Applying to medical school in order to become a doctor is hard. The process itself is long and difficult, and the steps you need to take to begin this process often must start years earlier in undergrad, including securing research positions, building relationships with professors, and mastering all the material needed to ace the MCAT. BS MD programs, which offer conditional acceptance to medical school, cut down on much of that stress by moving it far earlier in the application process. We discuss these programs here. In Houston, however, there is a remarkable BS MD opportunity unlike much else we have seen. DeBakey High School for Health Professions, in partnership with the University of Houston and the Baylor College of Medicine, offers a BS MD program solely for DeBakey students called the Houston Premedical Academy. This is an incredible and highly competitive opportunity. In this article, we review what this program is, how it works, and how you can take part in it.
Understanding the Houston Premedical Academy
The Houston Premedical Academy is a three way partnership and is likely unique for that reason alone. It is difficult enough to get two universities to align to create a BS MD program, and adding a high school into the mix demonstrates an impressive level of administrative alignment. The program combines three distinct components.
The first is DeBakey High School for Health Professions, a specialized magnet high school in Houston devoted specifically to the medical field. It offers significant specialized coursework and opportunities not normally available to high school students.
The second is the University of Houston Honors College. This is a strong honors program where students complete a full suite of premed coursework along with advanced seminar courses and enhanced opportunities to pursue research.
The third is Baylor College of Medicine. Students admitted to this program are offered conditional acceptance to Baylor. If they fulfill all program requirements, they are admitted.
Students apply to this program during their senior year at DeBakey. While at the University of Houston, students are treated like any other Honors College students, though they must complete specific course prerequisites.
This program accepts six students each year. Students must maintain good academic standing within the Honors College and complete the honors specific minor in Medicine and Society. They may major in any program available at the University of Houston. Many choose biology or chemistry, but this is not required as long as all premedical coursework is completed.
Applying to the Houston Premedical Academy
As with all BS MD applications, this is an intense process designed to ensure that applicants are fully qualified and committed to the long path ahead. Applicants must complete four separate applications.
The University of Houston application
The University of Houston Honors College application
The Houston Premedical Academy application
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA
The University of Houston application is straightforward and may be completed through the Common App. It does not require supplemental essays beyond the personal statement. The Honors College application requires a writing sample, ideally a three to five page paper written in high school. DeBakey students typically have several strong options to choose from.
The FAFSA must be completed regardless of whether financial aid is needed. It involves a significant amount of paperwork but is required for the application to be considered complete.
The Premedical Academy application is its own separate form. It must be completed in full and is due by the end of January. Applicants must be admitted to both the University of Houston and the Honors College before the application is considered complete, so early submission is strongly advised.
Completing the Houston Premedical Academy Application
The first section of the application is demographic and requests basic identifying and contact information. Applicants must provide their University of Houston ID number, which is issued after submitting the UH application.
Parental information is also required. This may repeat information from the Common App but must still be completed accurately.
Official transcripts from DeBakey must be submitted directly by the school counselor. Applicants must also self report GPA and standardized test scores exactly as they appear on official records.
Honors, Awards, and Activities
Applicants must list honors and activities, much like the Common App. There are no strict word limits, but responses should be concise. Brief context may be provided for awards or activities that are uncommon.
Applicants must list five significant honors or awards, four important organizations or service activities, and up to six total activities. While organized slightly differently from the Common App, the total number of entries is similar. Reusing Common App responses where appropriate is recommended.
Short Answer Questions
The program requires four short answer responses of up to 500 words each. These essays are typical of BS MD programs and are used to assess motivation, values, and readiness for a medical career.
The first asks what aspirations, experiences, or relationships have motivated the applicant to pursue the eight year UH Baylor Medical Scholars Program. Applicants should discuss concrete experiences with medicine, including clinical exposure, shadowing, research, or personal experiences that confirmed their interest.
The second asks applicants to describe who they are and what background or story is central to their identity. This functions similarly to a diversity essay and may focus on any aspect of identity that has shaped the applicant and is not fully addressed elsewhere.
The third asks applicants to list three issues confronting medicine today and explain which is most important and why. There is no single correct answer. The focus is on reasoning, values, and the ability to support an argument.
The fourth asks applicants to describe an adversity they have faced, how they dealt with it, and how it affected them. The emphasis is on resilience, problem solving, and personal growth rather than the severity of the challenge.
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation. Two must come from DeBakey teachers. The third may come from another teacher or an adult mentor such as a supervisor, research mentor, or faculty member. Family members may not serve as recommenders.
Recommenders should always be asked in advance to ensure they are willing to write strong letters.
Interview
After applications are reviewed, selected applicants are invited to interview with Baylor College of Medicine admissions officers. This interview follows a format similar to medical school or BS MD interviews and is a critical factor in final admissions decisions.
Final Thoughts
This program is limited to students who attend DeBakey High School in Houston. Due to the small applicant pool, it likely has a higher acceptance rate than many BS MD programs, though exact figures are not published. DeBakey students interested in becoming physicians should strongly consider applying.
Students who do not currently attend DeBakey but are interested in medicine may also consider applying to DeBakey itself. Its specialized curriculum provides an excellent foundation for a medical career.
For students seeking guidance on applying to DeBakey, BS MD programs, or medical school more broadly, Ivy Scholars offers mentorship across every stage of the process, from activity planning to essay development. A free consultation is available for those who would like support.
