What are the acceptance rates for BS/MD programs in 2024?

BS/MD programs are among the most competitive college application options in the country, sometimes even more selective than the Ivy League, mainly due to their small class sizes and high applicant volume.

For 2024, reliable acceptance rate data is still limited because most schools don’t publish exact numbers annually. However, based on recent cycles (2022–2024), it’s common for top BS/MD programs to have acceptance rates below 5%, and some are under 3%. For example, the highly ranked programs at Brown University (PLME), Case Western Reserve University, and Stony Brook's Scholars for Medicine see acceptance rates hovering around 2–3%. Programs like Rice/Baylor or Penn State/Jefferson (PMM) have reported rates between 2–5% in the past couple of years.

Here are some recent acceptance figures:
- Brown PLME: about 2–3%
- Stony Brook Scholars for Medicine: under 3%
- Penn State/Jefferson PMM: 3–5%
- RPI/Albany Med: 2–5%
- NJIT/New Jersey Medical School: 2–3%
- Boston University SMED: around 3–4%

For programs in the Northeast, most are in the 2–5% range, with some well under 2% depending on the year. Many receive hundreds or thousands of applications for just 10–40 spots. These statistics make them, in some cycles, even more competitive than Harvard, Yale, or Princeton undergrad admissions.

In terms of how the process feels: applicants usually report that it’s even more intense than regular undergrad. It isn't just about test scores or strong extracurriculars—you’re expected to show major commitment to medicine through research, shadowing, and healthcare volunteering.

When building your application list, it’s smart to treat BS/MDs as possible 'lottery tickets'—everyone applying is highly qualified, so having strong backups (honors programs, top undergrads with high med school placement) is crucial. An applicant with perfect stats, hospital volunteering, and summer research might not get admitted to a single BS/MD program, but receive acceptance from Ivy League schools. That’s how selective these programs have become.

If you want more specific stats for a program, checking their admissions website or emailing the program coordinator often gives the best up-to-date info. Best of luck with your applications—BS/MD is a tough pursuit, but even applying puts you among an ambitious group!