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Charlotte
Student
Rancho Cucamonga, California
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What are BS/MD and BA/MD programs?
I am currently an incoming junior in high school and I am planning on going into the medical field! #medicine #medical #doctor #medical-school #hospital-and-health-care
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Andrea Shugar
4
Answers
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Andrea’s Answer
The above answer is a great reference! The "BS" stands for Bachelor of Science. You get this degree after completing a 3-4 year college program. For example, you can major in biology in college, but your official degree is a "Bachelor of Science" in biology. "BA" stands for Bachelor of Art. It essentially holds the same meaning as a BS, just a different title! The "MD" stands for Doctor of Medicine. You earn this degree after completing medical school, which is 4 years.
BS or BA/MD programs are usually 8 year programs where you do 4 years of undergraduate school (or normal college), followed by 4 years of medical school at that same college. With these programs, you automatically have a guaranteed seat at the medical school after you complete your 4 years of college, so you don't have to "apply" to medical school. These are very competitive programs! Don't be discouraged if you do not get in--most medical students do not do these programs, they just apply after completing their 4 years of college. However, you should apply if you are interested! :-) good luck!
BS or BA/MD programs are usually 8 year programs where you do 4 years of undergraduate school (or normal college), followed by 4 years of medical school at that same college. With these programs, you automatically have a guaranteed seat at the medical school after you complete your 4 years of college, so you don't have to "apply" to medical school. These are very competitive programs! Don't be discouraged if you do not get in--most medical students do not do these programs, they just apply after completing their 4 years of college. However, you should apply if you are interested! :-) good luck!
Estelle Archer
Gynecologist
1322
Answers
United States
Updated
Estelle’s Answer
Some US schools offer streamlined programs that offer shorter undergrad programs that directly feed into their medical schools.
Most students complete an undergraduate degree then apply to medical school. In the US, to apply to medical school, you need a bachelor's degree. Any 4-year university should suffice.
Pick a college that suits your personality and a major that interests you. You will need to get good grades in college in order to apply for medical school. At the medical school I attended, the average GPA is reported to be 3.85, so even one or two B's can hurt your chances of acceptance.
Aside from this, any major is acceptable as long as you complete the prerequisite courses.
Typical medical school prerequisites include:
Biology: Lecture – 4 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
General Chemistry: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Organic Chemistry: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Biochemistry: Lecture – 1 semester
General Physics: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Math: Statistics – 1 semester
English: Rhetoric (Composition) and Literature – 2 semesters
During college study for and complete the MCAT. Apply to medical schools during your last year of college.
Medical school takes 4 years to complete.
After medical school physicians complete a residency for additional training. These can last 3-6 years and are sometimes followed by an additional year or two of fellowship subspecialty training.
Most students complete an undergraduate degree then apply to medical school. In the US, to apply to medical school, you need a bachelor's degree. Any 4-year university should suffice.
Pick a college that suits your personality and a major that interests you. You will need to get good grades in college in order to apply for medical school. At the medical school I attended, the average GPA is reported to be 3.85, so even one or two B's can hurt your chances of acceptance.
Aside from this, any major is acceptable as long as you complete the prerequisite courses.
Typical medical school prerequisites include:
Biology: Lecture – 4 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
General Chemistry: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Organic Chemistry: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Biochemistry: Lecture – 1 semester
General Physics: Lecture – 2 semesters; Lab – 1 semester
Math: Statistics – 1 semester
English: Rhetoric (Composition) and Literature – 2 semesters
During college study for and complete the MCAT. Apply to medical schools during your last year of college.
Medical school takes 4 years to complete.
After medical school physicians complete a residency for additional training. These can last 3-6 years and are sometimes followed by an additional year or two of fellowship subspecialty training.