What is the Pittsburgh BS MD Program?
The University of Pittsburgh BS MD program allows high-achieving high school students, who desire a career in medicine, the opportunity to earn a B.S./B.A. and M.D. in 8 years without having to apply to medical school in between. This program does not require its student to take the MCAT exam prior to matriculation to the medical school and also permits a wide range of undergraduate majors. The program is also know as the “University of Pittsburgh Guaranteed Admissions Program.”
Why Choose University of Pittsburgh BS MD?
- Because of the guarantee, this is a great option for students committed to medicine and do not want to have to apply after their undergraduate education
- Have the opportunity to major in a field of interest even if it is not in the basic sciences!
- Fun city to live in
- For individuals interested in bioengineering, UPitt has a strong engineering program
- No MCAT requirement
Program Overview
For the first 4 years, you will be an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh at the Oakland campus and take your pre-med requirements as well as other courses for your bachelor’s degree. There is no restriction on what you can major in as long as you are able to satisfy the pre-requisite requirements and meet the GPA minimum.
In addition, students are expected to continue gaining both clinical exposure and pursue community service opportunities throughout their time as an undergraduate which is explained below! There are no added requirements for students in terms of extra courses compared to other pre-med students at the university.
For the remaining 4 years (Year 5 – Year 8), you will be at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine also located in Oakland taking courses to fulfill your M.D. degree. These include your pre-clinical coursework as well as clinical rotations at University of Pittsburg Medical Center and affiliate sites.
University of Pittsburgh BS MD Program Requirements:
In order to apply for the program:
- Students musthave a minimum SAT score of 1490 (Evidence-Based Reading & Writing, and Math sections only) from a single test date or a 34 composite ACT score (SAT II Subject Tests and AP tests are encouraged)
- Applicants should earn the highest GPA possible in their high school in the context of a curriculum showing academic rigor
- Applicants should demonstrate participation in school, community or other activities that demonstrate service and leadership along with exposure to medicine
University of Pittsburgh BS MD Program Application:
- Select Pre-medicine or bioengineering on the Common App or the University of Pittsburgh application during the initial application and submit all materials by November 15
- Eligible students will be invited to submit additional materials once the initial application has been received. Based on the review, select students will be invited for an in-person interview (early January) at the medical school which will include a tour
- Students will learn of the decision by April 15; there is no in-state bias for the program so out-of-state students are encouraged to apply
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For retention in the University of Pittsburgh BS MD program:
- Complete the four-year undergraduate curriculum and maintain at least 3.75 cumulative and science GPA
- Continue to gain relevant experiences (more details provided under advising)
- No MCAT exam is required provided above requirements are met
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The Insider’s View
on University of Pittsburgh BS MD Curriculum
How to get accepted to the University of Pittsburgh BS MD Program: In order to get accepted to University of Pittsburgh’s 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.
University of Pittsburgh BS MD Curriculum:
During your undergraduate years, you can major in anything.
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is known for its diverse student body and patient population, the backing of a nationally renowned research institution and a pre-clinical curriculum highlighted by a combination of lecture, small-group activities and experiential learning.
Students can get involved in a longitudinal research project, where you can work with a research project and have a faculty mentor throughout several years of medical school. Check out the class of 2020’s longitudinal research projects here. The research projects range a vast array of topics, from “Evaluation Of Neighborhood Walkability and Risk Factors For Cardiovascular Disease Among Recently Hospitalized Patients With Systolic Heart Failure” to “Poetry and The Patient Experience: How Does Art Influence The Medical Student-Patient Relationship” to “Beliefs and Practices Among Adults With Sickle Cell Disease Regarding Reproductive Health Decisions and Family Planning.”
At the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, students are very involved in the community. As one student wrote, “I’m a co-coordinator of the Family Medicine and Global Heath and Underserved Populations interest groups. In this role I plan and organize lunch talks and workshops for students, and am a resource to students interested in these fields. I have also volunteered at the Birmingham Clinic, one of my favorite activities. I am part of the Longitudinal Alliance Project which pairs students with a patient with chronic illness to follow throughout all 4 years of school. My patient is a lovely woman in her 80s. I’ve been with her to several doctor’s appointments, and have visited her home. It’s a great opportunity to get to know a patient well and learn about living with chronic illness. I took three mini-electives during my first year which were very rewarding–Intimate Partner Violence, Family Planning and one on treating addiction in primary care. They were a great complement to my courses.”
Learn more details about the University of Pittsburgh medical school’s curriculum.
Advising:
Students will meet with the director of the University of Pittsburgh Guaranteed Admissions Programs at least once a semester to discuss their progress in terms of medically related activities, research and community service. Students will also be given information about research opportunities that are available to them. In addition, students will meet with the pre-med advisor at least once a semester to discuss their academic progress. There is a collaborative environment not only with students in the same year but also between years to help students adjust. 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 University of Pittsburgh
(From University of Pittsburgh's Website)
Student Life
How to get accepted to the University of Pittsburgh BS MD Program: Articulate how you will take advantage of opportunities at the University of Pittsburgh 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.
University of Pittsburgh Undergraduate Student Life:
- Pitt is a large public university with an undergraduate enrollment of ~19,200 and total enrollment of around 28,500 with an average class size of 21. The student-faculty ratio is 14:1 and has a 6-year graduation rate of 83% (Fast facts)
- Pitt is focused on experiential learning with incredible opportunities for internships, co-ops (students in chemistry, engineering, computer science and information science) and numerous connections for study abroad opportunities (experience-based learning)
- At the center of its sprawling campus, stands the Cathedral of Learning (Cathy) which is known for its incredible architecture and unique nationality rooms. A number of classes are still taught there, and many student organizations host meetings there
- There are over 400+ extracurricular organizations from the Best Buddies program to dance teams, varsity, club and intramural sports as well as Greek life (Organizations)
- Almost all freshmen live on campus to try and build unity among incoming students
- Pittsburgh is huge sports city with Division I athletics at the collegiate level and a large fan base for its professional teams (Steelers, Pirates and Penguins)
- The city of Pittsburgh offers an exciting and urban learning environment. Students are given free access to public transportation throughout the city (included with tuition), allowing them the ability to explore the city
- The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is largely based in Oakland, Pennsylvania in the area surrounding Pitt’s campus, with some of its biggest hospitals right on campus (UPMC Presbyterian, Magee-Women’s Hospital, and more). This makes opportunities for undergraduate research, volunteering, etc. extremely accessible for students looking to get involved early in the medical field!
- With a number of Fortune 500 companies, low cost of living, incredible variety in cuisine and a rich history, it’s safe to say that Pittsburgh is a gem
Medical School Student Life:
- With a focus on the patient from day one, students have opportunities for early clinical exposure in the pre-clinical curriculum and 10 required clerkships make up the core of clinical education where students get a broad exposure to variety of specialties
- There are opportunities to enhance learning through mini electives, a longitudinal project spanning the 4 years and even to obtain a dual degree
- Fun fact: the polio vaccine was developed here by Dr. Jonas Salk!
Financial Aid
At Pitt, students are eligible for all merit and need-based scholarships as the regular applicant pool. At the medical school, students pay the regular rate and are eligible for financial aid consideration in accordance with the medical school.
Helpful Resources
Resources and Links:
- Official website of University of Pittsburgh Guaranteed Admission Program
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine on their official 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
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