How hard is it to get into the FDU dual BS/MD program?

First of all, it's totally normal to be stressed, but you're already ahead of the curve by looking into specific BS/MD programs during your junior year. You've also done great by gathering such an impressive list of extracurriculars and working hard to maintain a top-notch GPA! Your test scores could use some work, but for FDU I'd focus most intensely on building upon your research experience and course rigor.

The FDU dual BS/MD program is definitely a competitive pathway, but its selectivity can vary a bit from year to year depending on applicant volume and the quality of the pool. Generally, BS/MD programs attract students with extremely competitive academics (including GPA, test scores, and course rigor) as well as a clear demonstrated interest in medicine.

Your unweighted GPA of 3.8 and SAT score of 1450 are solid. Many successful applicants to FDU's program typically have GPAs in the high 3's (often 3.7+) and SATs above 1400. It’s reassuring that your stats put you in the ballpark, but keep in mind that this is an academically rigorous crowd. Especially for your STEM courses, it's essential to take plenty of AP, Honors, or IB courses, and to pursue bio to the highest level available at your school. If there are not a great many AP courses at your school, you'd be well-advised to pursue some dual enrollment college credit—which it sounds like you may already be aware of, if you're doing research at a local college.

Your extracurriculars (science club, hospital volunteering, and research) are highly relevant, and may help place you on the upper end of this competitive applicant pool. That said, just how much these ECs help will depend on factors such as how long you've been volunteering at the hospital and what sort of tasks you've done, what research you've conducted and what your position was in the research process (did you come up with it? did you assist? did you co-author anything that was published?). If possible, try to deepen your experiences, maybe by taking on a leadership role in your science club or organizing a health awareness event at your school. Unique, self-motivated experiences, even within common areas like volunteering, can really help you stand out. For example, if your hospital volunteering led to a specific moment in which you made an impact or learned something transformative, be sure to highlight that.

When it comes to the application essays, authenticity is key. Avoid generic statements about wanting to "help people." Instead, reflect on specific moments that shaped your desire to pursue medicine. Maybe there was a patient you interacted with whose story stuck with you, or a challenge you faced during your research that changed how you view healthcare. These kinds of details will make your essay memorable.

For interviews, be ready to articulate why you want to pursue a BS/MD program versus a traditional path, and make sure you are aware of exactly how that pathway works in that particular program. For FDU, they will likely be curious why you want to complete your medical school in Barbados. Practice responding to questions about your activities and medical motivations—interviewers love to see that you’ve made the most of your experiences, not just participated in them.

Lastly, don’t put too much pressure on yourself! The process is intense, but programs know you’re still in high school and don’t expect you to have everything figured out. Focus on being yourself and showing a true passion for medicine.