Medical School Linkages
Our Long-Standing Relationships
An exciting feature of our program is the strong links we have formed with many medical schools that offer conditional early acceptance to our students. Bryn Mawr offers the largest selection of linkage medical schools, and we have some of the longest-standing relationships with these schools.
You may apply to only one of these schools during the postbac program. Applicants to our linkage schools are evaluated on their qualifications and performance to date, as well as their ability to complete certain requirements established by the school. You must continue to maintain good performance at Bryn Mawr and, in most cases, you will need to take the MCAT. If qualified, you will be accepted on a conditional basis and will begin medical school immediately after completing Bryn Mawr’s one-year program.
While the linkage option is open to all postbac students, and is a popular choice, it may not be right for you. For example, you may look forward to taking a year off before medical or dental school for a variety of reasons or may want to go to a school that is not part of the linkage agreement. You may also not meet the criteria for being an eligible or strong applicant through linkage.
There are many factors to consider, and in-depth discussion about your decision begins a few months after starting the program. You will not need to decide about the linkage option until you are well into your year as a postbac.
Linkage Programs
As medical and dental schools change their plans and policies year to year, we tentatively expect to have formal arrangements with 14 medical schools and one dental school during the upcoming year.
- Alpert Medical School of Brown University
- Boston University School of Medicine
- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
- New York University Grossman School of Medicine
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
- SUNY Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine
- University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
- University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
- Weill Cornell Medical College
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
Linkage Option FAQs
Keep in mind, you will not need to decide about the linkage option until you are well into your year as a postbac. There are many factors to consider, and in-depth discussion about your decision begins a few months after starting the program. Throughout the fall semester, you will have ample opportunity to virtually visit the linkage schools, meet with their admissions deans, and engage with postbac alums who have chosen the linkage option. You can then discuss your options with the Director to make an informed, realistic decision about how to proceed.
The linkage option is most appropriate for students who are prepared to make a commitment to one medical school, and are ready to start medical school immediately following completion of the postbac program. Students must also meet the academic eligibility requirements set forth by the linkage school.
Sourced from the Bryn Mawr College website: https://www-test.brynmawr.edu/postbac/after-bryn-mawr/linkage-faq
Approximately 35-45 students per year apply to medical school through the linkage process.
You can begin the linkage application process during the fall of your postbac academic year.
Decisions are made based on the qualifications presented at the time your application is received. Acceptances are contingent upon strong performance at Bryn Mawr. The linkage school may also require you to take the MCAT with achievement of a certain minimum score. Several of the linkage schools have an application process whereby your work at Bryn Mawr is considered during the evaluation process at the medical school.
No, because your application indicates your special interest in—and serious commitment to—one particular school.
No.
Yes, you are obligated to attend as soon as you complete the postbac program.
Most of the linkage schools do not set a limit on the number of applicants from our program.
Yes. Medical school admission will be provisional upon completing your postbac courses with a minimum grade point average set by each school.
Many of the linkage schools require the MCAT, with achievement of a certain minimum score, while a few do not. Our staff will advise you on which schools have an MCAT requirement so you can prepare in advance.
Dartmouth and Brown require one semester of college math (may be fulfilled by a statistics course). Rutgers/Robert Wood Johnson requires two semesters of college math (may also be fulfilled with course(s) in statistics). The University of Michigan requires that incoming students demonstrate biochemistry proficiency at matriculation.
You will apply in the general application pool for medical school for the following academic year.
By applying early with a commitment to attend if accepted, you indicate a serious interest and commitment to that school. In addition, you go directly to medical school without having a “glide year.”
You may want a year off for financial or personal reasons. Also, the schools with which we have a linkage agreement may not be the right ones for you.
Contact Us
Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program
Park Science Building
Room 349
Bryn Mawr Program-Specific Questions
Email postbac@brynmawr.edu
Application Service Process Questions
Call PostbacCAS Customer Service at (857) 304-2047
Email PostbacCASinfo@liaisoncas.com