With another admission cycle wrapped up for direct medical programs, students who are gearing up for the next cycle will see significant changes. BS/MD programs, also known as direct-entry medical programs, are a popular option for students interested in pursuing medical careers. These highly competitive programs offer conditional medical school acceptance to undergraduate students. Here are five trends to pay attention to that the BS/MD counselors at Moon Prep have noticed from the latest admission cycle.
1. A return to in-person interviews
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many BS/MD programs switched to online-only interviews. In each application cycle since then, more programs have reverted to pre-COVID standards, with many requiring students to attend in-person interviews to be considered for the program. Nova Southeastern University and New Jersey Institute of Technology are two examples of programs requiring in-person interviews again. In the future, you can likely expect this trend to continue, with more programs requiring students to come to campus for interviews.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About College Admission Interviews
2. Interview style shifts
For BS/MD programs, there are typically two interview types that students will encounter: a traditional format and the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI). The MMI requires students to display their problem-solving skills as they respond to ethical dilemmas and scenarios. It isn’t a particularly common format, but a few programs like the ones at Drexel University, Union College, and Virginia Commonwealth University currently utilize the MMI. This past cycle, Hofstra University’s 4+4 Program: BS-BA/MD joined their ranks and began to use this interview format as well.
3. Program cancellations
Unfortunately, the last few years have seen the cancellation of quite a few traditional and direct-entry programs, including notable BS/MD programs at Rice University and Boston University. This year is no different, with more programs at schools like the University of Central Florida and Albion College ceasing operations. Most notably, SUNY Upstate Medical University ended all its partnerships with the following universities:
- Adelphi University
- Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Hampton University
- Purchase College
- Rochester Institute of Technology
- Spelman College
- SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- SUNY Polytechnic Institute
- Syracuse University
- University at Albany
- Yeshiva University
Related: The Fast Track to Medicine: 6-Year Direct-Entry Medical Programs
4. New programs accepting applications
Luckily, it isn’t all bad news for BS/MD programs, as a few new programs launched this past application cycle. Nova Southeastern, which already had a BS/DO program, started accepting applicants for its new BS/MD program this past season. Currently, this program is highly selective and only accepts five students per admission cycle; to qualify, students must have a 35 on the ACT or 1540 on the SAT.
Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis began accepting BS/MD students this year, giving spots to those who maintain a 3.5 GPA in college and earn an MCAT score equal to the average of that year’s entering medical school class matriculating into Indiana University School of Medicine. Elmira College also partnered with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and began accepting applications this year. This accelerated program allows students to graduate from medical school after just six years and is one of the few programs offering this fast path to a medical career.
5. An increased number of applicants
BS/MD programs continue to get more competitive each year. In the 2022–2023 application cycle, the Program in Liberal Medicine (PLME) at Brown University had over 4,000 applications compared to roughly 2,400–3,500 applicants in years prior—with only around 50 students matriculating each year! As the landscape becomes more competitive, students are trying to increase their chances of getting accepted by applying to more direct medical programs, including branching out to BS/DO programs and even BS/DMD (direct dental) programs. This past cycle, it wasn’t uncommon for Moon Prep to see students with application lists exceeding 25 schools, with 15 or more direct medical programs in addition to traditional programs.
Related: How to Be a Competitive College Applicant
The direct medical program admission landscape changes every year, with new programs opening and some beloved programs ending. Requirements and deadlines might change, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on application information. However, paying attention to trends can also allow you to fully prepare yourself for a successful BS/MD application cycle.
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