Baylor University: Pathway To Medicine And Doctorates

Baylor University in Waco, Texas, offers a combined 8-year baccalaureate/MD program for high-achieving undergraduate students. The Baylor²Baylor Medical Program grants six outstanding high school students provisional acceptance to Baylor College of Medicine upon matriculation to Baylor University. The program is designed for high school seniors who rank in the top 5% of their graduating class or possess a minimum 3.7 GPA on a 4.0 scale. The acceptance rate for Baylor College of Medicine is 4.3% overall, with a 13% in-state acceptance rate and a 1% out-of-state acceptance rate.

Baylor University and Baylor College of Medicine

Baylor College of Medicine is a highly selective private medical school in Houston, Texas, with an acceptance rate of around 4%. It is ranked as a tier 1 school for research and a tier 3 school for primary care. The college offers a range of programs, including the M.D. program, as well as dual-degree programs such as M.D./Ph.D., M.D./M.P.H., M.D./M.B.A., and M.D./J.D. The school has a diverse range of affiliated teaching hospitals and research institutes, including Texas Children's Hospital and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Baylor University, on the other hand, is located in Waco, Texas. The university offers a Baylor²Baylor Medical Program, which is a combined 8-year baccalaureate/MD program for high-achieving undergraduate students. Through this program, Baylor University and Baylor College of Medicine grant six outstanding high school students provisional acceptance to Baylor College of Medicine upon matriculation to Baylor University. These students are required to maintain high academic standards and participate in all traditional pre-med coursework at Baylor University. They must also take the MCAT and earn a minimum score of 508 to be eligible for matriculation to Baylor College of Medicine.

Acceptance rate

The Baylor College of Medicine is a highly selective institution with a low acceptance rate. The exact acceptance rate varies across sources, with figures of 2%, 3.5%, 3.6%, and 4.3% all being reported. The in-state acceptance rate is reportedly around 13%, while the out-of-state acceptance rate is approximately 1%.

The school's low acceptance rate is due in part to the small number of students it accepts each year. Baylor Med receives far fewer applications than many of its peer institutions, with figures ranging from just over 400 to 13,000 applications per year. This means that the low acceptance rate still results in a small number of accepted students, with estimates ranging from 12 to 14 students annually.

To be considered for admission to Baylor College of Medicine, applicants must submit a completed application, letters of evaluation, MCAT scores, and Casper scores. While there is no minimum GPA or MCAT score requirement, successful applicants tend to have high scores. The average MCAT score for accepted students is 518, and the median GPA is reported as 3.9 or 3.93.

In addition to strong academic credentials, Baylor College of Medicine seeks applicants who demonstrate a commitment to service, exposure to diverse opportunities and experiences, intellectual ability, and an interest in medicine. The school also requires applicants to complete certain prerequisite coursework, including mathematics, expository writing, humanities/behavioural sciences, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and biology.

The rigorous admissions process at Baylor College of Medicine ensures that only the most qualified candidates are accepted into its medical programs. With its low acceptance rate, high academic standards, and competitive applicant pool, Baylor College of Medicine maintains its reputation as a top-tier medical school.

Application process

The application process for the pre-med program at Baylor University is outlined below.

Step 1: Choose Your Application Deadline

You can choose from the following options:

• Early Decision: Binding for students who commit to attending Baylor if accepted, with a decision by December 15.
• Early Action: Non-binding, with a decision by February 1.
• Regular Admission: Non-binding, receive a decision by April 10.

Step 2: Choose Your Application Method

Baylor University prefers applicants to apply through the Baylor Online App or Common App. The other option is ApplyTexas, though most applicants opt for the former two.

Step 3: Review the Application Checklist

Log in to your goBAYLOR account to see which items are required and what is needed to complete your file by the deadline. Required documents include:

• Completed Application for Admission: This can be done through the Baylor Online Application, Common Application, or ApplyTexas.
• Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR): This allows you to self-report your academic information, including coursework and grades, to be considered more holistically.
• High School Transcript: Transcripts must be received or postmarked by the application deadline. Official transcripts include the school's official seal or the signature of a school administrator.
• Test Scores (Optional): Students are not required to submit standardized test scores for admission.
• Apply for Financial Aid: To be considered for the maximum amount of financial aid, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile.
• Other Requirements (As Needed): Other steps may be required based on individual circumstances, such as early graduation or a break in education.
• Recommended Items: These include two Letters of Recommendation and a Short Answer Response (required for Early Decision applicants).

Step 4: Submit Your Application Materials

Application materials can be submitted online or mailed to the Undergraduate Admissions office at Baylor University.

Ranking

Baylor College of Medicine is a highly ranked medical school, both nationally and globally. In this section, we will take a closer look at its rankings in various categories and how it compares to other medical schools.

US News and World Report Rankings

Baylor College of Medicine is ranked highly by US News and World Report, a reputable source for educational rankings. The school is placed in Tier 1 for research, indicating its strong performance and recognition in this area. However, it is ranked slightly lower in Tier 3 for primary care. This ranking system assesses schools based on a range of indicators of excellence, and Baylor's placement in the top tiers showcases its overall quality and reputation.

Graduate Programs in Biological Sciences

In a 2022 survey, Baylor College of Medicine was ranked among the top 25 graduate programs in Biological Sciences in the United States. This ranking highlights the strength of its academic programs and research opportunities in the biological sciences, which are a fundamental aspect of medical education.

School of Health Professions

The School of Health Professions at Baylor has achieved notable rankings for some of its specific programs. The Physician Assistant Program is currently ranked 3rd among the nation's physician assistant programs by U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, the Graduate Program in Nurse Anesthesia is ranked 2nd in the nation among training programs in nurse anaesthesia. These rankings showcase the quality of education and training that Baylor provides in these specialised healthcare fields.

National School of Tropical Medicine

The National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor stands out as the only school in the nation dedicated exclusively to patient care, research, education, and policy related to neglected tropical diseases. This unique focus has established Baylor as a leader in this specific area of medicine.

Overall Rankings and Recognition

Baylor College of Medicine is consistently recognised as one of the top private medical schools in the country. It is also known for its affordability, being ranked as the third least expensive private medical school in terms of tuition fees. Additionally, Baylor is part of the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world, which further enhances its reputation and research capabilities.

In summary, Baylor College of Medicine consistently achieves high rankings across various categories, reflecting its excellence in medical education, research, and patient care. Its recognition as a top-tier institution, both nationally and globally, solidifies its position as a leading choice for aspiring medical professionals.

Tuition fees

In addition to these direct costs, Baylor estimates that students will incur approximately $39,570 in indirect educational expenses per year, including room and board, transportation, and other miscellaneous costs.

The Baylor College of Medicine is ranked as the third least expensive private medical school in the country in terms of tuition. It is also the least expensive private school in the nation, with students graduating with less debt than the average. For example, the average debt for students at Baylor is $106,344, compared to the average debt for public and private medical schools, which is $188,730 and $209,367, respectively.

To help students with the cost of their education, Baylor offers financial assistance through federal and institutional loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. The Office of Student Financial Aid assists students with the application process and determines their eligibility for these programs.

The Cost of Attendance (CoA) is the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive while studying at Baylor. The CoA includes both direct expenses billed by the college, such as tuition, fees, and insurance, as well as estimated costs of living, such as housing, food, and transportation.

Students are required to participate in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) offered by the school unless they have a comparable plan and have received a waiver. The health insurance cost is $498 per month, or $468.25 per month for the 2022-23 academic year.

There are additional fees that students are required to pay, including the Curriculum Resources Fee, the Student Affairs Resources Fee, the Academic Success Center Fee, the Malpractice Insurance fee, the Student Activities Fee, the Student Services Fee, the Yearbook Fee, and the Graduation Fee. Some of these fees are only assessed during specific semesters.

For international students, there is an additional annual Visa Fee of $75 for an F-1 Visa or $100 for a J-1 Visa.

The Baylor College of Medicine offers a variety of dual-degree programs that may impact the cost of tuition. These include:

• MD-PhD with the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
• MD-MPH with the UTHealth School of Public Health
• MD-MBA with Rice University Jesse H. Jones School of Business
• MD-JD with the University of Houston Law Center

The Baylor College of Medicine also has a Medical Scientist Training Program, a federally sponsored and highly competitive program that allows students to study for a combined MD and Ph.D. in a medical science. This program provides free tuition and a stipend of $29,000 per academic year.

Frequently asked questions