What are my chances of getting into the Howard University BS/MD program and how should I prepare my application?

Question

I'm a rising senior interested in applying to Howard's BS/MD program and I'm starting to feel a bit overwhelmed. My GPA is a 3.85 unweighted and 4.3 weighted, and I've taken mostly AP and honors courses at my school. My SAT score is 1430, but I know Howard can be competitive, especially for the BS/MD track.

I'm involved in HOSA, do volunteer work at a local hospital, and I shadowed a pediatrician last summer. I'm also on the debate team and play tennis, but I'm not sure if that's enough for this type of program. Can anyone share what the admissions committee is really looking for, or tips on making my application stand out?

Anyone who's applied or researched Howard's BS/MD, I’d really appreciate your advice on essays or interviews, too. I'm eager to hear from people who have gone through the process or know someone who has.

Accepted Answer

Howard University's BS/MD program is definitely one of the more selective options for students interested in a direct medical pathway. Given your stats—an unweighted 3.85 GPA, strong rigor in AP/honors, and a 1430 SAT—you’re in a good position, but it’s also important to realize that for programs like BS/MD, the academic bar is just the starting point. Many applicants will look similar in grades and scores, so standing out comes down to your experiences, your essays, and your demonstrated passion for medicine.

Howard's College of Medicine and the BS/MD program in particular place a big emphasis on leadership, community service, and a strong commitment to addressing health disparities. Since you’re involved in HOSA, have hospital volunteering, and shadowing experience, you have the right foundation, but what’s next is showing depth. For instance, how did your hospital volunteering change your view on healthcare? Did you work on a specific project, help a community group, or notice a unique issue you want to address as a doctor? The admissions committee wants to see not just participation, but meaningful reflection and growth from these experiences.

Your activities outside medicine, like debate and tennis, help round you out. If you can link debate to skills like advocacy, public speaking, or critical thinking in a medical context, that’s even better. For example, maybe your debate background helped you advocate for better patient communication procedures at the hospital. Sharing this connection would show you’re drawing from all aspects of your life to prepare for physician-leadership roles.

In your essays, specificity is key. Avoid clichés and make sure your voice comes through. For example, don’t just say, “I want to help people.” Instead, share an anecdote about a patient or experience that changed your perspective. If you volunteered at a free clinic and saw firsthand how language barriers limited care, write about how that moment inspired you to learn medical Spanish or start a translation program with your hospital.

For interviews, expect questions on why you want to be a doctor, your understanding of underserved populations, and how you handle setbacks. Have a unique story ready—maybe a time you resolved conflict as a hospital volunteer or went the extra mile for a patient. Practice articulating not just what you did, but why it mattered to you and others.

Last, reach out to the admissions team or current students for insights (Howard sometimes offers virtual chats or Q&A sessions). This shows interest and can give you a better sense of what they value.

So, you’re absolutely in the running with strong academics and the right activities. The next step is to go deeper in your storytelling, tie your experiences back to Howard’s mission (serving underserved communities and promoting health equity), and reflect on how your background, both inside and outside medicine, uniquely prepares you for this program. That’s what will make your application stand out.