How competitive is the Temple University BS/MD program and what do accepted students' profiles look like?
I recently found out about the BS/MD program at Temple University and it seems like an amazing opportunity for students interested in medicine. However, I've read mixed things about how hard it is to get in and what kind of GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and extracurriculars the successful applicants typically have.
Does anyone have any insight on how selective the program really is? If anyone here has been accepted or knows someone who has, I would love to hear a bit about what your stats and activities were like. I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed because I’m trying to figure out if it’s realistic for me to apply.
Any advice or personal experiences would be super helpful right now as I start building my college list.
Does anyone have any insight on how selective the program really is? If anyone here has been accepted or knows someone who has, I would love to hear a bit about what your stats and activities were like. I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed because I’m trying to figure out if it’s realistic for me to apply.
Any advice or personal experiences would be super helpful right now as I start building my college list.
6 days ago
•
22 views
Sara Larner
• 6 days ago
Advisor
Temple University's BA-BS/MD program, officially known as the Pre-Med Health Scholar Program (with some tracks allowing for a provisional acceptance to the Temple Lewis Katz School of Medicine), is quite competitive, although it sometimes gets overshadowed by similar programs at more nationally-known schools. Still, you're right to notice the bar is set pretty high.
The acceptance rate is not public, but it's estimated to be in the low single digits to around 3% - 5%. Temple's BA-BS/MD program requires a minimum combined SAT score of 1350, with no individual section less than 600, or a minimum ACT score of 31. Successful applicants typically have a very strong academic record. We're talking about unweighted GPAs around 3.8-4.0, mostly A’s in rigorous classes (lots of AP, IB, or Honors courses if available), and science/math grades are especially scrutinized. For test scores, students generally submit SAT scores in the 1400-1550+ range or ACT scores of 32-35, though the middle 50% may fluctuate year to year. Keep in mind, Temple has sometimes gone test-optional, but for BS/MD programs, high test scores are still a big plus if you have them.
Extracurriculars matter a lot. Typical profiles include heavy involvement in science or health-related activities, but also depth, leadership, and/or unique experiences. For example, one admitted student I talked to had volunteered at a hospital for two summers, conducted biology research at a local university, was president of the Science Olympiad club, shadowed a family doctor, and led a school project to raise awareness about healthcare disparities. Another applicant was a state-level Science Fair winner, started a mentorship club for younger students interested in healthcare, and worked as an EMT assistant. Strong communication skills and a demonstrated commitment to medicine, especially through hands-on and community-oriented activities, seem to stand out.
Your essays are key—they want to see real motivation for pursuing medicine at an early stage and evidence that you understand what a career as a physician involves. Try to highlight experiences where you made a tangible impact or showed compassion, curiosity, or perseverance. Letters of recommendation should also specifically speak to your aptitude for a medical career.
It is competitive, but if your academics are strong and you have genuine, meaningful health-related experience, you should definitely consider applying. If you’re a bit short on one metric but have an unusually compelling story or achievement (especially something community-focused or unique), you might still be a strong candidate. Let your passion and your "why" for medicine shine through in every part of your application. So, focus on substance and authenticity as you weigh your strengths!
The acceptance rate is not public, but it's estimated to be in the low single digits to around 3% - 5%. Temple's BA-BS/MD program requires a minimum combined SAT score of 1350, with no individual section less than 600, or a minimum ACT score of 31. Successful applicants typically have a very strong academic record. We're talking about unweighted GPAs around 3.8-4.0, mostly A’s in rigorous classes (lots of AP, IB, or Honors courses if available), and science/math grades are especially scrutinized. For test scores, students generally submit SAT scores in the 1400-1550+ range or ACT scores of 32-35, though the middle 50% may fluctuate year to year. Keep in mind, Temple has sometimes gone test-optional, but for BS/MD programs, high test scores are still a big plus if you have them.
Extracurriculars matter a lot. Typical profiles include heavy involvement in science or health-related activities, but also depth, leadership, and/or unique experiences. For example, one admitted student I talked to had volunteered at a hospital for two summers, conducted biology research at a local university, was president of the Science Olympiad club, shadowed a family doctor, and led a school project to raise awareness about healthcare disparities. Another applicant was a state-level Science Fair winner, started a mentorship club for younger students interested in healthcare, and worked as an EMT assistant. Strong communication skills and a demonstrated commitment to medicine, especially through hands-on and community-oriented activities, seem to stand out.
Your essays are key—they want to see real motivation for pursuing medicine at an early stage and evidence that you understand what a career as a physician involves. Try to highlight experiences where you made a tangible impact or showed compassion, curiosity, or perseverance. Letters of recommendation should also specifically speak to your aptitude for a medical career.
It is competitive, but if your academics are strong and you have genuine, meaningful health-related experience, you should definitely consider applying. If you’re a bit short on one metric but have an unusually compelling story or achievement (especially something community-focused or unique), you might still be a strong candidate. Let your passion and your "why" for medicine shine through in every part of your application. So, focus on substance and authenticity as you weigh your strengths!
Sara Larner
Los Angeles, CA
Masters from USC; BA from Barnard College of Columbia University
Experience
8 years
Rating
4.9 (84 reviews)