This is the second part of our 3-part series. See Part I for an overview of baccalaureate/MD programs. This blog post provides case studies of several programs. Watch out for Part III, in we share our knowledge and experience regarding the characteristics of a successful baccalaureate/MD candidate.
To give you a sense of the range of what these Baccalaureate/MD programs entail, here is a breakdown of three very different programs’ characteristics and requirements. Note that the Union College Leadership in Medicine Program with Albany Medical College is unique in that it’s the only Baccalaureate/MD program in the country in which students earn a Master’s degree in healthcare management in addition to a BS degree during the first four years. In total, three different institutions are involved in this program: Union College for the BS, Clarkson University for the MS or MBA, and Albany Medical College for the MD. (Program requirements may change, so check school websites to confirm details.)
| Brown University’s Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) | George Washington University’s Seven-Year Dual BA/MD Program | Union College Leadership in Medicine Program | |
| Number of years | 8 years (4 + 4) | 7 years (3 + 4) | 8 years (4 + 4) |
| Number of institutions | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Baccalaureate degree | AB or ScB (Brown’s terms for BA and BS degrees) | BA | BS |
| Graduate degrees | MD | MD | MD and either MS/MBA |
| Application plan options | Early Decision and Regular Decision | Regular Decision | Regular Decision with November 1 application deadline |
| SAT/ACT requirement to apply | Test-optional | Required; no set minimum, but GW suggests the ACT score fall above 33 and the SAT above 1450 | Required; the minimum ACT score is 30; the minimum SAT score is above l410 |
| Course requirements to apply | Honors or advanced placement offerings available to them in high school are encouraged | No specific courses are required, but applicants should present a strong transcript, especially in math/science courses | Courses in biology and chemistry, and preferably physics |
| Interview requirements | Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a video portfolio | Interviews are conducted in February | Promising applicants are interviewed in January through March of senior year |
| Recommendation letter requirements | Three: counselor & 2 teachers; at least one letter from a math or science teacher is encouraged but not required) | Two: counselor & teacher | Two: counselor & teacher |
| Essay requirements | The Brown Supplement includes three required essays for PLME applicants | A small percentage of qualified applicants are selected to complete a second essay about their motivations for medicine and their interest in GW | Standard Common Application essays which students may use to address their interests in medicine & healthcare systems, and/or their clinical experience, but are not required to do so |
| MCAT requirement to advance to MD | Not required | Students must provide a practice exam score from an online MCAT review | Not required |
| Minimum undergraduate GPA to advance to MD | Brown does not calculate a GPA but the overall transcript will be examined, and students must earn a B or above in required courses | 3.6, with no grade below a C in any science course | 3.5 overall GPA; 3.5 science GPA (cumulative, not in every individual semester) |
| Undergraduate major | Any | Any, but students
must apply to and attend GW’s Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, and must choose a major that allows them to complete their undergraduate degree in three years |
Interdisciplinary major: students choose one science/math major (most commonly biology) and one social science/humanities major (most commonly psychology) |
| Undergraduate course requirements | Required classes parallel premed courses | Required premed courses (including bio, chem, physics, psychology, sociology, & calculus) | A minimum of 16 or 17 Math/Science courses; 15 Humanities/Social Sciences courses; and 10 additional graduate courses for the MS or 14 graduate courses for the MBA |
For guidance on navigating the complexities of your college or medical school application process, feel free to contact us. As always, at Collegiate Gateway, we’re happy to help!
