1. Johns Hopkins immersive Health Sciences Intensive Program provides training in every aspect of medical school preparation, including advising/counseling, MCAT prep, application assistance, etc. I’ve had several clients graduate from this program and go on to top tier medical schools. A 3.0 GPA or above is strongly recommended.
2. Tulane offers six programs covering different aspects of medicine, all of which earn a master’s degree and all geared toward different aspects of medical school preparation.
2. Tulane offers six programs covering different aspects of medicine, all of which earn a master’s degree and all geared toward different aspects of medical school preparation.
• Tulane Cell and Molecular Biology One Year Masters (deadline 6/30)
• Tulane One Year Masters in Medical Genetics and Genomics (deadline 7/12)
• Tulane One Year Masters Program in Physiology
• Tulane One-Year Masters Program in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
• Tulane One Year Masters in Pharmacology Program (deadline 6/1)
• Tulane One-Year Masters Program in Microbiology and Immunology (deadline 7/12)
Courses are taught by Tulane School of Medicine faculty members and in some cases (e.g., pharmacology), students will be in classes with medical students. The programs are all geared toward professional development as well, offering optional MCAT preparation and advising. All have a minimum GPA of 3.0 for admittance, but the average accepted rates range from 3.29-3.4. Where not indicated, the programs have a rolling deadline but encourage early application.• Tulane One Year Masters in Medical Genetics and Genomics (deadline 7/12)
• Tulane One Year Masters Program in Physiology
• Tulane One-Year Masters Program in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
• Tulane One Year Masters in Pharmacology Program (deadline 6/1)
• Tulane One-Year Masters Program in Microbiology and Immunology (deadline 7/12)
3. Tufts MS in Biomedical Sciences was designed to strengthen applicants’ academic credentials. They claim that 87% of their graduates go on to medical school, and 35% go on to medical school at Tufts. There is no minimum MCAT or GPA; all applications are considered holistically. Admissions are rolling but the deadline for all submissions is July 15th.
4. Boston University MS in Medical Sciences has a very good reputation and is therefore quite competitive. It is located within the medical school, and while the program only “facilitates” admission to medical school, several dozen graduates are accepted to the extremely competitive BU SOM each year. There is a 3.0 minimum GPA requirement and the deadline for applications is June 1st. (Note: While this program can be completed in one year, it is a full 12-month program so students planning to matriculate to medical school immediately following the program should submit their AMCAS application prior to beginning the program in September. Some students do a laboratory thesis and complete the MS in two years.)
5. Loyola MA in Medical Sciences claims an impressive 95% acceptance rate for their graduates. If you’re interested in learning about the Jesuit curas personalis approach to medicine, this program would give you a strong foundation to apply to those medical schools. It also offers strong links to a variety of Chicago-area hospitals, individualized support for medical school applications, and guaranteed interview with Stritch if certain program requirements are met. A cumulative 3.0 GPA and an MCAT score of 25 (old test) or 500 (new test) is required. The deadline is July 15th, but earlier submission is strongly advised.
6. Icahn Mt. Sinai MS in Biomedical Sciences is also very strong, especially if you’re interested in incorporating research into your medical career. It’s within the medical school and classes are taught by SOM faculty. The program is generally completed in two years; it is possible to complete in one year, but there is a significant research component so it can be challenging. Deadline for applications is June 1st.
7. Drexel is another school with multiple programs to address a candidate’s targeted areas. There are two one-year programs: Drexel Pathway to Medical School (April 28th deadline) and Drexel Interdepartmental Medical Science (rolling admissions), both of which provide extensive advising and support for your future application. The Pathway program is designed for students who are underrepresented in health professions or come from disadvantaged backgrounds. A 2.9 GPA is required. The IMS program requires a 3.0 GPA and MCAT scores of 27 or above. Medical school admission is not guaranteed for either of these programs, but strong candidates will receive an interview at Drexel University College of Medicine.
8. East Virginia Medical Master’s Program is an academic enhancement program that can be taken in either one or two years. In both tracks, students attend classes with medical students. Although there is no guaranteed admission, they claim that 85-90% of graduates go on to attend allopathic medical schools. The one-year program requires a 2.75 minimum GPA and 27 (old) or 503 (new) minimum MCAT; its deadline is June 30th. The two-year program requires MCAT scores of 23 (old) or 496 (new) and is especially designed for students with little clinical shadowing and volunteer work; its deadline is June 1st.
9. Geisinger Commonwealth Master of Biomedical Sciences has a 70% placement rate at professional colleges with a guaranteed interview at Geisinger Commonwealth (formerly TCMC) for graduates in good standing. This program puts a strong emphasis on professional development/advising and offers optional MCAT preparation alongside teaching in medical sciences. Deadline July 1st.
10. Case Western Reserve University offers an MS in Medical Physiology and The Physiology program offers intensive study in human physiology over two years, as well as opportunities for shadowing, clinical volunteer work, and research. While they say they have no absolute minimum scores, the average matriculant has a GPA of at least 2.9 and MCAT scores of 29 or above. The deadline for completion of applications is June 19th.
11. Case Western Reserve also offers an MA in Bioethics (rolling deadline). Bioethics is a hot topic in medical schools at the moment, and part of the curriculum includes practicums in clinical bioethics. Although there is no official linkage with their medical school, students are taught by SOM faculty and the program notes that outstanding students are brought to the attention of the SOM admissions committee.
12. George2. This program has garnered attention, and not just for its catchy name. It’s a partnership between George Mason University and the SOM at Georgetown University. Although not a master’s level program, completion with a 3.0 GPA results in automatic entry to GU’s MS in Physiology in the second year. This would make you a very competitive candidate for medical school, if you have the time to invest. A 3.0 GPA is required; no MCAT scores are required, and the program includes an MCAT preparatory course. Admissions are rolling but the deadline for all submissions is July 15th.
13. University of South Florida MS in Medical Sciences offers a Pre-Professional track, a Medical Anatomy track, both within the Morsani College of Medicine. Both programs aim to strengthen applicants’ science skills through an interdisciplinary perspective. Although there is no official link with the medical school, program graduates make up about 13% of the USF medical school class. In addition, a student mentorship program is offered through partnerships with MS graduates now attending Morsani. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required for this program, along with scores above the 50th percentile on the MCAT, GRE or DAT. (USF also offers a 100% online MS degree. However, one of the advantages of a post-baccalaureate is often the opportunity to be immersed in a medical school’s campus, which you would not have access to as an online student.) Applications are accepted through July 1st, but the priority deadline for applications is June 1st.
By Cydney Foote, Accepted consultant and author of Write Your Way to Medical School, who has helped future physicians craft winning applications since 2001. Want Cyd to help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch!
Related Resources:
• The A-Z of Applying to Postbac Programs, a free guide
• Researching Postbac Programs
• Top Three Tips for Your Postbac Essay
-----------------------• Researching Postbac Programs
• Top Three Tips for Your Postbac Essay
This article originally appeared on blog.accepted.com.
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