BS/MD Programs

When enrolling in college, you may find yourself looking into BS/MD programs, especially if you have the intent of becoming a doctor in the future. When people think of doctors, the first thought is, “I would never want to spend that much time in school!” Becoming a doctor through a traditional college is a lot of work.

First you will need to obtain your bachelor’s degree both with excellent grades and in a field that directly corresponds with the type of doctor that you wish to be. This process could take anywhere from four to seven years, depending on the way you structure your courses.

Next, you will need to apply and be accepted to medical school. There are many of these options available, and many of the requirements are different between schools. It is a good idea to look into the schools that you are interested in, well before application time. With preparing early, you will have a better chance of reaching the school’s requirements. After you have been admitted, you will then spend the next four to seven years mastering your craft. So after everything is said and done, you are looking at a minimum of eight years devoted to your education. If you don’t plan efficiently or have some problems with some of your classes you may even be looking at fourteen years!

This long time frame has caused many students to begin looking for other options and may cause you to look into BS/MD programs. These programs are ways that you can rapidly obtain both your BS and your MD degree at the same time. These programs are usually chosen by high school students who have a strong desire to become a doctor and can help them receive their MD degree in as little as seven or eight years. So, what do you need to know about these programs and are there any easy options available?

First, you should realize that these programs are extremely selective and the course work is incredibly intense. Although many of these programs do not require you to take the MCAT, they do have requirements on grade point average as well as ACT and SAT scores. Typical programs require a minimum 3.5 GPA along with an ACT score of 30 or better and an SAT score of 1300 or better. Requirements vary depending on the program, so you will need to look into the specific requirements of the program that you are considering.

As far as being an easier way to earn your MD degree, BS/MD programs are certified in much the same way as a traditional MD degree is. The difference is these programs combine your undergraduate degree with courses that you will need to obtain your MD degree. You can also expect a much larger work load with these programs since the information is provided in such a short amount of time.

If you are a student who wishes to receive the full “college-life” experience, a BS/MD program may not be for you. These programs are intended for those whose only focus is on school. While an average semester class schedule at a traditional college usually falls in the 12-15 range for course study hours, with a BS/MD program you are looking more at 14-19 hours every semester. This workload does not allow much time for socialization or extra-curricular activities.

These programs may also be difficult to locate when you are looking into them. As before mentioned they are usually selective and offer limited spacing. Below are some schools that offer these programs:

University of Alabama
University of California San Diego
University of Colorado Denver
Howard University
George Washington University
University of Miami
Boston University
And many others

Although these programs can help you receive your MD degree rather quickly, the majority of doctors today have received their degrees through a traditional medical school program. Whether this is due to the course load, entry requirements or the lack of a college experience, is hard to say.

When considering these programs, it is important to understand what a typical student can expect. In order to qualify for these programs, you will want to plan ahead and make the best grades possible while in high school. Be sure to study hard and make excellent scores on both your ACT and SAT in order to qualify.

Some programs require that applicants be in the top 5% of your graduating class, so this is another item that you need to watch for. By earning your BS/MD degrees through one of these programs, you will have the ability to fast track your career to being a doctor. However, it is important to understand that these programs are not easy.

Like any form of education participating in a BS/MD program requires hard work and dedication. You should be prepared for many hours spent studying and mastering your trade. Be sure to study your options carefully before choosing a BS/MD Program and plan carefully to make the best use of your time.

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