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Students following the 7-Year B.S./M.D. Track are required to major in biomedical sciences (BMS), according to the articulation agreement between the College of Arts & Sciences and the Morsani College of Medicine. However, many 7-Year students are also able to complete an academic minor in a different discipline.

Students must earn a 3.7 USF (and overall) GPA, as well as a 3.7 USF science and math ("BCPM") GPA, by the end of their first year at USF. This is one of the 7-Year Track/Year 1 benchmarks to continue on to the 7-Year B.S./M.D. Program. By the end of the second and third years of the program, students are required to present a 3.8 USF (and overall) GPA, as well as a 3.8 USF science and math ("BCPM") GPA. Please note that dual enrollment grades will count toward the overall GPAs and that grade forgiveness is not applicable. 

Yes, the MCAT is a requirement for the 7-Year B.S./M.D. program. The MCAT is a standardized test that assesses student preparation for medical school and is one of the most challenging tasks for pre-medical students. Students in the 7-Year B.S./M.D. program take the MCAT after the second year on campus. The benchmark until the undergraduate cohort of Fall 2025 is a 516 out of a possible 528; no individual exam sub-score can be lower than 125. Future benchmark scores, which are set by the Morsani College of Medicine, may be higher. 

There is no guarantee of admission in the 7-Year B.S./M.D. Program. However, students who successfully complete all first and second-year benchmarks – and meet the Morsani College of Medicine (MCOM) conditions for admission – are guaranteed a formal interview with MCOM in the fall of the third year. Upon successful completion of the interview, a student will receive a conditional acceptance to MCOM, pending completion of the third year of the program. Provided accepted students meet third year benchmarks, they will start medical school in the fall of the fourth year on campus.

In the past 5 years, about 70 students have entered each cohort. Of those 70, typically one-third have discontinued by choice, for a variety of reasons. Of the remaining, an average of 15 students have met the MCAT benchmark and completed the program.

Students may choose to discontinue the 7-Year Track any time, for any reason, during the first two years of the program. Many students opt out of the program because they want to pursue a major other than biomedical sciences, participate in a significant study abroad experience, or simply because they do not want the added pressure of accelerating the science curriculum required to complete the MCAT after two years. Opting out of the program will not negatively impact a student's chances of being accepted into the Morsani College of Medicine at a later date or graduating within four years.

The 7-Year B.S./M.D. Program is a true accelerated program in that the first year of medical school courses are used to fulfill the remaining undergraduate requirements. Therefore, 7-Year students do not receive the bachelor's degree until after the fourth year of the program (MS1). However, many students who opt out of the program (or do not meet the benchmarks) after Year 2 are still able to adjust their future schedules and graduate in three years. Individualized advising is offered to determine a student's best course of action.

International students are classified as non-residents. The Morsani College of Medicine (MCOM) requires students to be U.S. citizens or have permanent residency status. Students will need to document their status before they apply for admission to MCOM.

For Fall 2024 and beyond, students must enter USF with a minimum SAT score of 1500 or an ACT score of 34 to qualify for the program. The best composite score ("super score") will be considered. In addition to one of these test scores, students must present a 4.0 weighted high school GPA, as calculated by the USF Office of Undergraduate Admissions. For more information about GPA calculation, please visit the USF undergraduate admissions website.

No. The program is restricted to students who enter the Judy Genshaft Honors College as FTICs (first time in college students). Students pursuing second bachelor's degrees are also ineligible for the program. 

Yes, all FTIC students who meet initial eligibility requirements are able to follow the program. An Honors advisor will review each student's accelerated credits to determine which courses will be applicable to the program. Please note that credits, as well as the grades, transfer for all dual enrollment credits. Regardless of the number of credits students bring to USF, the 7-year program cannot be accelerated any further.

While many (if not all) accelerated mechanism credits will transfer to USF, the Morsani College of Medicine sets the standards as to which science and math credits will count toward the 7-Year BS/MD program. Credits for the appropriate level of Calculus and Statistics are applicable to the program. The College of Medicine will accept AP scores of 5 or IB scores of 7 for relevant science courses; an AP score of 4 (or IB score of 6) will be accepted for Calculus and Statistics courses. Students who enter with acceptable science coursework are permitted to count up to one year of one sequence of science. For example, if a student enters USF with one year of Biology and one year of Chemistry, the student must choose which sequence they will apply to the program (the second sequence must be repeated at USF).

You can (please note: these are subject to change for future cohorts). While many accelerated credits may count towards the General Education requirements at USF, the Morsani College of Medicine (MCOM) sets the standards as to which accelerated science and math credits will count toward the 7-year medical program*.

*Although you may be permitted to use accelerated science courses toward the 7-Year Program, the Morsani College of Medicine encourages students to complete all science courses at the university level to receive the best possible preparation.

Also be aware that while you may be granted credit toward your undergraduate degree at USF, other medical schools have policies regarding AP/IB/AICE that vary widely. You are strongly encouraged to check with specific medical schools.

Students interested in the field of medicine should complete a rigorous high school curriculum, including advanced coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics (calculus and statistics are preferred). Additionally, since the MCAT (medical college admissions test) now includes a section on psycho-social foundations of behavior, students are also encouraged to complete courses in the social and behavioral sciences. Since the MCAT is taken after the second year of the 7-Year Program, we strongly encourage students to consider enrolling in accelerated/dual enrollment credits in the areas of psychology, sociology, anthropology, math and/or English. The goal is for students to enter USF with some foundation courses fulfilled, so that they are able to enroll in more advanced MCAT preparatory courses during the first two years at USF.

Please send all questions and inquiries to Carter Harbert at harbert@usf.edu.

Students must complete a minimum of 75 hours of community service and 75 hours of medical observation by the end of the second year of the program. Please note, however, that a minimum of 50 hours of any combination of service and/or shadowing must be completed by the end of year one (by June 1).

Please note: although the 7-Year Program requires 150 hours of service and medical experience, it is recommended that students complete additional hours, not only to increase enrichment, but so that students are more prepared for the traditional medical application process, if necessary, in the future.

Community service is working with a community agency or non-profit organization, whether medically related or not. Volunteering can be identified as non-medical and medical categories. Examples of non-medical volunteering include clerical work and tutoring students. Examples of medical volunteering may include patient transport and patient language translation. The community service benchmark may be met with medical or non-medical community service/volunteer experiences.

A medical observation experience offers a student the ability to receive firsthand information about the medical field from medical professionals. The experience can include, but is not limited to, the shadowing of physicians around hospital facilities and/or medical offices, observing medical procedures, engaging in dialogue, and discussing current trends in medicine as well as the future of the field. Medical observation is also known as "shadowing." We recommend that students shadow two to three physicians practicing different fields of medicine.

Yes, students may shadow physicians in a foreign country; however, shadowing outside the United States should count for no more than 20 of the 75 required hours. There is no limit on the number of hours students can shadow a foreign physician who is licensed to practice in the United States.

Note: The primary purpose of a student clinical experience is observation, not hands-on treatment. You are there to learn, not to treat.

Students who desire to pursue a career in medicine and health care must understand that the field is demanding and is service oriented. The act of service includes helping patients, colleagues, and the community at large. Additionally, students should gain familiarity with the medical field and its specialties, as well as with the diverse nature of medical environments. It is important for one to gain practical knowledge and experience regarding what a career in medicine will entail prior to applying and attending medical school. Shadowing is also the best way for students to confirm that they truly want to become doctors.

Any service and/or shadowing hours completed after graduation from high school will be applicable to the medical school application. Students are encouraged to start working on these experiences the summer prior to entering USF. To document these hours, students should request an electronic form (PDF) by email: harbert@usf.edu.

All 7-Year students must complete a minimum of two semesters of biomedical/health-related research prior to the end of the third year of the program. The research can be lab and/or clinically based. A total of 270 hours (typically 9 hours per week, 15 weeks each semester) must be documented.

Students should start contacting prospective research mentors no later than spring of the second year on campus.

Based on the nature of the project, mentors may require students to learn basic lab techniques prior to beginning the research project. Therefore, students should make sure they allot plenty of time to plan and coordinate their projects. The earlier students begin research, the more enrichment they will receive. Additionally, participating in research oftentimes helps students prepare for the critical thinking aspects of the MCAT.

Please note: all students need pre-approval of their research projects to confirm suitability for the program. To do so, students need to submit an electronic research form (PDF) which may be obtained by request: harbert@usf.edu.

Yes, since 7-Year students do not earn the bachelor's degree after the third year, they are still eligible to receive some undergraduate aid during the first year of medical school. However, please note that the award amounts do not increase to cover the higher cost of medical school tuition. Students are eligible for the same award amounts they receive during the first three years of the program. One of the benefits of this program is that the ability to use undergraduate aid will reduce the amount of loans required of students during the first year of medical school.

No. Students in the program need to strictly adhere to the academic plan provided by B.S./M.D. advisors; the plan is created so that Morsani College of Medicine courses (MS1) are necessary to complete the degree. Students who complete all degree requirements after the third year will be required to graduate, and will, therefore, be ineligible for undergraduate funding. The one exception to this policy is that 91ÉçÇø Bright Futures will fund up to one semester of graduate/professional level education (at the undergraduate rate) if students complete the bachelor's degree in 7 semesters or less. More information about this option may be found on the Bright Futures website.

Students in the program complete an official application through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) during the summer between the second and third year on campus. A 7-Year advisor will share specific deadlines with students during the application workshop (which typically takes place in late fall of the second year of the program).

The primary application includes biographical information, college level coursework, the personal statement, the list of faculty members/professionals who will be submitting letters of recommendation, and any previous MCAT scores (or the date when a student has taken, or will take, the MCAT).

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For the 7-Year program, students need to submit a minimum of three (five is recommended) letters of recommendation, which accompany the secondary medical school application: at least one letter is to be submitted by faculty members who have taught students in science or math courses; the other letter(s) should be written by a non-science/math faculty member the student has had in class and/or be a character letter that, ideally, is written by research mentors, physicians shadowed, or community service coordinators (work supervisors are also accepted). Regardless of the recommender or type of letter, the goal is for students to select professionals who know them well and can address the student's individual talents and characteristics.

Please note: Beginning with the first semester on campus, students should start making meaningful connections with faculty members.

No. Students who meet all benchmarks in the 7-Year B.S./M.D. Program will apply as Early Decision applicants and, upon admission, matriculate at USF's Morsani College of Medicine.

Yes. All 7-Year B.S./M.D. students who meet the benchmarks must complete a formal interview with the Morsani College of Medicine. This process allows admissions committee members the opportunity to add depth to a student's application, to determine if the student is prepared for medical school, and to gain insight as to whether or not the student will be a good fit for the program. An Early Decision 7-Year B.S./M.D. applicant will typically be interviewed in September of the third year on campus.

Once students complete the formal interview process, they will be notified by the Morsani College of Medicine with the admissions decision. As EDP applicants, this typically takes place a few weeks after the interview and by October 1. Please note that an acceptance is conditional upon students completing all remaining program benchmarks by the end of the third year (including academic, research and GPA benchmarks).

There is no guarantee a deferral will be approved, but it is possible. The decision will be made by the Morsani College of Medicine. Upon receiving your acceptance, you would need to submit an official request for a one-year deferral.