Pre-Professional Advising

Accelerated BS/MD Program FAQ's
Students Admitted in 2008

What is the length of the BS/MD Program?

Students attend three years on the main campus taking undergraduate courses towards a bachelor’s degree, including the prerequisite courses required by Drexel University College of Medicine (DUCOM). The students attend medical school for the traditional four years.

How are BS/MD students identified?

BS/MD students have an attribute code (ATTF) of BMD. They are also instructed to self-identify whenever they meet with an advisor.

Is there a standard academic plan for students?

No. Each student has an individualized plan based on the major and AP or transfer credits earned while in high school.

How are students admitted to the BS/MD Program?

Students are admitted as high school seniors based on the following criteria:  high school record, SAT or ACT scores, activities, recommendations and an interview with a member of the Drexel University College of Medicine Admissions Committee.

How are students able to complete the degree requirements?

The degree can be earned by the combination of Drexel undergraduate courses, AP credit, transfer credits earned at other colleges when the students were in high school and credits from the first year of medical school.

Graduation ceremony/Final Examinations

Students who have completed all of the requirements for the bachelor’s degree by the end of the third year can participate and receive their diploma at that time. Only students in this category are eligible for the senior privilege of waiving final exams. All other students must take final examinations at the end of the third year.

Must students attend courses during the summer term?

This is dependent on the student’s chosen major and the number of AP and transfer credits the student has earned. Some majors such as those in the College of Engineering or School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems will require students to take classes during at least one summer term. Others, such as Bioscience and Biotechnology, can be completed without students taking classes in the summer terms.

What are the prerequisite courses for matriculation into the Medical School?

The following courses are required:

• one year of general biology *
• one year of general chemistry (inorganic)*
• one year of organic chemistry *
• one year of general physics *
• one year of English

* all with laboratory courses

Waiver of courses does not satisfy the requirements (e.g., English courses based on placement test). AP credits and college courses taken in high school or before matriculation into the undergraduate program can be used to complete these requirements. After matriculation, any remaining prerequisite courses must be completed at Drexel.

What are the requirements to maintain status in the BS/MD Program?

The basic requirements are:

• minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 by end of the spring term of the second year
• minimum GPA of 3.5 in all BCPM courses (all biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics courses) by the end of the spring term of the second year
• no withdrawal from any course
• no repeating of any course
• no grade in any course below a “C” (a C- is lower than a “C”)
• Minimum MCAT scores of “9” on the verbal section and “10s” on the biological and physical sections or a total minimum score of 31 with no section lower than “8” with a letter score of “P” on the writing section. These scores must be achieved in a single examination.
• Any course with an Incomplete (Inc) notation must be resolved by a letter grade of “C” or better by July 1 of the year that the student is scheduled to matriculate into DUCOM.

When should BS/MD students take the MCAT?

BS/MD students should take the MCAT after they have completed all of the prerequisites, usually near the end of the second year. Students are permitted to take the MCAT for a maximum of three times. Scores must be received by DUCOM no later than May 31 of the year of matriculation.

Is Co-op an option?

No.

What if students complete degree requirements before the end of three years?

They have the option of taking more courses or pursuing some other academic interests.

Can a student change the term of entry into the Medical School?

No.

What happens if a student withdraws or is removed from the Program?

They have the option to stay and complete the degree requirements and/or apply to medical schools through the regular application process.

Are students in this Program eligible for the combined degree programs in the Medical School (e.g., MD/MBA, MD/MPH, MD/PhD)?

Yes. 

Who is responsible for monitoring/enforcing the GPA and MCAT requirements?

 The Prehealth Coordinator is responsible for certifying that students maintain status. (**Any issues with requests, etc. must be referred to the Prehealth Coordinator**).

Who should I contact for further information?

Thomas Coyne, Prehealth Coordinator, tcoyne@drexel.edu