Is a BS/MD program right for you?
By: College Boss
Tags: University, High School, Medicine, College, Medical School

As a pre-med student, this is likely a question you’ve asked yourself when thinking about your college career. In fact, BS/MD programs are not the best fit for all pre-med students and requires serious consideration before applying.

The main reasoning generally touted to budding pre-meds is the assurance provided by a BS/MD program. As implied in the name, these programs ensure full acceptance into the college’s medical school as an incoming undergraduate (albeit with certain requirements to maintain during the undergraduate portion of study). This argument is enough to convince many applicants to dedicate themselves wholly to these programs. However, at College Boss, we believe in the journey taken to becoming a doctor rather than the ultimate goal of getting an MD. Here are certain key points, often dismissed, that we believe you should consider when thinking about BS/MD programs.

→ Pre-medical school or pre-medical field?

Students often gather these terms under the same general umbrella of ‘pre-med’. One thing that becomes apparent as soon as you enter college is the number of students shifting in and out of this pre-med label. The reason is not a lack of understanding of the commitment required to become a doctor but rather a lack of understanding of the diversity of jobs in the medical field. To work in the healthcare industry, to work in research or even to work with patients, one does not necessarily require an MD. As such, many students misappropriate their desire to work in healthcare with a desire to get an MD; this then shows in students’ BS/MD applications. One thing that needs to be highlighted in BS/MD applications is why they want to specifically become doctors and not simply be a part of the healthcare industry. A common question in UK medical school interviews is ‘why not be a nurse?’. This question is highly applicable to all students considering a career as a doctor and is particularly challenging no matter an applicant’s dedication to becoming a doctor. Medicine is such a diverse field and BS/MD applicants are expected to understand why they are choosing to become a doctor when they can find other fulfilling careers with patients in the healthcare industry.

→ What kind of doctor do you want to be?

No one expects BS/MD applicants to know exactly what specialty they want to pursue, but the idea here, is to stress the importance of understanding that our training as medics is a journey and not a race. BS/MD programs can be extremely fulfilling, but this is dependent on accepted students making the most of their time in these programs. Therefore, one important aspect of student’s applications is to show diversity of thought and study. BS/MD programs are set up to allow students to explore a variety of passions that do not directly tie in to ‘doctor skills’ but will shape the way students approach the field of medicine. It is essential that this comes across in BS/MD applications such that, the person reviewing the application, can get a good picture of how an applicant plans to explore their different interests and how they plan to combine these avenues to become the best version of themselves. BS/MD applicants are not expected to have an extremely advanced understanding of medicine and be the smartest students in the world but instead, BS/MD applicants should focus on showcasing their understanding of what it takes to be a doctor and how they plan to grow as part of these unique programs.

→ Where do you want to be as a young adult?

One important aspect to note is that BS/MD programs tend to be around 7–8 years in length and, if the program provides flexibility with study abroad/gap years, potentially longer than 8 years. Even though you may not be in the exact same location for the duration of the program, BS/MD applicants need to be aware that they would be committing a large part of their future to the same general area. As such, it is important to understand that, if you are looking to travel and diversify your experiences by living in different states, or even different countries, BS/MD programs tend to be a bit more restrictive in the sense that you are living in the same area until you obtain your MD. However, this should not take away from opportunities provided by BS/MD programs and, applicants should note, BS/MD programs tend to offer significant gap year support between the undergraduate and medical school portions of the program.