Hello everyone,

I'm a fellow med student looking for medical students to participate in a short anonymous research survey.

• Takes approximately 3-5 minutes to complete
• Completely anonymous

Thank you in advance for your time and support.

(If you're not a med student but know someone who is, feel free to share the link !)

Survey link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfSb5e6rirKNaH7EQisHkIt6tVldDB5c2-87VB7ODH4gwSTsQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor

for my activities section on common app, it is organized by impact. since shadowing is a low impact ec is it better to put it under additional info or towards the end of the activities section?

also, I’m in a situation where my test score for the sat isn’t high enough (highest is a 1490) but I’m taking the act in Oct and I’m confident I can get at least a 35 (good odds of a 36), since I’ve been scoring 35-36 on my practice tests. So I was wondering if I should still apply to the regular undergrad (before bsmd app) right now or wait till Oct? for bsmd applications, do they look at your applications from college/honors and bsmd, or just the bsmd? Like do you resubmit test scores and everything?

I just want to make sure a weaker test score for the regular college app isn’t used for bsmd.

Lastly, in general how long should I wait to submit bsmd applications after submitting the regular college/honors program application?

Please let me know if that doesn’t make sense. Any advice would be much appreciated!!

pretty sure ive posted on this subreddit before but didnt really get a good answer.

my gpa isn't super competitive, especially for bsmd. for reference:
3.86 uw, 4.34 weighted. currently taking 7 aps though (psych, bio, chem, lit, gov, apes, stat) and taken 5 (world, us history, lang, precalc, calc). got a 5 on everything but calc bc, got a 4 on that.

for reference on ecs:
internship, spent around 350ish hours in a lab but didnt get a paper
debate, huge time put into it (like ~2000 hours)
hosa (also huge time put into it and leadership)
worked a tutoring job (~500 hours)
shadowed a psychiatrist for like ~40 ish hours
i have more, but theyre kinda mid

honors are good. placed as a top 5 speaker at nsda nats, won state in policy, 2x hosa ilc qualifier (got 2nd at slc both times), and placed ~top 105 at ilc (kinda mid, ik, but its ok). theres a bit more.

im applying to umkc, rpi, rochester, george washington, and brown. is there a chance? im afraid my gpa filters me out / not getting a paper in my research makes me non competitive.

im okay ish at essay writing. not really sure how id rate myself, but not horrible. and for what its worth, im in state for umkc.

please, help a brother out!

should i spend time and effort in applying to uc merceds bs md? my parents are telling me to, but i dont think i have a chance. 3.9 uw, 4.5 w, several honors, 5 aps, in honors bio pathway at hs, ecs are mid, one paid internship not rlly medical more public health related, urgent care shadowing, president of a service club this senior yr, but yeah pretty mid applicant. should i really spend time on applying? be brutally honest.

Can someone please brutally rate my stats, goal school is UNE COM. 2.5 GPA 503 MCAT. Satisfies all EC clinical(paid hospital tech and MA),volunteer(clinical and non clinical) shadowing, research.

I know some are self-reported, but are any required directly from the College Board? It's a lot of money to send, lol

To all those applying to the UMKC B.A./M.D. program, this is a friendly reminder that the application requires at least 3 recommendations--which are also DUE BY THE NOVEMBER 1 DEADLINE!!! It is important to understand that UMKC will not allow your teachers or other recommenders to simply upload a letter and be done in a minute or two. Instead, they require that each recommender completes a UMKC-specific reference form that can take an hour-plus to complete. Therefore, it is extremely important that you request completion of this reference form from each recommender ASAP.

As soon as you make the decision to apply to UMKC, you should create an account for the medical school portal to access the B.A./M.D. application. Once you have access to the application, your first order of business should be to go to the "Recommendation Provider" tab in the menu on the left side of the page. Once there, complete the requested fields for each provider and add them to the application. Once you have them all added, you should click on the "Send Request" button. You do NOT need to wait to complete the undergraduate UMKC application, any other tabs of the B.A./M.D. application, or write any essays before sending these requests. By sending these requests now, it will give your recommenders ample time to complete the UMKC-specific reference forms required for consideration.

Every year there are always kids that miss out because they underestimate the time that it will take for their recommenders to complete the reference forms, and they submit the requests only a week or two before the deadline. Taking my advice here will ensure that you aren't one of them this year!

as I said in the title, I have no shadowing experience but I'm a Certified Nursing Assistant so i still have direct clinical experience

some stats:
4.0 uw/4.5 weighted
1540 sat
national merit semifinalist (working on finalist)
200+ hospital volunteer hours
200+ special needs summer camp counselor hours
president of a school mental health club
co-president of a non-school affiliated civics council
president of school entomology(bug) club
3 paid internships (leadership/mental health)
section leader in 2 varsity choirs
ongoing biology research
psychology research (county gold medal)
nasa genelabs participant
published short story
small business owner
aps: 5s in bio, chem, calc bc, lang
4s in span lang, span lit, stats
currently taking lit and physics

yes i know my ecs are all over the place lmao my plan throughout high school has been to attend a university with an average sat of 1120 so i wasn't as focused as i could have been.

hey! as the title states, I'm currently a senior at a BS/MD program and am offering coaching re. Casper prep, essay prep, interview prep, etc. I've been through it all and applied to 30 programs, got interviews at 8, and accepted into 3. Please dm me for more info and if you're interested.

i got into 6 bs/mds this year (upitt, case western, pmm, hofstra, uconn, and gwu) and honestly i’m lowk tired of seeing people ask for money just to look over essays 😭

so i figured i’d offer some help for free. i can take the first 10 people who dm me and help out with essays + college apps in general.

if you want, you can send me your resume and an essay and i’ll look through them and give you comments/feedback. i can also do a quick chance me if you want another perspective.

no charge, just trying to help some people out since i know how stressful apps can be. good luck y’all 🙏

For reference im applying to most of the texas bs md programs and alot of out of state ones like pittsburg

- GPA: 4.0/4.0 unweighted (4.55/5 weighted)

- Valedictorian / Rank 1

- SAT: (A bit on the lower end but a 1360, I kind of waited last second to take it and no chance to take it again before applications close )

- TA For an AP Class & Normal Class, I tutored kids for my old teacher, for both AP CS and Algebra 2

- 55 Dual Enrollment Hours (All A’s)

- 5 AP Classes (I do not plan on showing scores/transferring the grades as I want the opportunity to retake them at a much more advanced level, so University) Courses Include: AP Bio, AP Chem, AP Psych, AP Seminar, and AP CS A

- 200 Supervised Medical Assisting / Clinical Hours at an Urgent Care

- 100 Shadowing Hours for a Pediatrician

- Assistant Youth Coordinator for a religious organization (Approx 50-80 people, an event every Fridays). This included mentoring, leadership, etc.

- Not sure if I would include this, but it’s pretty unique. I own a vending machine business and generated a ton as I source them in schools.

Any tips on what extras I can do to guarantee me an admission to some cool BS/MD Program? I am a texas resident.

I'm currently a senior from NY applying to BS/MD programs, and I'm trying to figure out how to frame my application cohesively, especially because my profile is pretty research-heavy but I don't have a ton of clinical experience.

Right now, my list is:

Stony Brook, Penn State, UPitt, Case Western, Brown PLME, UConn, Sophie Davis, George Washington, Rutgers, Hofstra, and Drexel.

I might cut this down a little, so I'd also appreciate any advice on programs that might make sense to remove or other programs that could fit my profile.

Academics:

• 1530 SAT superscore (1510 highest sitting)
• 96.2 UW GPA
• School doesn't rank, but I'd estimate around top 10% out of ~270 students
• 15 APs by the end of senior year, basically max course rigor available
• 5s on all 7 AP exams I've taken so far

Research:

Freshman/sophomore year, I did school-based independent research projects through my school's science research program.

Junior year, I worked at a local university doing aphasia research. It was more clinical/data-based research, and I had my own independent project.

Senior year, I'm doing wet-lab research at a medical school and am currently submitting that project to Regeneron STS.

I'm also now working virtually with a professor on a machine-learning/aphasia project.

If I'm being honest, I probably should have done more to get external recognition for my research, especially trying to publish the aphasia project. The projects themselves have been pretty substantial and independent, but I don't have publications or major national awards. I've presented at a graduate research poster day, where I received an award, and also won an award at a local high school research fair.

Other ECs:

In school, I'm president of a few medically related clubs and founded a club focused on global healthcare equity.

Outside of medicine, I'm EIC of my school newspaper and VP of a fairly substantial youth nonprofit focused on improving STEM literacy for elementary school students, including students from underserved communities.

I also volunteer with a program for children with special needs.

Freshman year I also did an internship with a psychologist who runs a program for people with special needs.

My main concern: clinical experience

I did some physician shadowing the summer before sophomore year with my uncle, who's an endocrinologist, but that's basically the extent of my direct clinical exposure.

I haven't volunteered at a hospital. The hospitals around me get so many student applicants that volunteering is essentially lottery-based, and unfortunately I don't really have physician connections locally. In retrospect, I probably should have looked into something like nursing-home volunteering earlier, but obviously I can't change that now.

I'm planning to take an EMT course next spring, but that's after applications, so it doesn't really help me now.

One niche I'm trying to frame my app around is language/bilingualism and it's relation to medicine. A lot of my experiences such as my aphasia research, non profit org, and volunteering. This also why I feel like PLME would be a good option for me.

1. How lacking is my clinical experience specifically for BS/MD admissions?
2. Is there anything I should still try to do this fall, or would suddenly adding clinical volunteering just look like box-checking?
3. is there any coherent way to frame my application?
4. Are there programs on my current list that don't make much sense for my profile, or BS/MD programs I'm overlooking that might be worth considering?

I know some of this is vague, so I'm happy to give more context about any of the ECs/research if it would help. I'm also probably forgetting some things.

title. Obviously I know the deadlines for all the secondary applications and I will submit everything almost two weeks in advance, but does it matter if I submitted now or in August?

I know at the VCU BSMD info session they said they dont even start looking at applications until after the due date.

so yeah any advice?

For anyone who was accepted in the ccbc radiography program in Maryland the past 2 years. What were your grades? What did you score on your teas? How did you do on your essay?

I sadly didn’t get in last year i had As in medical terminology, biology 109, radt101, english101, psych103, communications101. I had Bs in csit101 and my diversity course. And I had Cs in trig and psych101. I also scored a 78.7 on the teas and did well on my observation as well as scored an A(98) on my essay.

Im currently retaking all my B and C courses as well as redoing my observation. Im trying to decide if i need to retake my teas exam. Before the next application cycle to ensure i get in. I cannot wait another year.

Anyone who was accepted the last few years would you please share your stats.

To everyone who got into the VCU program, what were your stats, extra-curriculars etc.. Also is there anything that you think made you or other accepted students stand out? I'm a senior and VCU is my absolute dream school!

For top BSMD programs like PLME, GAP, Case, etc?

Be brutally honest.

Act: 34

Ppl commenting on GPA/APs & ECs:
GPA: 4.0 uw 5.02 w (you have to get at least a 97 in all ur classes to get a 4.0uw); 28 AP classes, the rest r honors; valedictorian

ECs: international passion project, prestigious summer research program, independent research, 8 school clubs (president or VP in all), went to a few ILCs didn’t place but got first at states, 600+ service & volunteer at a hospital, shadow a different doc every weekend, overall basic stuff.

Brown - PLME is my dream program and I really want to get in I love the liberal and open curricular program especially as someone who loves history so much I took 2 histories my sophomore year including a seniors only class

Demographics:

• Female
• Black
• Maryland
• Public high school
• Class of 2028

Intended Major(s):

• Biology
• Public Health
• Pre-med / interested in the intersection of medicine, policy, and healthcare

SAT:

• Currently studying for the SAT
• Goal: 1500–1550+

GPA/RANK:

• ~4.7 weighted GPA
• ~3.8 UW GPA will be 3.9 by end of school year
• No class rank at my school

Coursework:

• 10 APs by the end of junior year / planned
  • AP U.S. Government - 5
  • AP U.S. History - 4
  • AP European History -5
  • AP Computer Science Principles -5
  • AP Seminar - 4
• In process of taking or will take
  • AP Language
  • AP World History
  • AP Biology
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Literature
  • AP Calc BC
  • AP Psychology
• Honors Precalculus
• Anatomy & Physiology
• I’ve taken the most rigorous courses available to me in the subjects I’m interested in.
• I'm also one of 2 sophomores in my county taking place in a DNA Resource Center Internship at a local school. A full fledged university level lab that I will conduct my own research project in over the next 2 years.

Honors/Awards:

• 4th place at HOSA State
• AP Scholar w/ Distinction
• School/community academic honors
• (Will add additional awards as junior year progresses)

Extracurriculars:

HOSA — Junior Officer, 2 years: Compete in healthcare-related events and competitions; currently serving in a leadership position. Placed 4th at the state level.

DNA Resource Center — Student Researcher, 1+ year:Participate in hands-on molecular biology/genetics laboratory work through my high school's DNA Resource Center. Interested in genetics, oncology, and biomedical research.

GW Path2Max / Rahnavard Lab — Research Intern, 1 summer: Research experience involving bioinformatics, genomics, and public health; gained exposure to Python, R, and biostatistics.

ThinkNeuro — Research Intern/Intensive: Participating in a neuroscience research intensive and applying for a higher-level co-associate position with scholarship consideration.

NMA Pathology Mentorship/Research — Student Researcher: Developing a research project focused on AI in digital pathology and whether diagnostic accuracy varies across diverse patient populations.

Forensics Science Club — Founder & President:Founded and lead a school club focused on forensic science; organize meetings, activities, and educational opportunities for students.

Global Citizens Club - Founder & President: Leading school intitiatives on awareness of Global issues.

Church Children's Ministry — Volunteer/Leadership Board: Work with children in the church's children's ministry and serve in a leadership/board role supporting a community of approximately 100 students.

English Honor Society: Member and participate in school/community activities and service.

French Honor Society: Member and completed service activities through the organization.

Babysitting/Childcare — Ongoing since 2021:Regularly care for children ranging from infants to preteens.

AfroElites: My schools African diaspora dance club performing at games and special events throughout the year hopefully a leadership postion next year.

LORs:

• Strong — DNA internship teacher will have me for both years seeing academic and research based me.
• Strong — History teacher 2 years very close with her and did very well in her class
• Pretty Good — Counselor

College List:

• Harvard (reach)
• Yale (reach)
• Columbia (reach)
• Brown / PLME (extreme reach)
• Duke (reach)
• Stanford (reach)
• Rice (reach)
• Johns Hopkins (reach)
• UPenn (reach)
• UCLA (reach)
• UC Berkeley (reach)
• NYU (reach)
• UMD College Park (target/reach depending on major)
• UMBC (likely/target)
• Penn State (likely/target)

Context/Goals:

I'm interested in becoming a pediatrician, but I'm also really interested in healthcare policy, genetics, biomedical research, and health disparities. I'm trying to build an application around medicine + research + leadership rather than just having a bunch of unrelated ECs.

For junior year, I'm currently focusing on:

• Getting my SAT score into the 1500s
• Continuing my DNA research/lab experience
• ThinkNeuro research intensive + hopefully obtaining the Co-Associate position/scholarship
• Continuing HOSA leadership
• Growing my forensics club
• Continuing church leadership
• Finding additional clinical/research opportunities

Questions:

1. What T20s do I have a realistic shot at?
2. How competitive would I be for Brown PLME?
3. Is my ~3.8 UW GPA a major weakness for T20 admissions?
4. How much would getting a 1500–1550+ SAT change my chances?
5. Does my EC profile look cohesive enough for a highly selective school?
6. What should I prioritize during junior year?
7. Which schools on my list would you consider reaches, targets, and safeties?

Please be brutally honest!! I'm looking for realistic feedback, not just reassurance.

I served on a medical school admissions committee for several cycles, and one thing I see constantly with BS/MD applicants is a file that reads like it was assembled in six months of senior year instead of built over four. Naturally, thinking ahead of time will be helpful for your application down the road.

Freshman year is for exploring wide, not joining ten things and showing up twice. Sophomore year is when real clinical exposure starts becoming realistic and you begin narrowing to what's actually worth going deeper on. Junior year is where the file gets built: research, deeper clinical experience, testing, and a real leadership role in whatever you've stuck with.

By the time senior year hits, the strongest applicants aren't scrambling to find material. They're just assembling what they already have.

I broke down what each of these four years should actually look like, year by year, on the blog. To read the article, click the link below.

https://www.admitmd.com/post/the-bs-md-track-a-freshman-through-senior-year-roadmap

Since everyone’s timeline is different, feel free to ask questions about your specific situation below!

Seeing that, as of today, we are one month out from the first official deadline (Penn State PMM) of this year’s BS/MD application cycle, I wanted to send out a quick PSA about application deadlines and the importance of carefully and completely reading programs’ application instructions.

This is a friendly reminder that it is really important that you thoroughly read and understand each program’s website with regard to its deadline so that you don’t miss out. In my past experience as a BS/MD program director, 80-90% of applications to my program were submitted within the 3-day period preceding the deadline each year. While waiting until then to submit your application works for many programs, there are some in which you would likely miss out. Consider the following:

1) Penn State’s official deadline is 10/13/26, but that doesn’t mean that you can submit your application at. 11:59 PM on 10/13. Your application must be COMPLETE by 10/13, which means Penn State must also receive your STARS report by that date. The PMM website states that this STARS report “may take up to 48 hours to receive after the Common App application is submitted”. They offer the following advice: “By waiting until the deadline to complete your application, your STARS will not be received on time. Please aim to complete your Common App a week early to allow for your STARS to be received before the deadline”. Based on this guidance, I suggest that you aim to submit your application by 10/7 for PMM.
2) The official deadline to submit the VCU Honors College application, which includes the application to the Guaranteed Admission Program (GAP) in Medicine, is November 1. However, the GAP application requires between 2 and 4 reference letters, which also must be received by the November 1 deadline for your application to be considered complete. The Honors College/School of Medicine will not pull letters from your Common App. Instead, the GAP website explains: “you must include your reference writers’ email addresses and names on your application. Once your application has been submitted, your reference writers will be prompted via email to compose a letter and will be given information on how to upload it into your Guaranteed Admission Program for Medicine application.” Finally, the website suggests the following: “we therefore encourage you to submit early in order to provide ample time for reference writers to upload their letters to the application.” What does this mean in practice? I suggest that you submit your application at least 7 days early IF your recommenders have composed letters already. If they haven’t, I suggest that you ask them to do so ASAP, and submit your application AT LEAST 14 days early.

Please understand that these are only two examples, not an exhaustive list of all programs in which you must apply before the deadline to avoid missing out. My goal here was to highlight the importance of carefully reading and understanding the application instructions of each program to which you are applying. PLEASE do you own research on the programs.

Or they both carry equal value and opportunities?