Paths to Medical School
Many College of Arts and Sciences students are interested in pursuing medical school. While most of these students major in biological sciences, others choose physics, chemistry, psychology or one of the many other majors offered by the college.
The health care environment is undergoing a transformation in the United States and pre-med students need to be prepared. The Department of Biology proactively updates its curriculum and provides tailored recommendations to best serve students with aspirations to matriculate to medical school. Drexel’s acceptance rate for students entering medical school is above the national average at approximately 60%. We have seen many of our students go on to have successful careers in medicine.
Which Path is Right for You?
There are several paths to medical school for qualified students. Your academic adviser, as well as the pre-health adviser in the Steinbright Career Development Center, can help you choose a major and a path.
Learn more about pre-health advising at Drexel
Contact your academic adviser
Traditional Path
In the traditional path, students apply to medical schools around the country in the spring of their junior year.
Requirements:
- All pre-med courses
- MCATs
- Service and volunteer hours in various medical and community settings
BA/BS + MD Program
The BA/BS + MD Early Assurance program allows students the opportunity to enter the Drexel University College of Medicine after four years of undergraduate study at Drexel. The program was designed to meet the needs of students dedicated to a career in medicine who desire to be relieved of the pressure associated with the traditional application process. The program is open to majors in Biology, Chemistry and Psychology majors (all 4-year with co-op) in the College of Arts and Sciences, Biomedical Engineering (4-year with co-op) and Engineering (4-year with co-op).
The majority of BA/BS + MD students at Drexel are Biology majors. This is a highly accomplished group of students that are committed to pursuing a career in medicine.
Students in the BA/BS + MD program will all participate in a four year co-op program. They may also have the opportunity to engage in research through STAR (Students Tackling Advanced Research) or to participate in research with individual faculty within the Biology department and at Drexel Medical School. BA/BS + MD students also have opportunity for study abroad to engage in global opportunities.
Note: The Accelerated BA/BS + MD program is being discontinued, starting with students admitted for the fall of 2018. Starting in 2018 and moving forward, the BA/BS + MD program will be a 4+4 program. For students who are currently enrolled in the Accelerated BA/BS + MD program and were admitted 2017 and before, please contact Undergraduate Adviser Jennifer Rubin at jrubin@drexel.edu or 215.895.1805 if you have any questions.
Learn more about the BA/BS + MD degree