FAQs

Both the one- and two-year options are designed to be record-enhancing programs to make students more qualified applicants to medical school. The one-year program is for students with MCAT scores of 503 and above, who have already engaged in clinical shadowing and volunteer activities and who are primarily looking to enhance their academic record. The two-year program is for students whose MCAT scores are 496 and above, and who may have less volunteer experience. Students in both options will take 4 courses with first-year medical students and will work with Standardized Patients. The two-year option will also include volunteer experiences, MCAT preparation, and two Public Health (M.P.H.) and one Physician Assistant ethics course to further prepare for the MCAT exam at the end of the first year.

MCAT scores must be received (not in progress) by the application deadline (June 1 or June 30, depending on the program). All applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible to benefit from the personal application consultation from our staff.

Oldest MCAT scores accepted vary by medical school. Students should check with medical schools directly to determine if their MCAT score is still valid.

We do not recommend that students try to work while in the program. The goal of the program is to show that you can handle the rigor of medical school, and students in the past who have tried to work have not been as successful as some of their classmates.

No, an interview is not required. However, if you would like to talk to someone about your individual credentials, our Program Director would be happy to hear from you.

No, we cannot promise that you will be accepted at our medical school. However, in the last five years of the program, approximately 90% of all graduates have been accepted into a medical school.

Below is a list of some of the MD and DO schools our students have been accepted to:

• Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University
• Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Albany Medical College
• California Northstate University College of Medicine
• Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
• DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Des Moines University School of Osteopathic Medicine
• Drexel University College of Medicine
• East Tennessee School of Medicine
• Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
• George Washington University
• Howard University College of Medicine
• Jefferson Medical College - Thomas Jefferson University
• Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
• Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Marshall University
• Medical College of Georgia
• Meharry School of Medicine
• New York Institute of Technology School of Osteopathic Medicine
• Penn State College of Medicine
• Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
• Rutgers University Robert Wood Johnson Medical School 
• School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
• State University of New York
• Stony Brook University School of Medicine
• The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University
• Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine California
• Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Middletown
• Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Nevada
• Tufts University
• Tufts University School of Dentistry
• Tulane University School of Medicine
• Uniformed Services Medical School
• University of Alabama MD/PhD program
• University of California Riverside School of Medicine
• University of California San Francisco
• University of Cincinnati
• University of Indiana
• University of Nevada School of Medicine
• University of North Carolina
• University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
• University of Oregon
• University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine
• University of Tennessee
• University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Science
• University of Utah School of Medicine
• University of Virginia
• Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
• Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
• Wake Forest School of Medicine
• Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• West Virginia School of Medicine

Students in the Biomedical Sciences - Medical program can interview for the MD program as long as they have at least a 503 MCAT score and at least a 3.2 GPA in the Biomedical Sciences - Medical program at the end of the Fall semester. Students who have graduated from the Biomedical Sciences - Medical program must have a 3.2 cumulative GPA from the program and a 503 MCAT.

Graduates of the Biomedical Sciences - Medical program accepted into the institute's MD program may be eligible to opt out of the medical school courses that they received the equivalent of honors in. Cutoffs are determined by the course directors. Students go through the Opt-Out Committee and propose other activities to fill their time. Examples of these activities include: Research, tutoring (paid) and teaching assistant positions (paid). Students who participate in opt-out activities often become leaders in their class and further distinguish themselves for residency applications.

The June 30 deadline is definite and we do not accept applications after that date. We will, however, accept supporting materials after that date, such as letters of recommendation. The application cycle for the program begins September 1 and we review applications on a rolling basis. Please give us a call if you have questions about your application at 757-446-5944.

No, we do not specifically reserve seats for Virginia residents.

A car is not required, but may be helpful for transportation to and from community engaged learning activities or potential shadowing opportunities should they arise.

Once your application is verified and complete, we make every effort to have the Admissions Committee review it within two weeks.

One-year program: Yes, we encourage students to apply to medical schools in the summer before matriculating into the Biomedical Sciences - Medical program. If at all possible, you’ll want to have your secondaries complete before you arrive so you don’t need to take time away from your studies. If you are applying to medical school, please make sure that you indicate you will be in the Biomedical Sciences - Medical program. Our students automatically receive a secondary from the school; you can send it in during winter break. We can send a status letter through AMCAS when you arrive to let schools know you are in our program. In late December or early January, we will send a letter of recommendation with your first semester grades, along with all the activities you’ve been involved with on campus.

Two-year program: Students will be encouraged to apply to medical school in the summer before the second year of this program after they’ve received their new MCAT scores. The school's advisor will assist students with the application process and will provide letters of reference.

Generally the 1 year class is 50-60 students, while each 2 year class is 10-15 students.

We encourage applicants to contact our staff if they are unsure which option they should apply for. The staff can look over your credentials and make a recommendation. If your one-year application does not meet the qualifications for the program or we feel that you would be better suited for the two-year option, we will let you know and you can apply for the two-year option. Application fee waivers will be awarded on a case-by-case basis for those who apply to both, and all materials received by admissions can easily be transferred to the new application.

Our program's academic year begins in August and our students graduate in May (of the same year for 1-year students and the following year for 2-year students). There is no flexible scheduling for stopping and starting the program as our students take courses with the medical students and other school of health professions programs.

The vast majority of students in the one-year program will submit their primary medical school applications in the summer before starting the program, interview during the year, and hopefully accepted to medical schools sometime between October and June. That way, there is not another year gap between the program and matriculating into medical school. Our two-year students will submit their primary application in the summer between year one and year two.