Combined BS/MD Admissions Counseling
Gaining acceptance into a combined BS/MD program is often harder than gaining acceptance to an Ivy League university. Because the number of seats for BS/MD candidates is so limited, BS/MD programs require close to perfect grades and test scores, in addition to research, clinical and volunteer experiences. But the rewards of gaining acceptance are high – having a less stressful premedical experience in college, not having to take the MCAT and having a guaranteed spot in medical school.
To be a successful BS/MD candidate, applicants must become informed early on in their high school careers and pursue the right activities before it is too late. Our consultants, who are current medical school students who are the most qualified people to advise BS/MD applicants on what medical schools look for, work one-on-one with applicants to maximize their chances.
Research Experience
Successful BS/MD applicants have extensive research experience with a professor, often leading to publication and national awards such as Siemens or Intel. The research one conducts does not have to be medically-related. At Bentham Admissions, our consultants work with applicants to line up research opportunities with professors.
Recognizing that scientists are not usually the best at communicating what they have done on paper to a lay audience, our consultants also work closely with applicants to communicate their scientific and research endeavors to admissions committees in a clear and succinct manner. Lastly, our consultants work with applicants to tie their research experience into their motivations for pursuing a career in medicine.
Clinical and Volunteer Experiences
BS/MD programs require both clinical and volunteer experiences. Clinical experience can encompass anything from volunteering in the emergency room at a hospital to shadowing a doctor in a rural community during appointments with patients. Volunteer experience should be medically related in nature, and can range widely from playing a musical instrument for terminally ill patients at a hospital to volunteering at a medical clinic for the homeless.
At Bentham Admissions, our consultants coach students on the most unique way to pursue their clinical and volunteer experiences in order to stand out from the crowd. Our consultants also advise applicants on how to weave their clinical and volunteer experiences into a compelling narrative for why they want to a pursue a career in medicine.
Why Medicine?
Location: Cambridge Massachusetts
Year Founded: 1636
US News Ranking: 2
Application Deadline: January 1st
Must receive SAT/ACT scores by: March 6th
2016 regular decision acceptance rate: 4.2%
Total applications received (2016): 34,285
BS/MD admissions committees want to know why you want to pursue a career in medicine. Anyone can state that they want to enter medicine to help people, but in reality, the answer to this crucial question must be much more nuanced. The answer must incorporate one’s research, clinical, volunteer and personal experiences into a compelling narrative for wanting to pursue a career in medicine.
At Bentham Admissions, because our BS/MD consultants are medical school students who have had to answer all these questions to be admitted to medical school, our consultants can help BS/MD applicants to answer the Why Medicine question in a compelling manner.
The Interview
The interview for BS/MD programs carries tremendous weight, and can make or break an otherwise qualified applicant. It’s not enough to simply be stellar on paper – one must come to life during the interview.
At Bentham Admissions, our consultants, many of whom have themselves interviewed and evaluated medical school applicants, will prepare you for the BS/MD interview and how to present yourself in the best light possible.
Fit with Undergraduate Institution
If all of the above was not enough, BS/MD applicants must also show fit with the undergraduate institution they are applying to. For instance, Brown’s Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) looks for students with not only compelling reasons for going into medicine, but for students who seek academic freedom through Brown’s open curriculum. A successful PLME applicant must show fit with this important mission in addition to an interest in medicine.
At Bentham Admissions, our consultants work with BS/MD applicants to tailor their application to what each undergraduate institution looks for.