For many high school seniors, choosing a career path is not a decision made easily or hastily. However, the current generation of students, who endured the COVID-19 pandemic — and demonstrate an even greater interest in job potential, security and a passion for helping others — has contrbuted to a growing number of people interested in medical careers.
With many pathways available to becoming a doctor, there’s a growing interest in combined bachelor of science and doctor of medicine programs. Though students cannot directly enter medical school from high school due to rigorous admission requirements, B.S.-M.D. programs afford highly competitive students a streamlined path to medical school by offering conditional acceptance or guaranteed interviews, making this an increasingly attractive route to the field.
Securing a spot in these programs is highly competitive and requires meticulous planning and preparation to present a strong, compelling application. Here are five critical tips for navigating this pathway while maximizing your chances of admission.
Begin Early With a Strong Resume
A well-crafted application has many parts and takes time to develop thoroughly. Academics and extracurricular involvement are the foundation of all applications, and B.S.-M.D. programs are no exception.
For many students, this means beginning to take advanced-level math and science courses as early as eighth or ninth grade, engaging in meaningful volunteer opportunities, shadowing physicians, completing health care internships and participating in competitive science fairs and rigorous research programs.
B.S.-M.D. programs seek applicants with a continued demonstrated interest in medicine throughout their high school career. Because applicants are evaluated for these direct medical programs as high school seniors, and building a complete and competitive application takes time, it’s critical to begin strategically planning for and engaging in these activities early to maximize opportunities and success.
[Read: What Are Your Chances of Getting Into Med School?]
Achieve Academically
Because of the rigorous nature of medical school and physician careers, it’s vital for prospective B.S.-M.D. students to maintain an exceptional academic record and continued enrollment in challenging coursework, including senior year. The most successful applicants to B.S.-M.D. programs have unweighted GPAs of 3.8 or higher and standardized test scores of at least 1500 on the SAT or 34 on the ACT.
There’s a strong desire for students to have completed Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate coursework, particularly in biology, chemistry, physics, calculus and statistics. While completing these courses, students should build strong relationships with instructors, who often provide valuable letters of recommendation required for direct admission programs.
Direct medical programs seek students who have shown the dedication and discipline needed to excel in demanding coursework, as this helps to ensure that future doctors will be highly skilled in treating a broad range of diagnoses and populations while handling the complex landscape of medical practice.
Write Compelling Essays
Think of your personal statement as your first impression; the initial opportunity that you will have to tell admissions committees who you are, why you’re passionate about a career in medicine and what steps you have taken to show your commitment to and ability to succeed in a direct medical program.
Rather than a list of accomplishments or repetition of your resume, focus on genuine experiences and core stories that have influenced your decision to pursue medicine. Did you witness a particularly meaningful patient-doctor interaction? Care for a sick family member? Earn your EMT or certified medical assistant license and want to expand your scope of practice? These are the experiences you want to share with admissions committees.
As interest in these programs grows rapidly and applicants present strong profiles, your personal statement and secondary essays are prime opportunities to display your authentic self. This is your chance to showcase what your value add is to an incoming cohort, further helping to secure interviews and potential program acceptances.
[Read: How to Use AMCAS to Apply to Medical School.]
Develop an Effective Application Strategy
With fewer than 70 B.S.-M.D. programs across the U.S., and several thousand students vying for seats each cycle, it’s imperative to know and meet the unique requirements of each program, understand their overall focus areas and develop a strategic plan tailoring your applications to institutions where you may have the greatest chances of admission.
Many students desire to “get into any program,” but med school admissions committees are also looking for students who align with their mission, vision and values. Spend the time needed to thoroughly research each program you are considering and tailor your application materials to demonstrate your fit.
Moreover, ensure that you apply to a balanced list of programs, including reach programs with single-digit acceptance rates, and more accessible programs. Once you have applied to your programs, maintain a tracking mechanism to ensure that no steps are missed that could hinder your potential for program admission.
[Read: Why It’s Hard to Get Into Medical School Despite Doctor Shortages.]
Know Your Interview Types and Prepare
Once you have submitted your applications, it’s time to start thinking ahead about interviews. Most B.S.-M.D. programs conduct interviews, either virtually or in person, to evaluate candidate characteristics relevant to the medical field.
Depending on the school and program, there are three common types of interviews: one-on-one, panel and multiple mini interviews. Because of the competitive nature of programs and the strong profiles of those selected for interviews, it’s vital to prepare for what can sometimes be the deciding factor on your admission status.
Practicing with a trusted mentor by communicating answers to common questions as well as clearly sharing your personal experiences will help build your confidence and ensure a solid impression during this critical stage of the process.
While applying to B.S.-M.D. programs is tough and the competition remains high, with the right preparation through each step of the process, ambitious high school students may receive an acceptance that puts them one step closer to realizing their dream of becoming skilled and compassionate physicians.
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5 Tips for Applying to B.S.-M.D. Programs originally appeared on usnews.com
