About
the Program
The Combined BA/MD Degree Program is designed to help address the physician shortage in New Mexico by assembling a class of students who are broadly diverse and committed to serving as a physician in the New Mexico communities with the greatest need. This partnership program between The University of New Mexico College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Medicine is open to 28 New Mexico high school seniors planning to begin college the fall semester after their graduation.
Earn a Reserved Seat at the UNM School of Medicine
New Mexico students
selected for this special program will be enrolled in an eight-year
combined degree program at UNM, ultimately earning them both a Bachelor
of Arts and Medical Degree. Students will first earn a baccalaureate
degree through the UNM College of Arts and Sciences in a challenging
four-year curriculum specifically designed for them. Upon successfully
completing the undergraduate academic and eligibility requirements of
the program, students will then enter the UNM School of Medicine to
complete their doctor of medicine (M.D.) degree. Students who accept a
position in the BA/MD Program may not apply to other medical schools.
Admissions
It is recognized that New Mexico has unique problems in the delivery of health care, particularly in the distribution of health care personnel. The UNM School of Medicine believes that it has a responsibility to help meet the healthcare needs of the state by the selection of students who are likely to eventually practice medicine in areas of New Mexico which are under served.
- Students accepted to this program will be accomplished and motivated New Mexico high school seniors who have made a decision and personal commitment(1) to pursue a medical career in our rural or underserved areas.
- Only current New Mexico
high school seniors are eligible to apply to the BA/MD Program. There
will be a preference for, but not limited to, students who come from a
rural or medically underserved area, or who will contribute to the
diversity of the student body(2).
The Combined BA/MD Degree Program considers all aspects of an applicants background, experience and academic progress including:
·
Academic excellence
(Demonstrated by a ranking in the top 15% of the senior class and a Math
ACT subscore of 22 or higher, or Math SAT sub-score of 510 or higher.
Tests must be taken prior to
Nov. 15th).
· Community Involvement & Volunteer Service
· Potential to practice medicine in New Mexico
· Honors and Awards
· Extracurricular activities
· Letters of Recommendation
· Personal Statement
Undergraduate Curriculum
BA/MD students will pursue one of three degree
options, all of which emphasize coursework in the sciences and liberal
arts to provide a strong foundation for practicing medicine with
sensitivity to
New Mexicans and their public health and medical needs. Courses
relevant to the student’s future medical studies will be included
throughout their undergraduate curriculum. Included in the customized
curriculum will be five integrated health seminars and participation in
a summer community health project in a New Mexico rural or
medically-underserved community.
Student Support
To ensure a student’s undergraduate success and to better prepare them for their medical studies at the UNM School of Medicine, the following comprehensive support services are provided:
Ø Personalized Academic Advisement
Ø Individualized Tutoring and Group Supplemental Instruction
Ø Supplemental Scholarship and Financial Aid Package
Ø MCAT Preparatory Course
Ø Assignment of a UNM School of Medicine Faculty Mentor
Ø Wealth of Student Activities and Support Services
Community Partnerships
Physicians and other community leaders will help to recruit and mentor potential BA/MD applicants at the high school level. Once enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences, students will have the opportunity to develop a relationship with community mentor(s) by working on service-learning projects that address public health and medical needs in New Mexico. BA/MD students will also work with physician mentors in community-based clinical settings during their medical studies at the UNM School of Medicine.
Benefits of the BA/MD Program
Ø
Supportive undergraduate experience that offers
opportunities and seminars specifically
designed for BA/MD students.
Ø
Reserved seat at the UNM School of Medicine – consistently
recognized by
US News & World Report as one of the top-ranked programs in the
nation.
Ø Unique degree program that helps address the healthcare needs of New Mexico.
Ø
Class camaraderie among BA/MD peers.
(1)
Please refer to the following website link to view the Statement of
Commitment all BA/MD students are required to sign upon their
admission into the Program: http://hsc.unm.edu/som/combinedbamd/
(2) SOM Admissions Policy
Statement: http://hsc.unm.edu/som/admissions/appendix.shtml
An Invitation to Visit
We invite you to visit the campus to learn more about The University of New Mexico and the Combined BA/MD Degree Program. To schedule an informational appointment with a UNM Representative and a tour of main campus, please call the Office of Admissions and Recruitment Services. If you are interested, the Recruitment Office will also schedule you an appointment to meet with a representative of the Combined BA/MD Degree Program.
Office of Admissions and Recruitment Services
(505) 277-2260 Local
1-800-CALL UNM toll free
(1-800-225-5866 option 3)
Combined BA/MD Degree Program Office
(505) 925-4500 Local
1-877-977-BAMD toll free
The Combined BA/MD Degree Program is a partnership program between the UNM College of Arts & Sciences and the School of Medicine. It is designed to help alleviate the physician shortage around New Mexico by recruiting and enrolling motivated New Mexico students who are committed to practicing medicine in our communities with the greatest need. In the year 2010, the UNM School of Medicine will increase its class size from 75 to 100 students, with the 25 additional students coming from the BA/MD Program. The Program is open only for current New Mexico high school seniors to apply. Successful completion of the Program earns students both a Bachelor of Arts and Medical Degree in an eight-year timeframe.
Included in the undergraduate component of the
BA/MD Program is a challenging curriculum, comprehensive support
services and supplemental scholarship assistance covering the cost of
the undergraduate education. The BA/MD Program provides participating
students with a broad intellectual and academic foundation that will
facilitate their transition to the UNM School of Medicine and will
ultimately foster
well-rounded physicians with an informed understanding of the social,
cultural and demographic forces affecting the delivery of health care
and medicine in New Mexico.
Students accepted into the BA/MD Program are required to sign a "Statement of Commitment" form that will acknowledge and reinforce their understanding and commitment to the goals of the program, as well as their commitment to attend The University of New Mexico School of Medicine. (BA/MD students are not allowed to apply to other medical schools).
In the fall 2007 there will be two classes of students enrolled in the BA/MD Program at UNM. By being admitted into the BA/MD Program, the admissions committee acknowledges the high regard the students are held, as well as the potential seen in them as future physicians in New Mexico.
Revised
11.30.07
Web-Author Michelle Durham
