Frequently Asked Questions
Some questions that Accelerated Premedical-Medical Program (BS/MD) Advisers are often asked.
Accelerated Premedical-Medical Program (BS/MD) Frequently Asked Questions
While the program does accept AP credit, it will not shorten the time in the program. The PMM curriculum requires three years at Penn State plus the first year of the medical curriculum successfully completed to earn your B.S. degree.
Yes, but if offered admission to PMM and the Schreyer Honors College only one offer can be accepted.
Yes to both! You can arrange research opportunities directly with faculty members who are conducting research in your areas of interest and choose from more than 50 countries to study abroad.
Yes, many PMM students add a minor, and it is encouraged by the program. Some students even pursue a concurrent major!
Current minors* students are pursuing (though minors are certainly not limited to these options):
Diversity and Inclusion in Health and Human Development, Psychology, Child Maltreatment and Advocacy Studies, Bioethics and Medical humanities, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Neuroscience, Political Science, Biomedical Engineering, Physics, Human Development and Family Studies, and Psychological Science.
Some students are also pursuing a Smeal College Business Fundamentals Certificate and a concurrent major in Comparative Literature*.
*Minors, certificates, and concurrent majors pursued will change with the interests of each student. This is just to provide an example of paths students have chosen while in the program.
Typically, 1-2 students of each entering cohort do not meet the MCAT and/or PMM academic performance levels. Subsequent advising is tailored to each student's situation and goals. Sometimes a PMM student changes their career objective but, overall, most students are successful in the program.
Yes, international students are welcome and encouraged to apply for the PMM program.
The MCAT is never taken prematurely to see what the exam is like. All test sittings are used by SKMC Jefferson even if taken prior to enrolling at Penn State. Most PMM students take the MCAT in their third year after required science courses.
The current MCAT requirement is a minimum composite score of 508 with no less than a 127 in each of these three subsections: Chemistry & Physical Foundations of Biological Systems; Biological & Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems; and Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behavior. A minimum composite score of 125 in the CARS subsection is also required.
Yes, students who are not accepted into the PMM Program are automatically considered for admission into the Eberly College of Science at Penn State. If you would like to be considered for admission to another college, please email the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to make that request.
