Need Help?
Contact Elizabeth Leverette, MEd, academic advisor and BARSC coordinator for additional details on seeking entry into the Accelerated Undergraduate to M.D. program through the South Carolina Honors College here.
The South Carolina Honors College and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Columbia offer an innovative “fast track” program for Honors students who seek a medical degree. This combined and accelerated program enables you to receive your undergraduate degree from the South Carolina Honors College, followed by your medical degree from the USC School of Medicine. Students admitted to this program typically complete their undergraduate degree and their medical degree in seven years.
The Accelerated Undergraduate to M.D. program is a highly selective program for Honors College students and one of the most rigorous and challenging undergraduate programs offered by the University of South Carolina. The program includes completion of all pre-med and additional Honors requirements in three years and involves a significant research and thesis component. Medical school starts in the 4th year of the program and is completed in four years.
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Important Dates and Information
Applications for the 2025 Accelerated Undergraduate to M.D. Program are by invitation only. Invitations will be sent to students in January 2025. To be eligible for an invitation, students must apply to the University of South Carolina and the South Carolina Honors College by November 15, 2024.
Have questions? There will be a webinar for current applicants on September 12, 2024, from 7-8 p.m. EDT. Registration is not required to attend the session.
Accelerated Undergraduate to M.D. Application Timeline
| Date | Timeline Progress |
| November 15, 2024 | Deadline to submit application to USC and South Carolina Honors College. |
| January 2025 | Invitations sent to apply to Accelerated Undergraduate to M.D. Program. |
| February 7, 2025 | Application closes. |
| March 10, 2025 | Interview invitations sent. |
| March 29, 2025 | Virtual Interviews with USC School of Medicine-Columbia. |
| April 1, 2025 | Accelerated Undergraduate to M.D. Program decisions sent via email. |
| May 1, 2025 | Deadline to accept seat in cohort. |
Common Questions
The application is by invitation-only.
Accelerated Undergraduate to M.D. is one of the most rigorous and challenging programs offered by the South Carolina Honors College. Admission is highly competitive and fewer than 10 students are selected in each cohort. The most competitive applicants to the SCHC will be invited via email to apply for the AU-M.D. program. Invited candidates have excellent academic credentials, a strong and demonstrated interest in a medical career and a desire to begin their medical studies one year early.
Students must commit to attend the USC School of Medicine – Columbia. Upon acceptance to the cohort, students will automatically be enrolled in the accelerated pre-medicine concentration of the BARSC (Baccalaureus et Scientiae) major. Students will also sign a contract showing their commitment to the program and intention to enroll at USC School of Medicine – Columbia. Enrollment at the School of Medicine begins in the 4th year of undergraduate work.
The application will be available to invited students no later than mid-January 2025. Completed applications will be due approximately one month later. Applications for the 2025 Accelerated Undergraduate to M.D. Program are by invitation only.
The review committee for the Accelerated Undergraduate to M.D. program will access information previously collected for general USC admission and Honors Admission. In addition, applicants must submit:
- ACT/SAT score: An SAT or ACT score is required prior to the completion of the application process. If a score is initially unavailable, the applicant will still be considered. The score may be self-reported but the official score report will need to be submitted if selected for the interview phase of the application process. Standardized testing is an important component of medical education and medicine and part of our holistic review of the applicant as a candidate for the program.
- Short responses to questions designed to better understand motivation for a career in medicine, character and personal growth.
- Personal statement: This includes how an applicant developed their health care interest; what are their unique and special qualities; why they want to attend USC SOM – Columbia; why the applicant would like to shorten their undergraduate experience by one year, etc.
- Resume: Reviewers are looking for an applicant’s experiences in health science, leadership, community service and working with others to achieve a common goal.
- Midyear report: Unofficial midyear report or updated high school transcript. The admissions committee must consider your senior year schedule and available grades. If your midyear report is not available by the application deadline, please upload your most recent report card or documentation that shows your current course schedule and performance. You must then submit the final mid year report as soon as it is available to admhonor@mailbox.sc.edu.
- Letter of recommendation from an individual who can speak to your fit for the program and your passion for and experience in the fields of science and health. Although the letter may come from the same individual who wrote a previous letter of recommendation, we will not accept duplicate letters from your USC or SCHC application. The letter does not have to come from a teacher or school representative, but should be from a professional (i.e. volunteer coordinator, employer, coach, physician, youth group leader, etc.).
Top candidates are notified in late February and are invited to a second round application process that includes an interview with physician faculty at the USC School of Medicine. Interviews typically happen in March. Acceptances to the program are released shortly after the interviews are complete. May 1 is the deadline for enrollment in the program.
Answers to frequently asked questions can be found here, along with an email address that students can use if they have more specific questions.