Early Assurance Medical Program:
A BS/MD or BA/MD Program is a program that guarantees a student admission into medical school contingent upon certain criteria, specific to each program. Some combined degree BS/MD or BA/MD programs require that students achieve a certain score on the MCAT (after their second/third year into the program), while others completely waive the MCAT although requiring a certain GPA to be met. Other programs require the MCAT to be taken but do not require any specific score (in other words, they want you to just take the exam but your score does not impact your admission into the affiliated medical school).
The combined degree program provides a Bachelor's Degree (B.S.) and Medical Degree (M.D.) to the student after successful completion of the program's requirements. Another similar program is the BA/MD program, the only difference being that the student receives a Bachelor's in Arts Degree (B.A.) during their undergrad. Each program has various requirements beyond those listed on this website, such as maintaining a certain number of community service or health care related hours.
A BS/MD or BA/MD Program is a program that guarantees a student admission into medical school contingent upon certain criteria, specific to each program. Some combined degree BS/MD or BA/MD programs require that students achieve a certain score on the MCAT (after their second/third year into the program), while others completely waive the MCAT although requiring a certain GPA to be met. Other programs require the MCAT to be taken but do not require any specific score (in other words, they want you to just take the exam but your score does not impact your admission into the affiliated medical school).
The combined degree program provides a Bachelor's Degree (B.S.) and Medical Degree (M.D.) to the student after successful completion of the program's requirements. Another similar program is the BA/MD program, the only difference being that the student receives a Bachelor's in Arts Degree (B.A.) during their undergrad. Each program has various requirements beyond those listed on this website, such as maintaining a certain number of community service or health care related hours.
The early assurance medical programs or direct medical programs have various names and each name may be interpreted differently. The only one that has a slightly different meaning is the phrase accelerated medical program. While traditional paths require 8 years, there are some programs that are 6 or 7 years. These 6 or 7 year med programs are considered "accelerated." Student in this track may need to spend several summers taking additional courses or may need to take 18+ credits per semester in order to complete all the course requirements.
Almost one quarter of US Medical schools offer this combined direct medical program program to well-qualified high school students. Often times, admission into these programs is more competitive than admission into the top universities. With guaranteed admission into medical schools, these programs are different from pre-med programs.
The guaranteed admissions program in medicine is directed toward high school seniors who know they want to become physicians and clearly demonstrate commitment in the healthcare field. Read more on "How to Get in"
