Institutional Partnerships
Albany Medical College reserves up to 45 places in its first-year class for students matriculating via seven- to eight-year BS/MD combined degree programs with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Union College, and Siena College.
Who Should Apply?
Combined Programs are designed for high-achieving high school seniors who:
- Exhibit motivation for a career in medicine, supporting the focus of chosen combined degree program
- Rank in the top 10% of their high school graduating class, or have a minimum 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Albany Medical College will consider applicants to only one of the three combined degree programs. Dual applications will not be considered. Applicants who apply to more than one of Albany Medical College's combined or joint programs will be administratively withdrawn.
Physician Scientist Program
Albany Medical College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) offer an accelerated Biomedical Program that enables qualified individuals to complete requirements of both the BS and MD degrees in seven calendar years. Three years of study are carried out at RPI followed by a four-year course of study at Albany Medical College.
Medical research is a focus of this program and is carried out at the medical school during the third year at RPIÂ and during the first and second years at Albany Medical College. The goal of this program is to prepare physicians who will advance the practice of medicine through their clinical skills combined with their understanding and ability to carry out health care research. Awarding of the MD degree is contingent upon successful completion of both the undergraduate and medical school curriculum requirements.
Admission to the Physician Scientist Program is limited to high school seniors individuals who display the motivation, maturity, and intellectual capacity necessary to pursue an accelerated course of study.
Applications are initially reviewed by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Applications of candidates who meet the program standards of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are forwarded to Albany Medical College for further review.
Since it is impossible to interview all qualified applicants, only applicants with uniformly superior academic credentials and test scores, as well as relevant backgrounds, are invited to the required interview at Albany Medical College.
Applicants must complete high school with superior credentials. Course work must include:
- Four years of English
- Three years of science (including chemistry and lab-based physics). Biology is recommended for all and required for bio-focused majors.
- Four years of math through pre-calculus
- Three years of social studies and/or history
- SAT I in math (Level I, Level IC, Level II or Level IIC), writing; and science (physics, chemistry, biology, or biology E/M) are required. In lieu of the SAT, ACT scores may be submitted. All tests must be completed by the November test date. Scores must be officially submitted, they cannot be self-reported.
The application deadline is Nov. 1.
Requests for applications and more information:
Admissions Office
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, New York 12180-3590
518-276-6216
Leadership in Medicine Program
Albany Medical College partners with Union College for a joint program enabling qualified students to earn both the BS, MS, or MBA and MD degrees in eight years. Awarding of the MD degree is contingent upon successful completion of all requirements at both Union College and Albany Medical College.
The curriculum stresses thorough undergraduate preparation in both the sciences, humanities, and health care management. The requirements of an interdepartmental major, a non-science discipline, as well as 10 courses in health care management provide the opportunity to acquire a breadth of knowledge and understanding not typically found in premedical programs. The goal of this program is to prepare physicians who will be leaders capable of addressing the managerial, moral, multicultural and international challenges facing American medicine.
Admission to the Leadership in Medical Program is limited to high school seniors who display the motivation, maturity, and intellectual capacity necessary to pursue an accelerated course of study.
Invitations to interview will be extended to select applicants with uniformly superior academic credentials and test scores, as well as relevant backgrounds. The interview will provide an opportunity to assess the applicant's motivation for medicine, level of maturity, and personal development.
Candidates must complete high school with superior scholastic credentials. Course work must include:
- Four years of English
- Three years of math through trigonometry and one year each of biology and chemistry
- SAT I math (Level I, Level IC, Level II, or Level IIC); writing and science (physics, chemistry, biology, or biology E/M) are required. In lieu of the SAT, the American College Test (ACT) scores may be submitted. Self-reported scores are accepted during the application process. All tests must be completed by the November test date.
Other important credentials include:
- Excellent grades in the most challenging courses available in high school
- Rank near the top of the class (if the high school provides class rank)
- Required test scores are: SAT scores at or above 1410, or ACT scores at or above 30.
- Clinical or volunteer service in medicine either in person (preferred) or virtually is required, and a student will not be considered for the LIM program without it. A student must indicate in the activities section of either the Common Application or Coalition Application their clinical or volunteer experience.
- Interest in and knowledge of health care management
The application deadline is Nov. 1.
Requests for applications and more information:
Admissions Office
Union College
Schenectady, New York 12308-9968
888-843-6688
Science Humanities & Medicine Program
This joint program with Siena College and Albany Medical College, places emphasis on humanities, ethics, and social service. Students accepted into this program will earn a BA from Siena after four years of study and an MD degree from the Albany Medical College upon completion of the medical curriculum. Successful completion of all undergraduate degree requirements is necessary before matriculation into medical school.
In addition to the traditional science courses that provide a firm foundation for the basic medical sciences, students in this program will take more humanities courses at Siena than in traditional premedical programs. Included in the curriculum are courses in philosophy, ethics, decision making, social work, medical sociology, and metaphysics. Through this coursework, interactions with faculty and personal experiences, students will learn that every medical issue has an ethical dimension which requires a broadly educated physician.
The program includes two summers of volunteer service. Grants are available for travel and living expenses. During the summer between the junior and senior year at Siena, students are engaged in non-medical work with disadvantaged individuals. During the summer, following the second year of medical school, medically oriented volunteer experiences may be sought in underserved rural or city clinics. Siena students are expected to initiate a hypothesis-driven scholarly project aimed at service to the underserved that may be suitable for publication in peer-reviewed journal.
Competitive applicants are well-rounded high school seniors who have compiled strong academic records. Of equal importance, is demonstrated concern for others and for the community as exhibited in volunteer activities. Personal characteristics of the successful applicant include maturity, motivation, organization, and leadership skills.
High school seniors interested in this program must initially file an application with Siena College. Invitations to interview will be extended to select applicants with uniformly superior academic credentials and test scores, as well as relevant backgrounds.
Candidates must complete high school with superior academic credentials.
Course work must include:
- Four years of lab science (chemistry and physics are required)
- Four years of mathematics (geometry, algebra II/trigonometry, and pre-calculus are required)
- Four years of English
- SAT math (Level 1, Level IC, Level II, or Level IIC); writing and science (physics, chemistry, biology, or biology E/M) are required. In lieu of the SAT, the American College Test (ACT) scores may be submitted. All tests must be completed by the November test date.
Additional requirements include:
- Applicants must be in the top ten percent of their graduating class.
Satisfactory academic performance at Siena and a continued commitment to the goals of the program will ensure a smooth progression from the undergraduate school to the medical school.
Application deadline is Nov. 1.
Requests for applications and more information:
Office of Admissions
Siena College
Loudonville, New York 12211-1462
888-287-4362