How to Get Into the Baylor College of Medicine: Requirements and Strategies
/How hard is it to get into the Baylor College of Medicine? Learn the Baylor Medical School acceptance rate, admissions requirements, and read Baylor secondary application essay examples
baylor college of medicine is ranked #22 by us news and world report for research
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Part 1: Introduction
If you’re considering applying to a world-renowned institution that has a far-reaching reputation from research, community service, and clinical perspectives, Baylor Medical School is a worthy addition to your list. As a Baylor medical student, you’ll study at the world’s largest medical college, where you will have the opportunity to rotate at several different patient care sites including the Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, the Texas Children’s Hospital, and the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston.
Baylor medical students are high-performing. The admissions page notes that in 2019, 100% of the medical school’s students passed the United States Medical Licensing Step 1 Exam. It should come as no surprise then that the Baylor College of Medicine is highly selective with an acceptance rate of 4.3%.
Fortunately, our team has nearly 20 years of experience helping students gain admission to Baylor Medical School. In fact, we routinely receive messages like this:
If you hope to earn a coveted spot in Baylor Medical School’s upcoming class, read on. In this guide, we will provide an overview of the school’s programs, admissions statistics, and examples of responses to the Baylor College of Medicine secondary essay prompts so you can maximize your chances of getting in.
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Part 2: Baylor Medical School MD programs
There are multiple ways to obtain an MD at Baylor. You can either pursue the traditional four-year MD program or opt to combine your MD with a second graduate degree via one of the four dual-degree offerings. The dual-degree programs are detailed further below:
The MD-PhD program is for those interested in training to become physician-scientists in partnership with the Baylor College of Medicine Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
The MD-MBA program is for those interested in training to become leaders in healthcare, entrepreneurs, or administrators through a partnership with Rice University. Individuals interested in this dual-degree program will apply after they have been admitted to or accepted by the Baylor College of Medicine.
The MD-MPH is for those interested in making an impact in the public health realm through a partnership with the University of Texas School of Public Health. This is a five-year program during which students will pursue both medical and public health curricula in their first three years of graduate school, exclusively public health classes in their fourth year of graduate school, and exclusively medical school classes in their final year.
The MD-JD is for those interested in understanding both the clinical and legal aspects of the healthcare system and occurs in partnership with the University of Houston Law Center. To apply to this program, interested students apply during the regular admissions cycle for each institution and take the LSAT in addition to the MCAT. They should expect to finish both degrees in six years.
Baylor Medical School tuition
The cost to attend Baylor Medical School will differ if you are a Texas resident or a non-Texas resident. For the 2023–2024 school year, first-year tuition, fees, and insurance for Texas residents is listed as costing $28,465. Tuition, fees, and insurance for non-Texas residents is listed as $41,565.
In addition to tuition expenses, Baylor estimates that students will also incur approximately $39,570 in indirect educational expenses per year; these expenses include room and board, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses. Further information can be found on Baylor’s website.
(Suggested reading: 35+ Top Medical School Scholarships)
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Part 3: How hard is it to get into Baylor College of Medicine?
Baylor College of Medicine admissions statistics
The Baylor College of Medicine acceptance rate is currently 4.3%; however, Baylor’s in-state vs. out-of-state acceptance rates vary considerably. In recent years, the in-state acceptance rate has been around 13% and the out-of-state acceptance rate has been approximately 1%.
Some recent admissions statistics for Baylor College of Medicine’s class of 2025 include:
Matriculants: 188 (86% Texas residents)
Median GPA: 3.91
Median MCAT score: 518
There is no minimum GPA or MCAT requirement to apply to the Baylor College of Medicine. Please note, however, that MCAT scores for the 2023–2024 application cycle will be accepted if the examination was taken between September 2020 and September 2023. You can use the average GPA and MCAT score to determine if Baylor is a good target school to which you should apply.
(Suggested reading: How Many Medical Schools Should I Apply To? Which Ones?)
Baylor College of Medicine admissions requirements
Like other highly competitive medical schools, Baylor has several prerequisites to ensure medical students are adequately prepared for the rigor of the pre-clinical and clinical curricula at the renowned institution.
Coursework that is required includes:
Mathematics: 3–4 semester hours (biostatistics is preferred)
Expository writing: 3–4 semester hours (examples include English, history, public policy, political science, or any course that required intensive writing)
Humanities / behavioral sciences: 12 semester hours (examples include psychology, sociology, foreign language, etc.)
Organic chemistry: 6–8 semester hours (organic chemistry lab is not required)
Biochemistry: 3–4 semester hours (biochemistry lab is not required)
Biology: 3–4 semester hours (biology lab is not required; however, courses in genetics, cell biology, and molecular biology are highly recommended)
In addition to the above coursework, Baylor Medical School recommends that applicants have taken Spanish, given the large Spanish-speaking patient population at Texas Medical Center. Baylor does not require applicants to have a science major; in fact, the admissions website states that they welcome all applicants from different educational backgrounds.
Beyond coursework, Baylor looks for applicants with these qualities listed on their website:
Diversity to strengthen the Baylor institution and student body
Intellectual ability
Demonstrated interest in medicine
Integrity
Exposure to numerous opportunities and experiences
Leadership
Commitment to service to others
All applicants must also complete the Casper test in order to apply to Baylor Medical School.
(Suggested reading: Medical School Requirements: The Definitive Guide)
Suggestions for highlighting qualities Baylor is looking for
Your alignment with Baylor College of Medicine is something you’ll want to come through in your application essays and interview. With this in mind, we’ve put together some actionable advice for thinking ahead about how you might rack up experiences and extracurriculars that demonstrate your fit with Baylor.
We’ve chosen a few of the qualities listed above and given suggestions for activities you might pursue.
Demonstrating interest in medicine
Clinical Exposure: Shadowing, volunteering, and/or work experiences within healthcare settings will all go a long way to demonstrating your interest in medicine outside of the classroom. Gaining a healthy amount of clinical exposure is vital for the success of any medical school application as you’ll acquire insights patient-doctor dynamic, as well as the challenges and rewards of a medical career.
Research Activities: Participating in medical or scientific research will give you a wealth of information to draw on to show and explain your interest in medicine. It’s a good idea to seek out summer undergraduate research opportunities if you’re still a premed.
Exposure to numerous opportunities and experiences
Interdisciplinary Interests: Pursuing interests outside of traditional premedical coursework will help highlight your well-roundedness to the admissions committee at Baylor. This could include involvement in the arts, humanities, social sciences, or even athletics.
Global or Cultural Awareness: Studying abroad, learning a second language, or immersing yourself in cultures different from your own can help showcase your cultural awareness and open-mindedness. These are essential qualities for a physician that will be dealing with a diverse population.
Commitment to service to others / Leadership
Sustained Volunteerism: Long-term volunteer commitments, particularly those impacting underserved communities, are a great way to highlight your commitment to service as well as your leadership abilities. Remember, it’s often not about the quantity of activities you engage in, but about the quality of those activities.
Leadership in Service: Try initiating service projects or leading outreach efforts within your volunteer organization. This could be an activity at your church, school, or local community clinic. If your idea and efforts make a positive impact, this can help you stand out in your application.
Baylor College of Medicine application timeline
Though Baylor previously used the AMCAS application, MD applications must now be submitted through TMDSAS alongside your applications to other medical schools in Texas. We encourage you to review our comprehensive TMDSAS guide for advice on how to submit a strong application.
Do note, however, that MD/PhD applicants to Baylor will still use AMCAS.
Here is an admissions timeline that you can use to apply to Baylor College of Medicine:
May 1, 2024: TMDSAS application opens
May 15, 2024: TMDSAS application can be submitted
June 1, 2024: Baylor’s secondary application opens
July 2024–December 2024: Applications reviewed
August 2024–January 2025: Interviews conducted
November 1, 2024: TMDSAS application deadline
November 15, 2024: Baylor secondary application deadline
February 2, 2025: Deadline to rank schools according to preference in TMDSAS
February 16, 2025: TMDSAS match results released
April 30, 2025: Applicants can hold only one offer of admission
(Suggested reading: The Ideal Medical School Application Timeline)
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Part 4: Baylor secondary application essays (examples included)
After submitting your primary application through TMDSAS, you will be asked to write secondary essays. No invitation is required to complete Baylor’s secondary application.
The best place to highlight your unique qualities and your alignment with Baylor’s mission is in your secondary application. To differentiate yourself from other applicants with equally strong test scores and academic achievements, focus on strengthening the qualitative aspects of your application: the essays. In addition to your medical school personal statement, the secondary essays are an opportunity to stand out among the sea of other competitive applicants and convince admissions officers that you’d be a perfect fit for Baylor College of Medicine.
In the 2023–2024 application cycle, Baylor’s secondary application requires three essays.
Question 1: In addition to training as a competent physician, please select up to two additional areas of interest from the items below that you may want to pursue during your medical studies. Your responses will have no bearing on applications to joint degrees or special programs to which you might also apply. Options include:
Clinical Research
Healthcare/disparities/medical underserved communities
Academic Medicine
Community Health
Simulation in medical education
Health systems science
Telehealth
Advocacy
What knowledge, skills and attitudes have you developed that have prepared you for this career path? (1000 characters)
This prompt tasks you with explaining why you’d be successful working in a specific area (or two) of the medical world. Therefore, you might think of this as a more niche version of the “Why medicine?” question that often comes up during medical school interviews.
To answer this question well, offer specific anecdotes that address both how your interest in the area has developed and what’s already under your belt that will help you be successful. If you don’t already have extensive experience in your field of interest, that’s ok! The key is to show how the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that you already possess are applicable, no matter how you learned them.
Here’s an example that addresses an applicant’s interest in health systems science:
After college, I pursued a career in healthcare consulting at McKinsey, a global management consulting firm. I worked on projects spanning the healthcare system landscape, from hospitals to telemedicine companies to biotechnology organizations. I crafted models evaluating patient outcomes, financials, and various metrics, and I presented to CEOs of large capitalization companies. More importantly, I gleaned skills in communication, leadership, and teamwork, and I learned the importance of listening first, synthesizing large amounts of information into digestible nuggets, and advocating for women to achieve leadership roles. I enjoyed my work in consulting; however, I felt like I was working “around” healthcare rather than “directly in” the system, driving impact on the ground. This motivated me to explore medicine as a volunteer in the Mount Sinai emergency department. I’m now empowered to pursue a career as a clinician in which I’ll combine my understanding of the larger healthcare system with my passion for helping others to drive the best outcomes for my patients.
Why does it work?
The applicant clearly explains how their love of health systems science evolved. They also provide several details outlining exactly what they have done, effectively offering background on their experience and the skills they’ve gained.
The applicant shared how they felt something was missing and told how those past experiences tie into their future in a niche area of medicine, which helps address the second part of the prompt.
Question 2: Are you planning to matriculate into medical school immediately after completing your undergraduate education? If not, please explain what activities and/or careers you have pursued in the time between your college education and your application. (limit not stated)
Question 3: Indicate any special experiences, unusual factors or other information you feel would be helpful in evaluating you, including, but not limited to, education, employment, extracurricular activities, prevailing over adversity. You may expand upon but not repeat TMDSAS or AMCAS application information. (2000 characters)
Gain instant access to med school secondary essay examples for every single prompt required by every medical school in the United States and Canada. Subscribe today to lock in the current investments, which will be increasing after May 31 for new subscribers.
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Part 5: Baylor College of Medicine interview
In recent admissions cycles, Baylor’s admissions committee has extended interview invitations to about 13 percent of applicants.
Baylor uses a traditional interview format—applicants will have two 30-minute, one-on-one interviews with members of the Admissions Interviewing Subcommittee, which include Baylor College of Medicine faculty, residents, fellows, alumni, and current medical students (at least one interview will be with a faculty member). During the 2023–2024 application cycle, these interviews will be held virtually via Baylor’s online portal.
Because the interview process follows a traditional approach, you should have well-thought-out answers to the following questions:
“Why Baylor?”;
“What are your most significant experiences that highlight your conviction towards medicine?”; and
“What makes you stand out from all the other interviewees?”
One of the most common questions that Baylor interviewers ask is, “What makes you a unique applicant?” Knowing what you are likely to encounter on interview day and practicing accordingly beforehand can make all the difference at leaving a great impression with adcoms.
Other questions Baylor interviewers commonly ask include the following:
What are some of the ways you deal with stress?
Tell me why you think you were unsuccessful in your previous cycle
Name two traits that make you a team-player
Tell me more about X activity
What makes you a unique applicant?
Is there anything I should tell the admissions committee about you?
If faced with many acceptances, how would you make your decision in choosing a medical school?
What do you think is the biggest problem in health care at the moment?
What do you see as being the biggest challenge for you in a medical career?
In your opinion what has been one of the most significant recent advancements in healthcare?
How would you respond to “What do you think is the biggest problem in health care at the moment?” or “Name two traits that make you a team player?” Your response should not only be specific to you, but should also speak to Baylor’s interests and what they’re seeking in applicants.
Baylor states that they use the interview as a way to learn more about the following:
Your interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, including communication, teamwork, ethics, cultural competence, and self-awareness
Your service to others, including altruism and humanism, community service, and social concerns
Your learning experiences, including intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving
Your motivation and dedication to medicine, including what meaningful experiences you’ve had in healthcare
Your cognitive skills, as assessed by your transcripts, MCAT, and GPA
(Suggested reading: How to Ace Your Medical School Interviews)
Final thoughts
The Baylor College of Medicine is a top-tier medical school that attracts high-performing applicants from all over the country. If you spend time crafting thoughtful responses to the secondary essay question and learning more about the program prior to your interview day, you will have a much greater chance of receiving one of the few Baylor acceptance letters during this application cycle.
About the Author
Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on medical school admissions. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into medical school using his exclusive approach.
THERE'S NO REASON TO STRUGGLE THROUGH THE MED SCHOOL ADMISSIONS PROCESS ALONE, ESPECIALLY WITH SO MUCH ON THE LINE. SCHEDULE YOUR COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION TO ENSURE YOU LEAVE NOTHING TO CHANCE.