Hello! I've been looking at the BS/MD program at NJIT and Rutgers. And I'm curious – has anyone gone through the application and can shed some light on what the process is like? Any insights about the competitiveness and expectations?
Sure, I can provide some general insights about the NJIT/Rutgers BS/MD program. The BS/MD program is a partnership with the New Jersey Institute of Technology and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Under this program, students spend three years at the NJIT Albert Dorman Honors College and four years at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
Based on historical data, this program is extremely competitive. Around 25 students gain admission to the program each year. While NJIT nor Rutgers release explicit acceptance rates for the BS/MD program, you should expect it to be quite selective, likely accepting less than 10% of applicants, consistent with other competitive BS/MD programs.For a strong application, there are few things to remember. First, strong academic credentials are a must considering the competitiveness of the program. Traditionally, admitted students boast high GPA's and SAT/ACT scores. Although I do not have direct mentioned guidelines, a high percentage of students are in the top 5% of their class. Beyond scores, NJIT also looks for students who have deeply demonstrated their interest in the field of medicine, often through extracurricular activities such as research, hospital internships, volunteering at healthcare centers, or anything that gives them direct exposure to the medical field.
Lastly, as part of the application process, there will be a series of interviews, including one at NJIT and a potential one at Rutgers. It's critical to perform well on these, as they can be a determining factor in admissions decisions. For these interviews, you should be prepared to discuss your interest in medicine, your long-term career goals, and why you're a good fit for this specific program.
Remember, even though it is a competitive program, they are looking for a well-rounded individual who is compassionate, has a proven commitment to medicine, and can handle the rigorous coursework of both undergraduate and medical studies.
I hope this helps in shedding some light on this program!
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