Pre-Med and Accelerated Med Programs

One of the most common programs of interest for HHS students is medical studies.

Medical Minds Club Presentation - Mrs. Thomson and Miraj Vakil, Medical Minds Co-President, '22

The traditional route to medical school involves completing four years as an undergraduate, and then four+ years in medical school.

Students can select from their choice of undergraduate majors, and participate in the pre-health advising at their university of choice. Majoring in a science field is not required; majoring in a liberal arts field is widely accepted. Students need to complete the required pre-medical courses, and have a stellar GPA, strong MCAT scores, and outstanding extracurriculars to be competitive for medical school.

Check out these stats from the Rutgers Health Professions Office to get a better idea of who gets in, and who doesn't. 

Some universities offer combined Bachelor's + MD/DO options. While the standard is an 8-year program (4+4), some schools offer a 7 year program (3+4).

Of these programs, some require that students apply in their senior year of high school, while others only take applications from current college sophomores.

Combined medical programs are highly selective by nature. Accepted students are typically near the top of their graduating class, with a full complement of Honors/AP courses. Students generally must also meet a minimum SAT/ACT score, though it is common for successful applicants to have a score that far surpasses the minimum. Successful applicants typically have an extensive resume including healthcare experience, volunteer experience, research experience, and additional extracurricular activities.

In addition, we've found that successful applicants are highly organized, and ahead of the process. The deadline dates for most programs are November - students must be prepared to complete their admission application earlier, so that they can also complete a more comprehensive program application. Additional letters of recommendation may be required.

Students are responsible for knowing the requirements for their schools, and conveying that information to their counselors and recommenders as necessary. Students should look carefully to see if additional transcripts and letters must be sent directly to the program, or if use of a separate portal is required.

Combined Programs - Resources

Dr. Rubin's Mini Medical School

The AAMC offers an excellent list of programs. Use the filters on the left to sort programs with a BS/MD program. Click on each offering to find affiliated colleges.

The PerfectMed list of combined programs

Med School Coach - Blog for Pre-Med and BS/MD Applicants

Popular Programs

Case Western Pre-Professional Scholars Program

4+4 program

Typical Deadline: December 1

Must submit Common or Coalition App

Drexel University BA/BS + MD Early Assurance Program

4 + 4 program

Typical Deadline: November 1 for both applications and supplemental materials

Must first submit admission application, then you'll receive medical program application. Plan to apply by mid-October to ensure you have time to complete the supplemental application

Special requirements: Specific essay, 2 letters: counselor and science teacher

NJIT/NJMS Accelerated Medical Program

3+4 program

Must apply using the Common Application, and apply to the Albert Dorman Honors College

Typical Deadline: November 1 for application and supplemental materials

Special requirements: additional essays for both the Honors College and the accelerated programs

Penn State University - PSU-Jefferson Pre-Medical Medical Program

3+4 program

Typical Deadline: November 1 for all materials

Must submit app to PSU

Special requirements: resume, 1 letter of recommendation, extra essays in application

Rowan University -BS+MD/DO with Cooper Medical School

3+4 program

Must major in: Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Biophysics, or Molecular & Cellular Biology

Typical Deadline: December 1 for all materials

In past years, minimum GPA requirement of 3.5 (4.0 scale) and SAT requirement of 1360 SAT (Math & Critical Reading sections) or 28 ACT composite score 

Rutgers-Newark BA/MD program with NJMS

3+4 program

Typical Deadline: November 1 for all materials and applications

Must submit app to Rutgers: Newark College of Arts & Science, with major: Med Joint BA/MD. Then submit additional program application

Special requirements: Additional 600 word essay, 3 letters of recommendation, transcript

You will need to work closely with your counselor to submit these materials! Your recommenders will need to upload letters directly to their portal.

Seton Hall University - Joint BS/MD program

4+3 program

Admission to med school is not guaranteed. Successful completion of the prerequisites guarantees an interview for med school in year 4 of undergrad.

Typical Deadline: December 15

Minimum unweighted GPA: 3.6

Minimum ACT composite score of 30, or two-part SAT score of 1400 (no less than 650 on Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Mathematics sections) 

Stevens Institute of Technology BS/MD with NJMS

3+4 program

Typical Deadline: November 1 for all materials

Complete Common App or Stevens App

Special requirements: Stevens essay should be on why you want to be a doctor, resume

TCNJ-NJMS BS/MD Program

3+4

Typical Deadline: November 1 (application). December 1 (supporting materials)

Must submit Common App, then will receive link to supplemental application

Temple University - Pre Med Health Scholars

4+4, can further apply to accelerate to 3+4

Typical Deadline: December 11

Must submit app to Temple, then Health Scholars App

Special Requirements: 2 additional letters of recommendation, submitted through the Health Scholars App. One from a science teacher or school counselor, and one from a mentor related to a health-related shadowing or volunteer activity in which the applicant has taken part.

University of Connecticut Special Program in Medicine

Typical Deadline: December 1 , application and all materials

Complete Common Application, or the UCONN Application + supplemental application

Special requirements: program-specific essays, two letters of recommendation, optional resume

University of Pittsburgh - Guaranteed Admission Program

Must apply to Pitt by October 15 and indicate interest in Pre-Med on the application. Will receive a link to complete a supplemental initial program application, which must be submitted by 11/1.

Qualified candidates will be invited to complete a further application process.