What are my chances of getting into the George Washington 7-Year BS/MD Program?
I'm a current high school junior who's really interested in the George Washington University 7-Year BS/MD program. My GPA is a 3.98 unweighted, and I’ve taken 7 AP classes so far with mostly As and a couple Bs. I scored a 1530 on the SAT and I have also been volunteering at a local hospital for over a year.
I’m captain of Science Olympiad at my school and did a research internship last summer, but I’m honestly pretty nervous because I’ve heard this program is insanely competitive. Does anyone know what makes an applicant stand out for GW’s accelerated medicine pathway? Would applying without a published research paper hurt my chances?
Any extra tips or examples from people who were accepted into the program would be really appreciated!
I’m captain of Science Olympiad at my school and did a research internship last summer, but I’m honestly pretty nervous because I’ve heard this program is insanely competitive. Does anyone know what makes an applicant stand out for GW’s accelerated medicine pathway? Would applying without a published research paper hurt my chances?
Any extra tips or examples from people who were accepted into the program would be really appreciated!
3 weeks ago
•
22 views
Sara Larner
• 3 weeks ago
Advisor
From the sound of things, you've done a lot of incredible work already! Being the Science Olympiad captain and completing that research internship will make an enormous difference in your application outcomes across the board. That said, it's true that George Washington University's 7-Year BS/MD program is one of the most competitive direct medical programs in the country. Acceptance rates are typically under 5%, and many of the applicants have exceptional academic records, strong test scores, and extensive extracurriculars related to medicine.
With a 3.98 unweighted GPA, 1530 SAT, and a rigorous lineup of AP courses, your academics are already in the range for serious consideration. Leadership in Science Olympiad and a research internship are also very strong application factors, and long-term hospital volunteering aligns well with what admission committees expect from future doctors—even if your research isn't published. While published research is a bonus, it's definitely not a requirement, especially for high school students. Admissions teams know opportunities and resources vary, so they're more interested in your genuine engagement with the work and what you learned from the experience.
It’s not just about the stats or checking boxes. What helps applicants stand out for GW’s BS/MD are characteristics like maturity, resilience, empathy, and clear motivation for pursuing medicine. You’ll want to demonstrate a sustained commitment to healthcare (which your hospital volunteering shows) and articulate why, exactly, you want to be a physician—not just that you like science or helping people, but what specifically inspires you about medicine. For example, one of my students who had a successful application season wrote about being there for a frightened patient during their own hospital volunteering rounds, and how this experience deepened their understanding of a physician's role and what it might mean to be a doctor and consistently work with patients who are having the worst day of their year. That student seriously considered if it was the field for them, and decided that yes, their passion outweighed the very real risk of emotional burnout.
Other standout elements include unique interests outside of medicine (such as music, art, or community initiatives), which help you come across as a well-rounded person, not just a “future doctor.” Interview preparation is also key, as the interview phase often makes or breaks applicants. Practice explaining specific, meaningful experiences and what they’ve taught you about yourself and the medical profession.
In summary: your stats are strong, and while a published research paper would strengthen your chances, a lack of a published research paper is absolutely not a disqualifying factor. It simply means that you will need to provide thoughtful insight into your existing experiences, and continue to build on your application strengths. Focus your application essays and interviews on what truly motivates you, the lessons you’ve learned, and the impact you hope to make. If you have any recent moments of challenge, change, or new enthusiasm, those can be excellent to reflect on as examples of personal growth.
Best of luck—keep building on your experiences and don’t underestimate the power of authentic storytelling in your application!
With a 3.98 unweighted GPA, 1530 SAT, and a rigorous lineup of AP courses, your academics are already in the range for serious consideration. Leadership in Science Olympiad and a research internship are also very strong application factors, and long-term hospital volunteering aligns well with what admission committees expect from future doctors—even if your research isn't published. While published research is a bonus, it's definitely not a requirement, especially for high school students. Admissions teams know opportunities and resources vary, so they're more interested in your genuine engagement with the work and what you learned from the experience.
It’s not just about the stats or checking boxes. What helps applicants stand out for GW’s BS/MD are characteristics like maturity, resilience, empathy, and clear motivation for pursuing medicine. You’ll want to demonstrate a sustained commitment to healthcare (which your hospital volunteering shows) and articulate why, exactly, you want to be a physician—not just that you like science or helping people, but what specifically inspires you about medicine. For example, one of my students who had a successful application season wrote about being there for a frightened patient during their own hospital volunteering rounds, and how this experience deepened their understanding of a physician's role and what it might mean to be a doctor and consistently work with patients who are having the worst day of their year. That student seriously considered if it was the field for them, and decided that yes, their passion outweighed the very real risk of emotional burnout.
Other standout elements include unique interests outside of medicine (such as music, art, or community initiatives), which help you come across as a well-rounded person, not just a “future doctor.” Interview preparation is also key, as the interview phase often makes or breaks applicants. Practice explaining specific, meaningful experiences and what they’ve taught you about yourself and the medical profession.
In summary: your stats are strong, and while a published research paper would strengthen your chances, a lack of a published research paper is absolutely not a disqualifying factor. It simply means that you will need to provide thoughtful insight into your existing experiences, and continue to build on your application strengths. Focus your application essays and interviews on what truly motivates you, the lessons you’ve learned, and the impact you hope to make. If you have any recent moments of challenge, change, or new enthusiasm, those can be excellent to reflect on as examples of personal growth.
Best of luck—keep building on your experiences and don’t underestimate the power of authentic storytelling in your application!
Sara Larner
Los Angeles, CA
Masters from USC; BA from Barnard College of Columbia University
Experience
8 years
Rating
4.9 (82 reviews)