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US Medicine · 2027 Entry

BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (MD) Medical School2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format

Location Boston, MA, United StatesEstablished 1873Interviews September–JanuaryDecisions March 30

Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0

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Overview

About BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (MD)

Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (formerly BU School of Medicine), founded in 1873, is affiliated with Boston Medical Center — the largest safety-net hospital in New England and a national leader in urban health. The school has a strong commitment to community medicine, health equity, and training physicians for underserved populations. Its Boston location provides access to a rich ecosystem of academic medical centers and research institutions.

What makes it different

BU Med's affiliation with Boston Medical Center — the leading safety-net hospital in New England — provides exceptional training in the care of homeless, refugee, and uninsured patient populations. The school's Urban Health Scholars program and commitment to social medicine distinguish it from other Boston medical schools. Lower median MCAT/GPA than Harvard or Tufts makes it more accessible to a broader range of academically strong applicants.

Course & teaching

Integrated curriculum. 4-year MD. Curriculum redesigned with emphasis on early clinical integration. Year 1: Foundation Sciences; Year 2: Clinical Sciences; Years 3–4: clinical clerkships at Boston Medical Center, Boston VA, and affiliated community health centers. Urban Health Scholars pathway for students committed to underserved community medicine.

Research strengths

BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (MD) has notable research strength in Urban health, Cardiovascular disease, Infectious disease, Health equity, Genomic medicine.

Interview

BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (MD) interviews via Traditional conversational interview; faculty or student interviewer.

Intake

Approximately 138 students per year (all programs; Four-Year MD ~92).

At a glance

Founded in 1873, based in Boston, MA. Programmes offered: Community Medicine, Health Equity, Internal Medicine, Research, Primary Care.

Entry requirements

What you need to apply to BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (MD)

Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and MCAT required. BU values commitment to underserved communities, health equity, and public service alongside academic achievement. Research and clinical experience expected. Secondary application required.
MCAT median
516 (range 511–521)
GPA median
3.80 overall / 3.77 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
1.9%
Class size
138
In-state preference
None
CASPer
Required
AAMC PREview
Not required
Holistic review emphasis
Health equity, urban medicine, community service, and mission alignment with safety-net care.
Notes
MCAT/GPA approximate from BU Med admissions data.
Specialities offered
Community Medicine, Health Equity, Internal Medicine, Research, Primary Care
Interview

How BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (MD) interviews applicants

Format
Traditional conversational interview; faculty or student interviewer
Interview window
September–January
Decision date
March 30
Tutor insight
BU Med's traditional interview rewards authentic storytelling about why you want to serve underserved communities — this is not a school where generic "I want to help people" narratives will stand out. Be specific about your experience with or commitment to health equity, urban medicine, or safety-net healthcare. The MCAT/GPA profile is modestly lower than peer Boston schools, but BU's holistic review means service and mission alignment carry significant weight. Rotations at Boston Medical Center provide some of the most complex, diverse clinical training in New England.
Practice

Practise for your BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (MD) interview

PrometheusQuestion Bank621 medicine questions inside

Interview questions matched to BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (MD)

Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (MD)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.

HardPanel · MMIQ1

Holistic Review: Race, Lived Experience, and Post-SCOTUS Admissions

Following the 2023 Supreme Court decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and UNC, medical schools may no longer use race as a factor in admissions decisions. However, the ruling explicitly allows applicants to describe how race has shaped their lived experience in their personal statements or interviews. You are a first-generation Dominican-American applicant whose experience with racial discrimination in accessing healthcare directly motivated your decision to pursue medicine. How do you convey the meaning of that experience in your application without violating the spirit or the letter of the ruling?

Likely follow-up · How does the AAMC's holistic review framework guide schools in evaluating an applicant's experience without treating race as a checkbox?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
HardMMI · PanelQ2

US Healthcare Ethics: Informed Consent and Capacity Assessment

A 60-year-old man with moderate depression and poorly controlled diabetes presents for an elective leg amputation recommended by his vascular surgeon to prevent death from gangrene. He tells you he refuses the operation: 'I would rather die than live without my leg.' His wife insists he is 'not in his right mind' due to his depression and demands that you proceed with the surgery. What is your ethical and clinical obligation?

Likely follow-up · What is the legal standard for decision-making capacity in the US, and how does depression affect it?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
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BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (MD) — frequently asked questions

Apply to BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (MD) with confidence

We've helped students turn their MCAT, personal statement and interview prep into offers from BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (MD) and other US medicine schools.