Demystifying the BA/MD Program for Your High School Student

Introduction

A BA/MD program is a combined course, which enables students to gain both a Bachelor’s Degree (BA) and a Medical Doctor (MD) qualification. If you plan to apply for a BA/MD program, you can submit an application during your senior years at high school. If you are successful, you’ll be accepted by both your chosen college and medical school. One of the main advantages of a BA/MD qualification is that it takes less time than doing both degrees separately. 

In this detailed guide, we’ll aim to demystify the BA/MD program, providing key information to help high school students understand what the course involves, how the application process works and how it can benefit them in terms of career prospects and other advantages over alternative qualifications and programs. 

1. Benefits of a BA/MD Program

There are several benefits to choosing a BA/MD program. Key advantages include:

• Timeline: One of the main benefits of doing a BA/MD program rather than separate bachelor’s and medical degrees is the relatively short timeline. Doing a combined course takes less time than doing two distinctive programs. The exact timeframe will vary according to the course and institutions you choose. Typically, a BA/MD takes 6-8 years. 
• Variety: Many people choose to do a BA/MD because it provides greater flexibility and variety in terms of learning materials, experiences and curricula. The BA/MD combines elements of a BA and an MD program, offering individuals the opportunity to develop a diverse range of skills and explore a wider range of interests and passions than standard BA or MD programs. 
• Early introduction to medicine: BA/MD students gain early access to elements of the MD course, including theoretical and clinical studies, which enable them to hone their skills and develop their understanding from the outset. Early access to training, research and clinical practices can help students gain an advantage over others. 
• Avoiding conventional medical school application processes: The application process for medical schools is notoriously rigorous with fierce competition for places. While data suggests that overall acceptance rates are around 40%, some schools accept less than 5% of applicants. New York University- Long Island, for example, accepted just 1.2% of applicants in 2024. The BA/MD program offers a different route to medical school. 

2. Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for a BA/MD program vary according to the institution. Typically, students have high or very high GPA and SAT/ACT scores, particularly when applying for the most competitive courses. In the case of the BA/MD program at George Washington University, only 10 places are available and, as such, candidates are expected to have scores at or above the 90th centile. 

Here is a general guide to admission requirements:

• GPA: Some institutions specify a minimum GPA of 3.5 but the majority of applicants have a score closer to 4.0
• SAT: Scores of 1500 or above. The average score across all test takers in 2023 was 1028.
• ACT: Scores of 34 or above. The current average score across all test takers is 19.5 according to The Princeton Review.

Applicants may also need to show evidence of research, clinical learning and experience, and community service. You can find out more about admission requirements for a BA/MD program by visiting institution websites and reading detailed course information. 

3. Curriculum Overview

The curriculum for a BA/MD program combines undergraduate BA and medical studies. The exact framework and course content vary depending on the program and providers you choose, but you should find that your curriculum is diverse and far-reaching. An example program at the University of New Mexico offers three choices, including:

1. A&S (Arts & Sciences) Major
2. HMHV (Health, Medicine & Human Values) Major, HHS (Health & Human Sciences) Concentration
3. HMHV Major, BMS (Biomedical Science) Concentration

Depending on the length of the course, students will complete a set period of study at undergraduate school and medical school. Using New Jersey Medical School as an example, students complete three years at undergraduate school and four years at medical school.

If you’re interested in a BA/MD program, it’s beneficial to research courses and gather information about curricula before you decide where to apply. The course details will give you information about the routes you can take and the available majors and concentrations. 

4. Career Opportunities

A BA/MD qualification provides access to a diverse range of career opportunities that focus on or combine elements of both parts of the course. Data from the AMA suggests accelerated graduates perform as well as those who undertake traditional medical programs, paving the way for successful careers in medicine as well as other fields, ranging from pharmaceuticals and research to marketing, sales, health education and forensic science. 

Sectors BA/MD graduates may consider include:

• Medicine and healthcare: Clinical roles
• Healthcare: Managerial roles
• Medicine: Research roles
• Academia
• Pharmaceuticals: Research, sales, marketing and education
• Education, training and mentorship
• Biomedical science: Research, innovation and teaching
• Public health
• Community healthcare and education roles
• Working for non-profit organizations and public health campaigns
• Social care
• Health journalism
• Scientific writing

5. Program Duration

The BA/MD program usually lasts 8 years, but there are shorter courses, which last 6 or 7 years. The duration of the course impacts how long you spend studying in each area of the program. If you apply for an 8-year course, you will usually spend four years at your chosen college completing undergraduate studies and four years doing your MD. Eight-year courses are much more widely available than 6 and 7-year programs. 

6. Internship Opportunities

Internships provide valuable opportunities for students to learn, expand their skill set, gain practical experience and get used to different environments outside of classrooms and clinical training facilities. Some colleges and institutions offer internships for undergraduates pursuing the BA/MD program and candidates who are still in high school who are interested in doing a BA/MD program. 

Gaining experience can strengthen your application and help you decide whether a BA/MD is the right choice for you. It also enables you to access real-world experience, which is incredibly valuable for both professional and personal development. In addition to researching internships provided by colleges, it’s also beneficial to look for opportunities within industries that interest you. If you’re thinking about going into drug development or research, for example, you could explore internships at pharmaceutical companies. 

The Internet is a valuable resource for students and prospective students looking for internships. You may also be able to access information via your high school careers department or college tutors depending on whether you’ve started the program or are still working on your application. 

7. Application Process

Understanding the application process can make finding the right BA/MD program and submitting your application easier and less stressful. Before you think about requesting forms or filling in details, it’s wise to consult course guidelines and college and medical school websites to make sure you know exactly what is required, find out more about deadlines and ensure you’re well prepared.

How to apply for a BA/MD

In some cases, there is a two-step application process, which involves applying to the college campus before applying for the BA/MD program. The steps are as follows:

• Check the individual course and college requirements and find out which documents you need to include and when to apply
• Apply to the college campus (if applicable)
• Apply for the BA/MD program: You may need to include a personal statement with your application
• Submit high school transcripts
• Submit official test scores
• Check additional requirements: You may be asked to write an essay explaining why you want a place on the course and/or provide letters of recommendation
• Make sure your application is complete, check every element and submit it before the specified deadline

If you have any questions about the application process or you need advice before sending your application, don’t hesitate to contact the relevant college or medical school, ask for guidance from your high school teachers or mentors or search for information from reputable sources online. Always take the time to double-check your application form, personal statement and any accompanying documents before submitting. 

Deadlines vary by institution, but most colleges open applications in the summer. The deadline is usually in November. Successful candidates will then be contacted for interviews with places offered in the early spring. 

8. Alumni Success Stories

The BA/MD offers an alternative to conventional BA and MD studies, offering students opportunities to combine interests and enjoy a more diverse range of studies and learning and training experiences while shortening the time it takes to qualify. 

These testimonials are excellent examples of alumni success stories :

“I have always enjoyed learning about the life sciences and my passion in life is to improve the quality of other people’s lives; so I knew at a young age that medicine was the perfect fit for me. The BA/BS-MD Program has helped me fuel that passion by granting me clinical opportunities that have taught me more than my classes have. Other impactful opportunities include research and seminars on the medical campus to learn about various relevant topics, such as health insurance. I was not prepared for college because my rural high school did not offer many science classes, but with the support of the program, through its directors and tutors, I was able to excel academically. A lot of my college career that shaped me into the open-minded, tender-hearted, and diverse future physician I aspire to be is due to the program’s encouragement, opportunities, and dedication to each student's success.” Taken from https://clas.ucdenver.edu/health-professions-programs/babs-md-program-information#program_information-69. 

“The GW Seven-Year BA/MD Program has enriched my undergraduate experience tremendously. Though only a select few of the pre-medical community at GW is in Seven-Year, students in the program have stuck together to form a tight-knit community of endless love, support, and guidance. Nearly every individual in the program will make a life-long friendship from their time pursuing an undergraduate and medical education at GW. Seven-Year provides you with a new sense of family, combining all our individual interests into one eccentric, diverse group of individuals who are all equally minded about medicine. Professionally speaking, GW offers unique opportunities that are unalike any other BA/BS-MD degree program. Foggy Bottom is in the heart of D.C., granting students access to George Washington University Hospital, Children’s National Health System, the Washington DC VA Medical Center, and many other healthcare centers that further expand the breadth of exceptional preparedness a GW student will have on their path to medicine.” Taken from https://www.theperfectmed.com/blog/2022/02/22/everything-you-need-to-know-about-george-washington-universitys-7-year-ba-md-program. 

Conclusion

The BA/MD is an expansive program, which involves studying at undergraduate college and medical school. There are several benefits to this program, but it’s tough to get onto the most competitive courses. Applicants need to excel in tests and show that they are committed to the program through community service, research or experience and training. 

If you’re considering a BA/MD, it’s beneficial to research programs, learn more about the different institutions that offer the course and entry requirements, and explore overviews of the curriculum. It’s important to understand the application process, check deadlines and gather as much information about different colleges and medical schools as possible before you decide where to apply.