This three-part series of articles explores one field of study that has caught the attention of thousands of students across the globe: medicine. Contrary to popular belief, there are several routes that you can take as you make the move through medical school. As the competition for acceptance into medical schools continues to stiffen, it’s imperative that you understand the differences between each route so that you can carve your own educational path. Thus, each article in this series will discuss some of the most common ways to study medicine, as well as the ups and downs that come with each. 

To start off, let’s take a look at BS/MD and BA/MD programs, which allow a student to get a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree before entering a medical program to become a Doctor of Medicine (MD). Both programs last eight years in total, consisting of college for four years and medical school for another four years.

What are the pros of these programs?

No matter which of the two programs spark your curiosity, there are a boatload of benefits that will come with choosing either path. Here are just a few of these promising perks: 

• Fewer Applications: Upon finishing your undergraduate studies, you can enter medical school without having to do any added applications. This means that the only major applications you will have to do will be at the end of high school or, in some cases, at the very beginning of college through an Early Assurance Program. 
• More Financial Aid: Combined medical programs are highly competitive and select students based on their talents and/or intellect. For this reason, if you are accepted into a combined medical program, you will have a higher likelihood of receiving financial aid. College administrators don’t want there to be anything – including financial hardships – to prevent you from attending their school. 
• More Focus: By doing a combined medical program, you will be able to focus your time and energy into your academics and career path. Rather than spending hours upon hours researching and visiting other colleges for medical school, you’ll have the security of knowing that you already have a medical school at which you have been accepted. Just keep in mind that many universities that offer a combined medical program may still require you to take the MCAT and maintain a certain GPA, so slacking off is also not in your favor. 

The pros look great! But what about the cons?

Here are the major drawbacks to a combined medical program:

• Only One College (Usually): Some universities, such as Boston University, require participants in the BA/MD or BS/MD programs to earn their undergraduate degree and study medicine at the same school. This means that you must commit to going to one college for a long period of time. So, if you’re interested in traveling or attending many different schools, this path may not be best for you. However, many schools such as those in the University of Texas or Eastern Virginia systems allow students to attend multiple colleges in that system. For instance, you may have the option of going to both UT Austin and UT Southwestern rather than just one or the other. This website showcases the top twenty-five combined BS/MD programs, and this website has a comprehensive list of all the BA/MD and BS/MD programs in the United States. 
• More Commitment: As a high school junior or senior, you may not know exactly what you want to be when you grow up. A combined medical program will require you to have one (and only one!) goal in mind, and you will need to be dedicated to achieving that goal throughout the course of your college education. Although dropping out of the program is an option, you will be at a disadvantage if you ever change your mind and choose to reapply. 
• Less Flexibility: Because combined medical programs only last around eight years, you will spend most of your time doing rigorous coursework and learning new material. Consequently, you may not have the opportunity to study abroad, do an internship, or explore other careers beyond the world of medicine.

Is there any way for me to complete medical school in less than eight years?

Yes! Several universities offer accelerated BS/MD and BA/MD combined programs that last between six and seven years. Keep in mind that the undergraduate portion of the accelerated program, in lieu of the medical program, is shortened. Although most of the pros and cons of these programs are the same as those for the non-accelerated programs, there are a few additional perks and pitfalls to keep in mind when figuring out whether an accelerated path is right for you.

So…now that I know about these programs, what should I do?

For starters, do your research. Look into schools that offer these programs and visit them if possible to learn more information and to get an idea of the campus life. In addition, spend time shadowing a doctor or physician in order to get more experience in your field of interest. And, of course, continue working hard in high school to achieve your academic goals. After all, your acceptance into a BS/MD or BA/MD program all depends on your performance in high school, so make the most of it!

Ratnakar Poduri

Ratnakar Poduri, CEO and Co-Founder of Brilliant Education Group, is a teacher, author, and engineer with a mission to help students advance their lives through education. By using a comprehensive approach that goes far beyond that of traditional test prep programs, Poduri has personally prepared over 1700 students for their SATs and ACTs. When he’s not geeking out, he likes to spend time with his two beautiful daughters, watch sports, and solve crosswords.