Baylor College of Medicine Admissions 2025: Application Deadline, Requirements & Costs

Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) offers top-notch programs in the fields of Healthcare and Medicine. It excels in building healthcare delivery models that serve the people of Houston and the global population. The research work at Baylor is primarily dedicated to developing new technologies to prevent, diagnose, and treat particular healthcare issues in society. In 2021, BCM received funding of USD 541 million through 2,871 sponsored project awards. BCM’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is the first among the many free-standing medical institutions with associated graduate schools. BCM has secured a position in the top 20 list for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Gastroenterology, and Cell Biology as per the US News and World Report Best Global Universities List 2021. BCM has a full-time faculty of 3,296 professors, 152 Emeritus, and 783 part-time faculty. As of 2021, more than 10,000 of its alumni are either residents, physicians, or health professionals around the world.

Courses Offered

What all courses are available to international students?

BCM offers eight different types of academic and professional programs to students through its four schools of study. These programs prepare students to achieve their professional and personal goals.

Schools of Study
School of Medicine	Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
School of Health Professionals	National School of Tropical Medicine

 

Apart from a diploma course in Tropical Medicine, Baylor provides the following degree programs:

MD Program	PhD Program
Genetic Counseling Program	Doctoral Program in Nurse Anesthesia
Physician Assistant Program	Orthotics and Prosthetics Program
Dual Degree Programs (MD+PhD or MBA, MPH, or JD)

Eligibility & Documents Required

What are the eligibility requirements?

Admission requirements depend on the school of study and subject or score requirements depend on the program or course selected by a student.

MD Program – School of Medicine

Applicants should have satisfactorily completed at least 90 undergraduate semester hours (or the equivalent number of quarter hours) at a fully accredited college or university in the United States by the time of enrollment in medical school. The following courses must have been completed satisfactorily (AP courses will not be accepted for the required coursework):

• Math (3-4 semester hours) - Biostatistics (preferred), but any course with quantitative math. Examples: statistics, physics, calculus
• Expository Writing (3-4 semester hours)*
• Humanities-Social/Behavioral Sciences (12 semester hours) Examples: psychology, sociology, anthropology, foreign languages, ethics, philosophy, theology, literature, art history
• Organic Chemistry (2 semesters; 6-8 semester hours) - lab is NOT required
• Biochemistry (3-4 semester hours) - lab is NOT required
• Advanced Biology (3-4 semester hours) - lab is NOT required. Highly Recommended: genetics, cell/molecular biology
• Recommended: Spanish

*The expository writing requirement can be fulfilled through coursework in a number of disciplines that require intensive writing, such as English, Philosophy, History, Public Policy, Political Science or Religion. This requirement can also be fulfilled through an Honors Thesis, writing-intensive upper-division science course or completion of a major research paper.

 

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS)

Applicants must have a valid bachelor’s or master’s degree from a recognized institution. GSBS uses a holistic approach to admissions, however, the following classes provide a good background for graduate coursework:

• Biology (with laboratory)
• Chemistry (general inorganic; organic)
• Mathematics (calculus preferred)
• Physics (with laboratory)

 

Doctor of Nursing Practice Program-Nurse Anesthesia – School of Health Professions

The minimum requirements for BSN-DNP students include:

• Baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing from a fully accredited college or university in the United States with a GPA of 3.0 or better (where A = 4.0)
• GRE score (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections)
• A minimum of one year (two years preferred) of experience in an area of intensive care nursing after successful completion of the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses
• A grade of B or better in Organic Chemistry and Statistics
• Proof of current competency in basic life support (CPR for the healthcare provider), advanced cardiac life support, and pediatric advanced life support.
• A CCRN certification is strongly encouraged

Students admitted to the program must continuously maintain an unencumbered R.N. license from Texas and/or another state participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact.

 

Diploma in Tropical Medicine Admissions – National School of Tropical Medicine

This course is designed for physicians, physician assistant or those in training and are therefore limited to:

• Third- and fourth-year medical students.
• Physician assistants and students in the physician assistant programs.
• Healthcare professionals such as nurse practitioners with clinical experience.
• Those holding an MD or DO degree including physicians, residents, fellows, and postdoc fellows.

Note: Non-clinical students could take module 1 (Epidemiology, Public Health) and module 4 (Application of Travel and Tropical Medicine).

 

English Language Requirements

All graduate school applicants need to demonstrate proficiency in English, regardless of citizenship status. To fulfil this requirement, applicants must satisfy one of the following criteria or submit any one of the English exam scores given in the table below:

• Baccalaureate degree (or higher) earned from a regionally accredited US institution or at an institution at which English is the medium of instruction in the following countries, or
• Baccalaureate degree (or higher) from a country where the official language is not English, but the mode of instruction and examination of the institution was in English. Applicants need to have the institution’s registrar or administrative official submit a letter containing the university’s seal or stamp stating the mode of instruction was in English.

English Exams Accepted	Minimum Expected Score
TOEFL iBT	90
IELTS	6.5

Each academic program conducts an independent and holistic review of its candidates. Some programs may require a higher minimum TOEFL or IELTS score where previous experience and demands of the discipline warrant it.

What all documents are needed for application?

Transcript evaluations are optional, but you may be required to submit one if your final, official transcript does not list your major of study, the degree earned, and the date the degree was conferred. Certified English translations of transcripts are required if the original is another language than English. Other documents required for the application can differ as per the course, however, here is a general list of documents that are commonly required:

• Recommendation Letters
• Personal Statement
• Research Statement
• Resume
• List of awards, publications, honors, etc.
• International Experience Essay
• Passport copy and photographs
• Financial documents
• GRE score, if applicable
• English language test scores

Application & Tuition Fees

Is there any application fees?

BCM's application fees range from USD 90 to USD 100 depending on the program and course. Some programs do not require any application fee. Check the respective course page for more information.

What is the fee structure of courses offered by the university?

The fee structure at Baylor College of Medicine varies as per course. Here is an estimated fee structure for international students:

Program/Course	First-Year Tuition (in USD)
MD Program	20,899.75
Medical Research Pathway	38,963
All Graduate Programs	22,000
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate of Completion in Biomedical Sciences and Health Equity	23,558.75
Physician Assistant Program	45,139
Orthotics and Prosthetics Program	30,151
Genetic Counseling Program	32,405.75
Doctor of Nursing Practice-Nurse Anesthesia (BSN-DNP)	9,725.50
Doctor of Nursing Practice - Nurse Anesthesia (MS-DNP)	17,319.50
Diploma in Tropical Medicine	8,503 or 2,125.75 per module

The tuition fees might change every year and also include additional charges. It is recommended that international students refer to the BCM website for the exact tuition fee details.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Is there any scholarship or financial aid available for international students?

Baylor College of Medicine offers scholarships based on merit and need-based scholarships are granted to students with a moderate or low family income. The Scholarship Committee selects deserving candidates and determines the award money. Students are notified about the decision 30 days before classes begin. For need-based scholarships, students need to apply annually. Most need-based scholarships cover the entire cost of attendance. Also, applicants might need to appear for interviews once the Office of Student Financial Aid notifies them about their selection.

The funds for both merit-based and need-based scholarships are directly deposited in student accounts. Students must pay their tuition fees from the funds deposited into their accounts, after which they can use the remaining amount to cover other expenses. Students will have to fill out an application form and submit the necessary documents to be considered for these scholarships.

Admission Process

When do the admissions start?

BCM offers admissions in the Spring and Fall intakes. The general deadlines are:

School	Application Deadline
School of Medicine	Early to Mid-November
National School of Tropical Medicine	Early September
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences	Early December (Early Review Deadline)
School of Health Professions	Early June

What is the application process?

Each program has a separate online application form and process for admissions. The application forms can be found on their respective course pages. After students have submitted the online applications, the admissions committee may contact them for additional assessment tests or ask students to submit the MCAT score. Post this, an interview round is also conducted.

When will I hear from the university after I submit my application?

There is no fixed timeline for admission decisions as the application process takes a lot of time. It includes additional tests and interviews. Students can contact the department directly if there is a delay in admission decision post six to eight weeks.

Student Diversity & Preferred Profile

What are the chances to get into this college?

Baylor College of Medicine has a very low acceptance rate of 5.3%. Admission to BCM is a lengthy and competitive process. Apart from academic qualifications and the intellectual ability of students, the following points are considered:

• A strong desire to work in the field of medicine
• Compassion for fellow humans
• Interest to resolve the issues of people
• Leadership quality
• Strong communication skills
• A student’s personal integrity (of high standards)

For students trying to secure admission in the MD/PhD program, BCM evaluates the candidates on the following points:

• Interest and ability in research demonstrated by the applicant
• MCAT scores
• GPA
• Extracurricular and volunteer activities
• Performance in the interview
• Letters of recommendation

How many Indian/international students are studying at the university?

Around 1,577 students study at the Baylor College of Medicine. The number of students enrolled in the School of Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and School of Health Professionals are 758, 563, and 256, respectively.

The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences has 199 international students comprising 102 female and 97 male students. The percentage of international students at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is 35.3%.

Part Time Work While Studying

Can I work while studying here?

Students can take up jobs as student helpers in their respective departments to earn money during their coursework. These jobs are offered as internships, and most of them are short-term, i.e., they do not extend beyond three months. The permitted hours of work per week change from one internship to another, but they do not extend beyond 20 hours a week. Students receive up to USD 15 per hour as compensation for their services.  Other part-time jobs are also available at BCM. Students must refer to the ‘Student Jobs at Baylor College of Medicine’ webpage for more information on job types and conditions.

 

Graduate Assistantships

Graduates can take up teaching assistantships if they are interested in teaching graduate courses at the college. Students can also participate in the following internship programs during their coursework:

• Consulting
• Education
• Biotechnology
• Intellectual Property Law

Students studying at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences receive a competitive stipend, full-tuition remission, and health insurance (individual) every year. In the academic year 2020-21, stipends amounting to USD 34,500 were paid to students.

Campuses & Accommodation

How many colleges and campuses does the university have?

The Baylor College of Medicine is located at the BCM Cullen Building in the Texas Medical Centre. Located amidst 46 speciality centres, the BCM’s main campus has seven buildings and four academic faculties.

Is on-campus housing available?

BCM does not provide on-campus accommodation to its students. Therefore, students need to look for off-campus housing options in the neighbourhoods of Houston. If students stay near the Texas Medical Center, it will be slightly more expensive than other locations away from the Center. Students can refer to the housing database offered on BCM’s website to find suitable accommodation. Pages such as Houston Chronicle, Houston Press, and the Greensheet offer additional resources to students looking for off-campus housing.

 

Cost of Living

International applicants can expect the cost of living for the academic year 2021-22 to be:

Expense	Annual Cost (In USD)
Room and Board	20,652
Transportation	4,116
Personal Expenses	1,188

University Contact Information

Whom should I contact in case of any doubts?

In case of doubts and queries, students can use the information given below to contact the college:

Mail address: One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77030, USA

Telephone: +1-(713)-798-4951

Reference: www.bcm.edu/