Can You Study Medicine After High School in the US?

I'm drawn to a medical career and want to dive in right after high school. What options are there to start studying medicine directly after graduating high school in the US?

In the U.S., aspiring doctors typically first complete an undergraduate degree before pursuing a medical degree. Direct entry medical programs aren't common, but you do have options like accelerated and combined BS/MD or BA/MD programs.

BS/MD programs combine a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree with a Doctor of Medicine degree, allowing you to complete everything in seven or eight years instead of the traditional eight years (four for college and another four for medical school). These programs can be competitive, as they may offer guaranteed or preferential admission into affiliated medical schools for students who maintain a certain GPA and meet other program requirements.

Examples of such programs include Northwestern University's Honors Program in Medical Education (HPME), the University of Alabama's Early Medical School Acceptance Program (EMSAP), and Rice University's Rice/Baylor Medical Scholars Program.

Regardless of the program, you will still have to follow the typical path of a medical student. After undergraduate and medical school, you'll need to complete a residency for a specific medical specialty before practicing medicine independently.

Remember, these are vigorous programs and you might want to consider whether you are sure about committing to medicine at such an early stage. Many students appreciate the opportunity to explore different academic interests during their undergrad years before making this decision.