Now that the 2023/2024 admissions cycle has wrapped up for direct medical programs, students gearing up for the next admissions cycle will see significant changes. BS/MD programs, also known as direct medical programs, are a popular option for students interested in pursuing a medical career. These programs offer conditional medical school acceptance to students and are highly competitive. Here are seven trends the BS/MD counselors at Moon Prep noticed this cycle.
In-Person Interviews
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many BS/MD programs switched to online only for interviews. In the application cycles since then, more programs have begun to revert to their pre-COVID standards, with many requiring students to attend in-person interviews if they want to be considered for the program. Nova Southeastern University and New Jersey Institute of Technology are two programs requiring in-person interviews. In the future, we can likely expect this trend to continue, with more programs requiring students to come to their campus to interview.
Changes In Interview Styles
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 is an interview format that requires students to display their problem-solving skills as they respond to ethical dilemmas and scenarios. The MMI isn’t a particularly common interview format, with a few programs like the ones at Drexel University, Union College and Virginia Commonwealth University currently utilizing the MMI. However, this past cycle, Hofstra University’s 4+4 Program: BS-BA/MD joined their ranks and began to use the MMI format this year.
Cancellation Of Programs
Unfortunately, the last few years have seen the cancellation of programs, including Rice University and Boston University’s BS/MD programs. This year is no different, with more programs closing their doors. Most notably, Suny Upstate ended all of its partnerships with the following universities:
- Adelphi University
- Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Purchase College
- Rochester Institute of Technology
- SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry
- Hampton University
- Spelman University
- SUNY Polytechnic Institute
- Syracuse University
- University at Albany
- Yeshiva University
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Additionally, the University of Central Florida and Albion College decided to end their BS/MD programs.
New Programs Accepting Applications
Luckily, it wasn’t all bad news for BS/MD programs, as a few new programs opened their doors this past application cycle. Nova Southeastern University, which had already had a BS/DO program, accepted applicants for its new BS/MD program this past cycle. This program only accepts five students; to qualify, students must have a 35 on the ACT or 1540 on the SAT.
Indiana University-Indianapolis also began accepting students this year. Students accepted into the program 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 will matriculate into Indiana University School of Medicine.
Lastly, Elmira College, partnered with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, also 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 of a pathway to a medical career.
Changes To Enrollment Deposit Deadlines
Admittedly, this admission cycle was unusual. The FAFSA underwent significant changes, and instead of opening in October as usual, it opened in December. This delay meant that many students didn’t receive financial aid package information until late in the cycle. Some schools, including BS/MD programs, pushed back their enrollment deposit deadline to May 15 to accommodate this.
However, only some BS/MD programs offered such an extension. Programs like Florida Atlantic University and Mercer University required enrollment deposit by March 15 or April 1, respectively.
Increase Use Of The Waitlist
The waitlist has always been a tool used by traditional undergraduate schools and BS/MD programs alike, but this year, BS/MD programs are putting more students than ever before on the waitlist. Some programs that utilized the waitlist included Tulsa University, University of Connecticut, Albany Medical College partnered programs (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Siena College and Union College), Indiana University - Indianapolis, University of South Carolina and University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Some students did see some movement on the waitlist and were ultimately accepted into the program, but others are still waiting to hear back from schools. An acceptance off the waitlist could come at any time, so while students should commit to another school before May 1, they could still potentially hear back from their waitlist school deep into the summer.
Increased Number Of Applications
Every year, BS/MD programs continue to get more competitive. Brown University’s Program in Liberal Medical Education had 4,192 applications in the 2022-23 application cycle compared to 2,432 in 2019/20. As programs become more competitive, students are trying to increase their chances of getting accepted to a direct medical program by applying to more programs and adding BS/DO programs and even BS/DMD (direct dental) programs to their list. This past cycle, it wasn’t uncommon to see students with college lists exceeding 25 schools, with 15 or more direct medical programs in addition to traditional schools.
Conclusion
The direct medical program landscape changes every year, with new programs opening and some beloved programs closing their doors. Requirements and deadlines might change, so it is important to keep up-to-date information. However, paying attention to the trends allows you to fully prepare yourself for a successful BS/MD application cycle.
