If you got into the BSMD this year, please share what helped you to get in to the program. I am a freshman at high school, aiming for BSMD (Asian), so competition will be high for me. what should I do in summer?
You need to be the best version of yourself that you can be. The programs are so competitive that there’s no sense sacrificing your HS years in pursuit of something which at the end could be a coin toss.
Do the things that interest you. Contribute to your community. Take classes you are interested in. The vast majority of physicians in America did a traditional path-- four years of college, then med school, etc. You can too!
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Listen to @blossom. These programs are more competitive than admissions to elite colleges.
You should also have a plan to apply to other colleges where you can pursue a regular medical school application route.
And you also need a Plan B for something other than doctor, in case medical school does not work out.
At this point, be the best you can be. But do add some volunteer work with underprivileged populations, some shadowing (including primary care). Check your state guidelines and see when you can get CNA or EMT certification. Age varies by state.
You will need top grades, LOR and the above.
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Thanks! I will make sure to apply to the pre- med colleges; however I want to see if I am good for it or not. If you happen to know the stats for this, please share.
Admission is about more than stats.
You need to demonstrate you understand what a physician does by shadowing several physicians (including a primary care physician.) Asking your pediatrician or family medicine doctor if you can shadow is good place to start.
You also meed ro demonstrate that you have a service orientation/empathy/compassion for others by volunteering with disadvantaged/disparaged individuals and/or groups. You need face-to-face volunteering, not fund raising or office work.
Leadership is another quality that BA/MD programs consider and value highly. Not necessarily being elected as a club officer, but something you can point to where you got others to work with and for you to achieve a goal.
Lastly, if you can find a volunteering opportunity where you can work directly with patients–that would be a huge plus. If your state allows it, consider earning your CNA certificate once you turn 16 and working at a nursing home, hospital or hospice
As far as stats–you need to show that you have challenged yourself academically by taking the hardest science classes offered by your school and doing well in those.
There is no magic GPA or magic SAT score that will guarantee you a BS/MD slot. It’s a combination of academics and activities and how well you “fit” with a particular program.
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I recently committed to the Albany bsmd program. In my opinion it’s all about strategy. Volunteering, shadowing, and good test grades are just the beginning. Think about why you really want to do medicine and align your extracurriculars with that.
posted edited by moderator to comply with forum rules