What is the TCNJ-Rutgers NJMS 7 Year Medical Program?
The Rutgers 7 Year Medical Program allows high-achieving high school students, who desire a career in medicine, the opportunity to earn a B.S. or B.A. college degree and M.D. in 7 years. This program allows aspiring doctors to complete undergraduate and medical studies in one less year.
The Rutgers 7 year medical programs goes by several names, including: Rutgers 7 year med program; Rutgers accelerated medical program; Rutgers BS MD program; and Rutgers BA MD program.
- Because of the program’s shorter length, this is a great option for students committed to medicine and want to save a year of schooling
- All BS/MD students are guaranteed on campus housing for all years in the program
- Rutgers University being the leading academic healthcare system in the state of New Jersey
- Have the opportunity to major in a field of interest even if it is not in the basic sciences! (one of the few Rutgers University BS MD programs with this option)
- More lenient GPA and MCAT standards compared to normal admissions (NJMS has a mean accepted applicant GPA/MCAT of 3.67/514). There is currently no minimum MCAT score needed to stay in the Rutgers Accelerated Medical Program.
Program Overview
For the first 3 years, you will be a The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) undergraduate student in Ewing, NJ and take your pre-med requirements as well as other courses for your bachelor’s degree. You have a wide variety of majors to choose from including Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, English, Philosophy, Physics, Economics, Biomedical Engineering, Engineering Science (mechanical or electrical emphasis which require prior AP credit), Math, Spanish or History. Students have the flexibility to pursue a minor as well. Majors include the typical pre-med requirements, including general physics, general chemistry, biology, and organic chemistry (including laboratory courses). There is also a required summer research internship required either at NJMS or another university prior to matriculating to the medical school; otherwise, the semester course load is the same as other full-time TCNJ students.
In addition to your major and pre-medical preparatory courses, you will also take certain general education courses in keeping with the college’s commitment to ensuring students learn the fundamentals of reasoning, communicating and living in today’s world. More information can be found here.
You are required to take the MCAT and maintain a minimum GPA before officially matriculating into Rutgers Medical School.
For the remaining 4 years (Year 4 – Year 7), you will be at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) taking courses to fulfill your M.D. degree. These include your pre-clinical coursework as well as clinical rotations at University Hospital in Newark, NJ and affiliate sites. The bachelor’s degree from TCNJ will be conferred after the first year of medical school.
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Rutgers 7 Year Medical Program Application Requirements:
- Students must have a minimum SAT score of 1500 (Evidence-Based Reading & Writing, and Math sections only) from a single test date or a 34 or higher composite ACT score (SAT II Subject Tests and AP tests are encouraged)
- Applicants must be in the top 5% of their class, and/or have an unweighted GPA of 4.5 or 95% depending on how the school evaluates achievement
- Applicants should demonstrate participation in school, community or other activities that demonstrate service and leadership along with good exposure to medicine and/or healthcare
How to apply to the Rutgers Accelerated Medical Program
- Select TCNJ on the Common App along with 7-year BS/MD program and complete the supplemental application
- There are 2 required interviews: one with a medical career advisor at TCNJ (if invited based on application) and a 2nd with an NJMS admissions representative (if the first interview is favorable); there is no in-state bias for the program so out-of-state students are encouraged to apply
- The TCNJ interview includes a tour with current BS/MD students but can be conducted over the phone for out-of-state students; the NJMS interview (if invited) is required to be attended in-person which also includes a tour with a current medical student
- If you need help with your Rutgers BS MD program interviews, email us at hello@bsmdadmit.com or check out our mock interview packages here.
For retention in the Rutgers BA/BS MD program:
- Complete the three-year undergraduate curriculum at TCNJ in an approved major, and earn at least 3.5 (B+) cumulative and science GPA each semester
- Earn a B or better in each of the basic science courses required by the medical school (Foundations of Biological Inquiry, General Chemistry I/II, Organic Chemistry I/II, and Physics I/II)
- Earn no grade below a C in any course
- Take the MCAT no later than the spring of the 3rd year at TCNJ (no minimum score)
- If a student desires, they may forego their seat at NJMS and apply during the regular medical school application cycle as well
Rutgers 7 Year Medical Program Application Requirements:
- Students must have a minimum SAT score of 1500 (Evidence-Based Reading & Writing, and Math sections only) from a single test date or a 34 or higher composite ACT score (SAT II Subject Tests and AP tests are encouraged)
- Applicants must be in the top 5% of their class, and/or have an unweighted GPA of 4.5 or 95% depending on how the school evaluates achievement
- Applicants should demonstrate participation in school, community or other activities that demonstrate service and leadership along with good exposure to medicine and/or healthcare
How to apply to the Rutgers Accelerated Medical Program
- Select TCNJ on the Common App along with 7-year BS/MD program and complete the supplemental application
- There are 2 required interviews: one with a medical career advisor at TCNJ (if invited based on application) and a 2nd with an NJMS admissions representative (if the first interview is favorable); there is no in-state bias for the program so out-of-state students are encouraged to apply
- The TCNJ interview includes a tour with current BS/MD students but can be conducted over the phone for out-of-state students; the NJMS interview (if invited) is required to be attended in-person which also includes a tour with a current medical student
- If you need help with your Rutgers BS MD program interviews, email us at hello@bsmdadmit.com or check out our mock interview packages here.
Download Our Interview Guide
If you are prepared, the interview gives you the perfect opportunity to standout and shine by sharing with people what you are passionate about.
For retention in the Rutgers BA/BS MD program:
- Complete the three-year undergraduate curriculum at TCNJ in an approved major, and earn at least 3.5 (B+) cumulative and science GPA each semester
- Earn a B or better in each of the basic science courses required by the medical school (Foundations of Biological Inquiry, General Chemistry I/II, Organic Chemistry I/II, and Physics I/II)
- Earn no grade below a C in any course
- Take the MCAT no later than the spring of the 3rd year at TCNJ (no minimum score)
- If a student desires, they may forego their seat at NJMS and apply during the regular medical school application cycle as well
Rutgers 7 Year Medical Program Acceptance Rate & Admissions Statistics:
- # of students who apply – 400
- # of students academically eligible to interview – 200
- # of students who receive an interview at TCNJ – 100
- # of students who receive an interview at NJMS – 80
- # of students who are accepted into the Seven-Year Program – 40
- # of students who enter program Fall semester – 20
- Recent average SAT of accepted students – 1534
- Recent average GPA of accepted students (weighted) – 4.72
More information about the Rutgers Accelerate Medical Program admissions statistics, visit the FAQ’s page
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The Insider’s View
on the Rutgers BS MD Curriculum
How to get accepted to the Rutgers BS MD Program: In order to get accepted to the Rutgers BS MD program, do your research into the undergraduate curriculum, medical school curriculum, student life and extracurricular opportunities. We wrote a detailed overview of these various components so that you can see for yourself why you are a good fit for this medical school. Additionally, you can use this blog post as a launching point to learn about more opportunities.
Medical School Curriculum:
Here is a sample curriculum from the most popular major, biology (though there is much variation possible as there are many different majors to choose from):
First Year
SEMESTER 1
- BIO 201 Foundations of Biological Inquiry (4 cr)
- CHE 201 General Chemistry I (4 cr)
- MAT 207 Calculus A (4 cr)
- BIO 99 Orientation to Biology (0 cr)
- First Seminar Program (4 cr)
SEMESTER 2
- BIO 211 Biology of the Eukaryotic Cell Biology (4 cr)
- CHE 202 General Chemistry II (4 cr)
- MAT 128/MAT 200/STAT 215/Liberal Learning (4 cr)
- Liberal Learning (4 cr)
Second Year
SEMESTER 1
- BIO 231/BIO 221 Ecology and Field Biology or Genetics (4 cr)
- CHE 331 Organic Chemistry I (4 cr)
- MAT 128/MAT 200/STAT 215/Liberal Learning (4 cr)
- Liberal Learning or Elective (4 cr)
SEMESTER 2
- CHE 332 Organic Chemistry II (4 cr)
- T BIO 231/BIO 221 Ecology and Field Biology or Genetics (4 cr)
- Liberal Learning or Elective (4 cr)
- Liberal Learning or Elective (4 cr)
Third Year
SEMESTER 1
- Upper Biology Option Course (4 cr)
- PHY 201 General Physics I (4 cr)
- Liberal Learning or Elective (4 cr)
- Liberal Learning or Elective (4 cr)
SEMESTER 2
- Upper Biology Option Course (4 cr)
- PHY 202 General Physics II (4 cr)
- Biology Senior Seminar Course (4 cr)
- Liberal Learning or Elective (4 cr)
Fourth Year, NJMS I (bachelor’s degree conferred after 1st year of medical school)
- First-year medical subjects
- Pre-clinical sciences
Fifth Year, NJMS II
- Second-year medical subjects/STEP 1
Sixth Year, NJMS III
- Third-year medical subjects
- Core Clerkships
Seventh Year, NJMS IV
- Fourth-year medical subjects
- Programmed electives
To learn more, read details about the Rutgers NJMS curriculum here.
Source: TCNJ website, 7-year BS/MD: https://biology.tcnj.edu/sample-pathway-for-the-7-year-bs-md-degree-program/
Advising:
Dr. Dennis Shevlin is the advisor for the Rutgers BS MD program and also sits on the Medical Careers Advisory committee. He is a resource for all students and facilitates a collaborative environment not only with students in the same year but also between years to help students adjust. If a student wishes to major in a field outside of the School of Science, they will also have an advisor in their major of study. Upperclassmen in the program are a great resource and are available for questions not only regarding academics but also extracurriculars and the social scene.
What students are saying about The College of New Jersey - Rutgers
Student Life
How to get accepted to the University of Rutgers BS MD Program: Articulate how you will take advantage of opportunities at the Rutgers-TCNJ during your undergraduate and your medical school years. Additionally, discuss how you will contribute to the community, including which extracurricular activities you hope to engage in.
TCNJ Undergraduate Student Life:
- TCNJ is a mid-size residential college located in suburban central, NJ. It has an undergraduate enrollment of ~7000 with an average class size of 21. With only a handful of graduate programs, professors are focused on undergraduate education. The student-faculty ratio is 13:1 and has a graduation rate of 87%
- It is tight-knit community with a diverse student body on a scenic 289-acre campus. There is a myriad of extracurricular organizations from dance to harry potter, varsity, club and intramural sports as well as Greek life (Organizations)
- Most freshmen and sophomores live on campus and the school does a great job in building unity among its student body and the professors are well known in their fields
- I, personally, was involved in Greek Life, debate and club soccer. I made some of my closest friends at TCNJ, felt supported and empowered throughout my time there
- Finally, the school is 45 minutes away from Philadelphia and 1.5 hours from NYC!
Medical School Student Life:
- NJMS is known for its diverse student body and patient population, the backing of a nationally renowned research institution in Rutgers University and a new curriculum that started in 2019 centered on early clinical exposures/skills training, organ systems based pre-clinical teaching, service learning and a focus on developing professional identities with a team focus
- With 18 months of pre-clinical time, there is ample opportunity to explore a wide variety of fields to find the one that aligns with one’s goals
- Almost all students live in 180 Market St during the pre-clinical years located right next to the medical school and University Hospital facilitating unity within the class as well as opportunities to explore a variety of fields from day 1
- For students, that know they want to be a primary care physician, there is a new 3-year accelerated curriculum to address the growing shortage of internists and pediatricians (details)
Financial Aid
At TCNJ, students are eligible for all merit and need-based scholarships as the regular applicant pool. Based on TCNJ’s website, there is the TCNJ Scholarship Award available, “One mark of a truly outstanding college is the recognition of exceptional academic achievement. The College of New Jersey rewards in-state and out-of-state high school graduates who have achieved distinction in their academics. Awards range from $2,000 to $10,000 per year.” Learn more on its financial aid website here.
At NJMS, students pay the regular rate and are eligible for financial aid consideration in accordance with the medical school’s standard policies.
Helpful Resources
Resources and Links:
- Rutgers 7 Year Medical Program application: Apply through the Common Application
- Rutgers Accelerated Med Program website
Here are useful Cracking Med School Admissions resources:
- How To Write A Personal Statement For Medical School
- Pros and cons of BS MD Programs
Read our other popular school blogs here: