- →Begin clinical exposure: hospital volunteering, shadowing, or scribing. Even a few hours per month is meaningful at this stage.
- →Take the most rigorous science coursework available: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, Honors Physics.
- →Develop genuine extracurricular commitments — depth over breadth. One meaningful commitment is worth more than ten superficial ones.
- →Begin thinking about why you want to be a physician. Not the answer for the application — the real answer.
BS/MD Programs
The BS/MD Application Timeline: What to Do and When
The BS/MD application process is more complex than a standard college application — because you're running two applications simultaneously. Here is what to do, and when, from 9th grade through senior year.
Mario Tomei, MD, MBA, MHA, CHSE
Physician · Former admissions committee member · Medical admissions advisor
1
Why the Timeline Matters
The BS/MD application process is not just a college application with an extra essay. It is a dual-application process — a standard college application running simultaneously with a BS/MD supplemental application — each with its own requirements, deadlines, and strategic considerations.
The students who manage this process well start early, build their profile deliberately, and treat the two applications as a coordinated strategy rather than two separate tasks.
2
The Year-by-Year Timeline
- →Continue and deepen clinical exposure. By the end of 10th grade, you should have a clear sense of what physicians actually do — not just what medicine looks like from the outside.
- →Pursue research if available: university summer programs, science fairs, lab internships. Research is not required, but it is a differentiator at top programs.
- →Continue AP science coursework. Strong performance in AP Chemistry and AP Biology is particularly important.
- →Begin researching BS/MD programs. Understand the landscape — which programs exist, what their requirements are, and which ones align with your interests.
- →Take the PSAT/NMSQT seriously — National Merit recognition is noted by some programs.
- →Begin SAT/ACT preparation. Most competitive BS/MD applicants score 1500+ SAT or 34+ ACT.
- →Identify 10–15 BS/MD programs that align with your profile and interests. Research each program's specific requirements, mission, and culture.
- →Begin drafting your BS/MD essays. The core essay — "Why do you want to be a physician?" — takes time to write well. Start early.
- →Request letters of recommendation from science teachers and your school counselor. Give them time.
- →Visit programs if possible. BS/MD interviews often include a campus visit component.
- →August–September: Finalize college list and BS/MD program list. Complete Common App personal statement. Begin BS/MD supplemental essays.
- →October: Submit Early Decision/Early Action college applications. Submit BS/MD supplemental applications (most are due in November; check each program's deadline).
- →November–December: Complete remaining BS/MD supplemental applications. Prepare for BS/MD interviews.
- →January–March: BS/MD interviews. Most programs conduct interviews January through March.
- →March–April: Decision notifications. Evaluate offers. Commit by May 1.
3
Managing the Dual-Application Process
The most challenging aspect of the BS/MD process is running two applications simultaneously — a standard college application and a BS/MD supplemental application — without letting either one suffer.
Treat them as one coordinated strategy
Your college list and your BS/MD program list should overlap significantly. Most BS/MD programs are housed within specific universities — you're applying to the university and the program simultaneously.
Don't let the BS/MD essays crowd out the college essays
The Common App personal statement and the BS/MD supplemental essays serve different purposes. The personal statement tells your story; the BS/MD essays demonstrate your commitment to medicine. Both require genuine effort.
Build in buffer time
BS/MD supplemental applications often have earlier deadlines than regular college applications. Map out every deadline in August of senior year and build in two weeks of buffer for each.
Have a strong college application regardless
The BS/MD process is highly competitive. The students who manage it best treat their college application as if BS/MD doesn't exist — ensuring they have excellent options regardless of outcome.
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Key Deadlines to Know
- ✓Most BS/MD supplemental applications: November 1–December 1 of senior year
- ✓Common App Early Decision/Early Action: November 1–November 15
- ✓Common App Regular Decision: January 1
- ✓BS/MD interview invitations: December–February
- ✓BS/MD interviews: January–March
- ✓Decision notifications: March–April
- ✓National Decision Day (commit): May 1
Note: Deadlines vary by program. Verify each program's specific deadlines directly.
5
What to Do If You're Starting Late
If you're reading this as a junior or early senior, you are not disqualified — but you need to move quickly and be strategic.
01
Prioritize clinical exposure immediately
If you haven't spent meaningful time in clinical settings, this is the most important thing you can do right now. Even a few weeks of consistent shadowing or volunteering will strengthen your application more than any other single action.
02
Focus your program list
If you're starting late, apply to fewer programs and invest more in each application. A focused list of 8–10 well-researched programs is stronger than a rushed list of 15.
03
Be honest in your essays
Don't try to manufacture experiences you don't have. Write honestly about where you are in your journey and what you've learned from the clinical exposure you do have. Committees respect honesty.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should a student start preparing for BS/MD programs?
Ideally, freshman or sophomore year of high school. Clinical exposure, research, and leadership take time to build. Students who begin junior year are not disqualified, but they are starting late — and they will need to move quickly.
When are BS/MD applications due?
Most BS/MD supplemental applications are due in November or December of senior year, aligned with Early Decision and Early Action college application deadlines. Some programs have their own separate deadlines. Check each program's requirements carefully.
Can a student apply to BS/MD programs and regular college programs at the same time?
Yes — and most students do. The BS/MD supplemental application is submitted in addition to the standard college application. Managing both simultaneously is one of the most challenging aspects of the process.
How many BS/MD programs should a student apply to?
Most advisors recommend applying to 8–15 programs, depending on the student's profile and geographic flexibility. The process is time-intensive, so quality matters more than volume.
What happens after a BS/MD interview?
Programs typically notify applicants of decisions in January through April. Some programs use a waitlist. Students who receive multiple offers must weigh program fit, location, program length, and MCAT requirements before committing.
What if a student is rejected from all BS/MD programs?
They continue on the traditional pre-med path. A strong college application submitted simultaneously ensures they have excellent options regardless of BS/MD outcomes. This is why the dual-application strategy is essential.
Key Takeaways
- 1.The BS/MD application process is a dual-application — a standard college application running simultaneously with a BS/MD supplemental. Managing both well requires a coordinated strategy.
- 2.The students who are most competitive started building their profiles in 9th or 10th grade — not because they were planning their application, but because they were genuinely engaging with medicine.
- 3.Most BS/MD supplemental applications are due in November or December of senior year — earlier than most college application deadlines.
- 4.Treat your college application as if BS/MD doesn't exist. Strong college options are essential regardless of BS/MD outcomes.
- 5.If you're starting late, prioritize clinical exposure immediately and focus your program list.
- 6.Build in buffer time. Map every deadline in August of senior year and work backward.
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