What GPA Is Needed for BS/MD Programs and How to Get Help for My Child’s Application

BS/MD programs typically require a minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA, though admitted students usually have GPAs near 4.0 along with SAT scores of 1500+ or ACT scores of 34+. 

These direct medical programs are extraordinarily competitive—with acceptance rates between 1-5%, they’re often more selective than Ivy League schools. Given these odds, working with an experienced college admissions consultant can help your family develop a strategic approach to BS/MD applications while building a balanced list that includes strong “likely” schools. 

For guidance on finding the right professional support, see our comprehensive guide on how to choose the best college admissions consultant.

What GPA Do I Need to Get Into a BS/MD Program?

Most BS/MD programs have minimum GPA cutoffs around 3.5 on a 4.0 unweighted scale, but the reality is far more competitive. 

Accepted students typically have GPAs very close to 4.0 unweighted. According to recent admissions data, DePaul University’s new BS/MD partnership with Rosalind Franklin University requires a 3.8 unweighted GPA minimum. Drexel’s Early Assurance Program admitted students for fall 2025 with an average weighted GPA of 4.26.

Beyond the raw numbers, most programs only accept students ranked in the top 5-10% of their high school class. As the Great College Advice Family Handbook explains: “The higher the challenge and the higher the grade, the more seriously the most selective colleges will consider the applicant.”

For BS/MD specifically, this means taking the most rigorous coursework available—particularly in sciences and mathematics—while maintaining near-perfect grades. Both weighted and unweighted GPAs matter: the unweighted GPA demonstrates overall performance, while the weighted GPA communicates the rigor of courses you’ve completed.

How Competitive Are BS/MD Programs Compared to Regular College Admissions?

BS/MD programs are extraordinarily competitive, with acceptance rates typically between 1-5%—often more selective than Harvard (3.6%), Stanford (3.9%), or Columbia (3.9%).

Consider these statistics:

• Brown University’s Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) received 3,516 applicants and admitted only 82 students—a 2.3% acceptance rate. The average SAT for admitted students was 1,510.
• Northwestern’s Honors Program in Medical Education (HPME) maintains a 2-3% acceptance rate. 
• The University of Rochester’s BS/MD program has a sub-1% acceptance rate. 
• Virginia Commonwealth University has a 5% admit rate for BS/MD seekers compared to 91% for regular undergraduates.

Jamie Berger, a veteran college admissions expert, is candid about these odds: “BS/MD programs are extremely selective. And we will help with admissions to these programs, but also help you realize that you should apply to other places alongside them because they’re very hard to get into.”

This reality underscores why families pursuing BS/MD need both a well-crafted application strategy and a balanced college list that includes strong backup options.

What Test Scores Do I Need for BS/MD Programs?

For competitive candidacy at BS/MD programs, students should target a 1500+ SAT or 34+ ACT. However, actual admitted students often score significantly higher.

Current requirements and admitted student profiles include:

• Penn State’s BS/MD program now requires a minimum 1470 SAT or 32 ACT, but accepted students average 1570 SAT and 36 ACT.
• Drexel’s program requires a minimum 1420 SAT or 32 ACT, with admitted students averaging 1538 SAT or 34 ACT composite.
• The University of Pittsburgh’s Guaranteed Admissions Program (GAP) requires a 1500 SAT or 34 ACT minimum.

While some programs remained test-optional, the trend is shifting back toward requiring scores for BS/MD applicants. At the most selective schools, in particular, test scores are a sort of ‘minimum requirement’ that help admissions officers sort through the thousands of applicants with similar credentials.

For families focused on value and ROI, remember that higher test scores often translate directly into more merit aid at “likely” schools—so test preparation investments can pay dividends regardless of BS/MD outcomes.

Is Hiring a College Admissions Consultant Worth It for BS/MD Applications?

For BS/MD applicants specifically, professional guidance can be particularly valuable given the extreme selectivity of these programs. But practical families rightly want to understand the return on investment.

Jamie Berger explains: “In terms of increased merit aid and finding the perfect fit, I think it’s totally worth it. The sticker price might seem large, but it might save you $20,000 a year by getting more merit aid at a college.”

The value extends beyond just the BS/MD applications themselves. Since these programs are hard to get into, experienced counselors help families:

• Build balanced college lists with strong alternatives where your student can thrive 
• Identify “likely” schools (what some call “safety schools”—though that terminology is outdated) that offer substantial merit aid
• Avoid the common trap of putting all eggs in the BS/MD basket 
• Navigate the complex landscape of different program structures (6-year, 7-year, 8-year programs)

Great College Advice offers specialized BS/MD Application Support as an add-on to their Elite Package, which includes guidance on BS/MD options, advising on positioning activities, timeline development, and support for up to three BS/MD applications including all essays.

When evaluating any consultant, verify they’re members of professional organizations like IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association), NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling), or HECA.

What Extracurricular Activities Should My Child Pursue for BS/MD Programs?

BS/MD programs look for demonstrated commitment to medicine and depth rather than breadth in activities.

Jamie Berger advises: “Deep dives for four years into activities is what’s most valuable. The great well-rounded kid is not the ideal anymore.”

For aspiring physicians, this means meaningful clinical experience—volunteering at hospitals or nursing homes, shadowing physicians, or participating in healthcare internships—not just checkbox activities. Programs want evidence that you understand what medicine actually involves and have tested that commitment.

The number of activities is less important than the depth of the commitment. Some students sign up for a million clubs but make little contribution to any. Other students join no clubs but have one special activity that occupies almost all of their time outside of school.

Community service is also valuable, particularly advocacy-oriented work that demonstrates compassion and cultural competence. Medical schools especially value applicants who demonstrate service within social justice and community advocacy.

One parent in the Great College Advice community shared that their child’s sustained commitment to a single healthcare-focused volunteer organization over four years made a stronger impression than classmates who scattered their efforts across dozens of clubs.

What Should I Know About the Traditional Pre-Med Path Versus BS/MD Programs?

The traditional pre-med route offers more flexibility but less certainty, while BS/MD provides a guaranteed path but requires early commitment. Understanding this tradeoff is crucial for practical families.

Jamie Berger offers an important perspective: “I don’t think there are that many 16-year-olds who already know they want to be a doctor. I don’t necessarily recommend it [the BS/MD program]  except for that very rare kid. It’s kind of like going and becoming a Division 1 athlete. You don’t get to have that full college experience. You’re already in a career training program for four years.”

For traditional medical school, one’s major can just as easily have been in the humanities or social sciences as in the laboratory sciences—the MCAT now includes sociology, psychology, philosophy, and economics. Some medical schools actively recruit students with non-science majors. This flexibility is largely lost in most BS/MD programs.

However, BS/MD programs offer significant advantages:

• Elimination of the stress of maintaining an exceptionally high undergraduate GPA for medical school applications 
• Reduced or waived MCAT requirements in many programs
• Avoidance of the highly competitive traditional medical school application process
• Shorter overall timeline (most programs are 7-8 years total)

For maintaining eligibility, programs typically require GPAs between 3.5-3.7 during undergraduate years:

• University of Pittsburgh’s GAP requires a 3.70 GPA
• Case Western Reserve requires 3.65 (overall and in math/science) 
• St. Louis University requires 3.65 GPA 

How Do I Find a Qualified College Admissions Consultant for BS/MD Applications?

When selecting a consultant for BS/MD applications, verification of credentials and experience is essential. Not all admissions consultants have expertise in these specialized programs.

Jamie Berger advises: “See if they are members of one of the professional organizations—IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association), NACAC (National Association of College Admissions Counseling), or HECA. They all have requirements of experience level and it’s way better than someone who isn’t in any of them.”

Beyond credentials, look for demonstrated experience with BS/MD applications specifically, since these require specialized knowledge of program structures, timelines, and requirements. Be wary of anyone promising guaranteed results—given the 1-5% acceptance rates, no ethical consultant can guarantee admission.

Great College Advice emphasizes their collaborative approach: “There are six of us with well over 100 years of experience in college admissions. When you hire one counselor, you’re hiring all six because we meet once a week, talk about clients, ask questions, and bounce things off each other. We all are in different regions of the country with different expertises.”

Always meet with the consultant before signing to ensure personality fit with your student. As Berger notes: “The student and the counselor should meet before you sign on, if possible.” Get personal recommendations rather than relying solely on marketing materials, and understand exactly what services are included in the fee structure.

Finding the Right Guidance for Your Family

Navigating specialized admissions pathways requires expertise, coordination, and honest assessment of fit. Whether your child is pursuing BS/MD programs, athletic recruitment, or arts conservatories, the right combination of general strategy and specialized support can make all the difference.

Learn more about choosing the right admissions guidance: How to Choose the Best College Admissions Consultant

Schedule a free consultation with Great College Advice to discuss your family’s unique situation and learn how our team of six experienced counselors—with over 100 years of combined admissions expertise—can help your student navigate even the most specialized pathways.