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MD Program: Special Pathways & Articulations


Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU) has special admissions pathways and articulation agreements with a variety of pipeline programs and institutions that are available to selected participating students. 

BS-MD Articulation Agreements


All candidates enrolled in BS-MD programs are expected to maintain involvement with CMSRU and community service experiences during the undergraduate phase of their programs. Participants will be expected to demonstrate resonance with the CMSRU mission.

BS-MD articulation agreements through Rowan University

3 + 4 BS-MD: This rigorous accelerated dual-degree program provides an opportunity for exceptional high school seniors to simultaneously apply for acceptance to Rowan University and CMSRU. For their undergraduate education, candidates may choose either the College of Engineering (Biomedical Engineering) or the College of Science and Mathematics at Rowan University. Applications are screened in January and interviews are conducted in late winter/early spring. All decisions regarding acceptance of students rest entirely in the hands of the CMSRU faculty, under the auspices of the Admissions Committee. A minimum of three students from each of the cohorts listed above will be accepted into the program each application cycle.

After three years, following successful completion of undergraduate academic requirements and extracurricular experiences, participating students are granted admission to CMSRU. Students participating in BS-MD pathway must still submit an AMCAS application to CMSRU by November 15 of their third undergraduate year, although they are not required to re-interview with the Admissions Committee.

BS in Biomedical Engineering-MD (4+i): This dual-degree program with the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Rowan University provides an alternate pathway for high school seniors who desire a non-accelerated (four-year) undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering followed by post-graduate medical education at CMSRU. Applications for the program must be submitted to Rowan University by December 15. Applications are screened in January and candidates will be notified of acceptance into the program by March. Up to four students may be accepted into the pathway each admissions cycle.

Program participants will be guaranteed an interview at CMRSU during their final undergraduate academic year if they have met the following criteria: 1) overall undergraduate GPA ≥ 3.7, 2) undergraduate science GPA ≥ 3.7, 3) total MCAT score ≥ 80th percentile, and 4) evidence of adequate clinical experiences and service activities. Students in the pathway who meet the above criteria will submit an AMCAS application to CMSRU in the spring/early summer prior to the start of their final academic year at Rowan, with medical school interviews occurring in the late summer/early fall.

If you are interested in learning more about BS-MD articulation agreements with Rowan University, please contact: 

Keyona Gonzalez-Walker, MS
Coordinator, Office of Pre-Health Programs
P: 856-256-4787 | walkerk@rowan.edu

Rowan University
201 Mullica Hill Rd.,
Glassboro, NJ 08028

BS-MD articulation agreements through Saint Joseph's University

4 + 4 BS-MD (4 students per year max): This degree program offers exceptional Saint Joseph's University students the opportunity to earn preliminary acceptance to CMSRU after their sophomore spring semester. Entry into the MD program requires completion of all undergraduate curricular and extracurricular requirements, candidates in this track must submit an application to CMSRU via AMCAS and successfully complete an interview with the CMSRU admissions committee.

If you are interested in learning more about this BS-MD articulation agreement with Saint Joseph's University, please contact:

Brianna Metzger
Pre-Health Director at Saint Joseph's University
Office of the Dean of College of Arts and Sciences
bmetzger@sju.edu
610-660-1148
215-596-7398

Special Pathways for PULSE Alumni


CMSRU offers special admissions pathways for alumni of our Premedical Urban Leaders Summer Enrichment (PULSE) program, including both MCAT-optional and MCAT-required routes. Selection of candidates for participation in either PULSE pathway is performed in conjunction with the Office of Diversity and Community Affairs, which will notify eligible PULSE candidates of the application process and specific requirements. PULSE pathway candidates are guaranteed an interview with acceptance to CMSRU contingent upon a successful interview with Admissions Committee. Requirements for participation in the PULSE pathways are outlined below.

MCAT optional (4 students per year max)
• Complete 2 sessions of PULSE
• Complete all CMSRU-required coursework
• Complete at least 90 undergraduate credit hours
• Maintain a cumulative undergraduate science GPA ≥ 3.4 (minimum of 35 credit hours)
• Maintain a cumulative undergraduate overall GPA ≥ 3.6

MCAT required (8 students per year max)
• Complete 1 session of PULSE
• Complete all CMSRU-required coursework
• Complete at least 90 undergraduate credit hours
• Maintain a cumulative undergraduate science GPA ≥ 3.4 (minimum of 35 credit hours)
• Maintain a cumulative undergraduate overall GPA ≥ 3.4
• Achieve an overall MCAT score of ≥ 60th percentile