highest paid positions in the medical industry. According to the New York Times, the average annual salary of a hospital administrator was $237,000, about $50,000 more than the average clinical physician who on average earns $185,000.

A GPA of 3.0 or higher is generally considered to be the minimum requirement for most medical schools. Some schools may have a lower minimum requirement, such as a 2.5 or 2.75, but these are less common.

It's difficult but not impossible to get into a top medical school with a GPA of 3.0 or lower if the med school has no GPA requirement. Data from the AAMC shows that acing the MCAT ( a score above 517) and having a GPA between 2.8 and 2.99 results in a 46.7% chance of admission.

The dual MD-MAD degree is currently offered in the following programs: Bioethics; Biomedical Informatics; Clinical Service Operations; Healthcare Quality and Safety; and Media, Medicine and Health.

What is considered a low GPA for medical school? Many medical schools have a cut-off for GPAs below 3.0. The average GPA at most MD medical schools ranges from about 3.7 to 3.9. The average GPA at most DO medical schools ranges from about 3.4 to 3.6.

Many admissions officers view a GPA of 3.8 as very competitive, and they like to see at least a GPA of 3.5 or above. These scores will be especially competitive if your major is related to medicine, and it's even better if it's a difficult science major like neuroscience or physics.

Medical schools need to make sure you're going to finish medical school. A 3.5 GPA is probably good enough to get through medical school. But when you're dealing with a student who's trying to overcome early struggles, they like to see a little bit more.

If you end up not fitting in at your BS/MD program, you can always drop out. However, if you decide to apply to other med schools after dropping out, you may have a tough time.

To be considered, an applicant must have a minimum composite SAT score of 1490 OR composite ACT score of 33. These scores MUST be from one test date ("super-score" will not be considered). There are no exceptions to these mandatory minimum scores.

Which bachelor degree is best for MD? ›

The Association of American Medical Colleges reports that over half of all 2021-2022 medical school applicants majored in biology or biological sciences for their undergraduate degrees [2]. Majoring in biology is one way to ensure you take the prerequisite science courses and labs required by many medical schools.

#1 Chemistry

According to the average Grade Point Average of students in the program, Chemistry wins the prize title hardest major. A Chemistry major overlaps somewhat with biology, but chemistry extends beyond living things.

Year one is the hardest year of medical school.

Many students will likely disagree, but the first year is widely recognized as being the most difficult. The majority of the first year of medical school is spent in classrooms and labs and requires an enormous amount of memorization.

Schools won't think you can't handle medical school because you got a C. More likely, they will look into where you've gone from there. Some students retake the classes early on.

5. How Old is the Average Medical Student? The average age of entering MD students is 24. The average graduating age is 28.

a DO program. Practically speaking, however, it is more difficult to get into an MD program vs. a DO program. During the 2021–2022 academic year, the average MCAT and GPA for students entering U.S. MD programs were 511.9 and 3.74, respectively.

BS MD programs are extremely competitive. Admitted students typically have GPAs at or near 4.0 with equally high standardized test scores on their SAT or ACT.

Usually, any score less than 507 is considered too 'low' for MD programs. While the 3-point difference seems incredibly minor, it's huge in the admission boards' eyes.

Whilst it's certainly possible to get into a medical school with a 507 or below (and there have been cases of students accepted with sub-500 scores), it's unlikely – especially if you're applying for a more competitive college. In general, it's difficult to get accepted with an MCAT score below 500.

With a score of 504–506 or lower, you are not going to be a very competitive candidate. But this score range does not mean you are out of the race! A score of 501 or lower is typically considered too low to be competitive, so you might want to retake the exam or apply to medical schools that do not require the MCAT.

Is an MD more respected than a do? ›

In the United States, an MD degree is typically more well-respected than a DO. That does not mean a physician with either degree is actually better or worse than the other. There are more MDs than DOs, and because of this standardized acceptance of MDs, they often are considered slightly more reputable.

What are the highest-paying doctor jobs? Neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, and general surgeons are the highest-paid doctors. According to Payscale, neurosurgeons earned an average annual salary of $421,000 as of March 2023. Anesthesiologists made an average of $322,980, while general surgeons earned $296,000.

MDs: Medical doctors

Medical doctors practice the classical form of medicine called allopathic medicine. Making up 90% of today's practicing physicians, MDs diagnose and treat disease. They practice independently.

To practice as a medical doctor, you will need a Medical Doctor degree (M.D.). To enter an M.D. program, you'll need to first get an undergraduate degree. Most M.D. programs also view applicants who studied relevant disciplines when they were undergraduates as more eligible for admission.

Gynaecologist. A gynaecologist specialises in treating problems arising in the female reproductive organs and is the first doctor to be approached if you face premenstrual, menstrual or other issues, which are mostly related to hormonal changes.

The most recognized benefit of a BS/MD program is the fact that many of these programs accelerate the process of becoming a physician. Traditionally, earning one's bachelor's degree takes 4 years, and medical school takes another 4, for a total of 8 years.

Getting into a BS/MD program is extremely difficult. Each program has different requirements, but, in all cases, you need a high GPA and stellar standardized test scores.

A Dual Degree & a Double Major: Advantages

Your job perspectives rise. Research has shown that students who combined liberal arts with a STEM field or business degree earn 7.9 to 9.5% more than their single-degree peers, depending on the particular combination. You will not be alone in this challenge.

This accelerated pace can save you money, because you will pay for fewer years of education and become a doctor with real earning potential one year earlier. You will also save (on a much smaller scale) on application costs, since you will not need to complete separate applications for med school.

Is a double major worth it for med school? ›

The benefit of having a double major will not be worth the cost of having a lower GPA and/or lower MCAT score. However, if you think your academic scores will not suffer, you can double major because it can only help your application.

Is a double degree harder? If all of this makes it sound like a double degree is harder, rest assured, it's not. You complete the same number of subjects per semester as you would in a single degree, so your workload remains the same. You just have more subjects to complete overall, meaning it takes longer to graduate.

Most programs have an acceptance rate ranging from 1-5%, making the level of competition fierce, despite stringent requirements that must be met by those that wish to apply.

Though the majority of programs state that they assess applications holistically, successful BS/MD applicants will typically have a GPA at or near 4.0, rank in the top 5 percent of their graduating class, and achieve a 95th percentile or higher score on the ACT or SAT.

a DO program. Practically speaking, however, it is more difficult to get into an MD program vs. a DO program. During the 2021–2022 academic year, the average MCAT and GPA for students entering U.S. MD programs were 511.9 and 3.74, respectively.