BA or BS/MD (3+4)
About the Program
A formal articulation agreement between the College of Liberal Arts of Drew University and the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) makes it possible for prospective first-year students to apply directly to a special, seven year dual-degree program in medicine.
Students are admitted simultaneously to both Drew and New Jersey Medical School. Successful candidates spend three years of study at Drew and four years at NJMS, completing both bachelor’s and M.D. degrees.
The Course of Study
Participants in this program may major in all but two areas (Art and Behavioral Science) at Drew, although many majors will require between one and four courses above and beyond the usual 16-18 credits per semester to be completed during the student’s three years at Drew. The additional course(s) may be completed through AP credit, additional work during one or more regular terms at Drew, or by summer study.
While the guidelines for the program state that each student must complete a required series of pre-medical courses at Drew (eight credits each of Biology, general Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Physics; and six credits of English), there is no requirement that the student be a biological or physical science major.
The required pre-medical courses must be completed within the three-year period at Drew as part of, or in addition to the requirements of the selected major and the general education requirements for the liberal arts degree to remain eligible for admission to the M.D. degree portion of the program and to attain the bachelor’s degree from Drew.
To retain guaranteed admission to New Jersey Medical School in the fourth year, students in the program must maintain an academic load of at least 14 credit hours each semester, and an overall grade point average of 3.4 (on a 4.0 scale) or better each semester. In addition, students must maintain a grade point average of 3.4 or better in all science classes taken each semester at Drew, with a minimum of B- in each of the required pre-medical courses. Finally, although no minimum score is required on the test for candidates who have remained in good academic standing, students must also sit for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) during their junior year.
Qualifications
- Unweighted 3.8 GPA
- SAT score of 1500 or higher (summing ONLY critical reading and math scores) or ACT score of 34 or higher must be on one administration of the exam
- Applicants will be selected for a personal interview with a member of the Office of College Admission staff on Drew’s campus
- Application and all materials required to complete the application must be received by November 1
- It is the student’s responsibility to schedule the interview, though interviews will not be scheduled prior to receipt of student’s qualifying SAT or ACT scores.
- Candidate must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States
Application
Apply for admission to the program on the Common Application. Select the Combined Degree Program: 7 year Medicine Program with the New Jersey Medical School and complete the essay question. Students applying to the dual-degree medical program will be automatically considered for the regular bachelor’s program. You do not need to reapply for the bachelor’s program if denied admission to the dual-degree program.
Dual-degree applicants must submit their application and all materials required to complete it by November 1. The Drew college admissions staff will conduct interviews and forward the applications of qualified candidates to NJMS. From among those candidates, the NJMS Admissions staff will select students for interviews on their campus in Newark. In early April, NJMS will notify candidates of their admission to the program. Students admitted to the program must notify Drew of their decision to enroll by May 1.
Consideration for Drew Merit Awards
Bachelor’s/M.D. candidates are eligible and will receive consideration for all Drew merit and recognition awards as well as a limited number of Trustees’ Scholarships.
Dual-Degree Program Obligation
If admitted to the dual-degree (bachelor’s/M.D.) Program, you are under no obligation to complete the program and attend NJMS. You may opt to complete the bachelor’s degree at Drew, graduating after the regular four years of study, and apply to any other medical school you wish. Please note: You may not, however, retain your guaranteed admission to NJMS as an option if you elect to submit your applications to other medical schools. As well, once at Drew, you may decide to change your mind completely regarding the desire to be a pre-medical student and simply choose another field of study to pursue.
For more information about the pre-medical program at Drew, including the dual degree bachelor’s/M.D. program, please contact:
Office of College Admission
Drew University
Madison, New Jersey 07940
Phone: 973/408-3739
Fax: 973/408-3068
E-mail: cadm@drew.edu
