Accelerated Pre-Med Track with Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine

An accelerated dual‑degree pathway in Biological Sciences and Medicine with the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine offers a rigorous, structured route for high‑achieving students who are ready to move efficiently toward the Doctor of Medicine degree. The program maintains high academic standards, requiring the full 120 undergraduate credits at Seton Hall, while integrating early preparation for medical training. Students receive close, individualized advising that emphasizes academic progress, wellbeing, emotional maturity, professionalism, ethics, and accessibility—core qualities essential for success in medical school and clinical practice.

Designed for advanced and highly motivated students, this pathway provides a more affordable and accelerated route to the M.D., reducing both time and cost while preserving the depth and quality of a traditional undergraduate education. It is intended for students who demonstrate the maturity and commitment needed to thrive in an intensive, carefully supported academic environment.

Admission Information

Admissions will be highly selective to ensure that students entering the accelerated pathway are prepared for its rigor and responsibility. Applicants must present a 3.8 unweighted high school GPA, a 1550 SAT or 35 ACT, and successful completion of at least two of the following AP courses: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics, or AP Calculus. These academic benchmarks help identify students with the advanced preparation needed for an intensive science and pre‑medical curriculum.

Beyond academics, the admissions process includes a comprehensive interview designed to understand each student’s readiness for the demands of medical training. Interviewers will look closely at qualities such as maturity, professionalism, communication skills, empathy, and emotional awareness, along with a demonstrated commitment to medicine, community service, and leadership. This holistic approach ensures that students entering the program are not only strong scholars but also developing the personal qualities essential for future physicians.

Academic Requirements

Undergraduate students in the accelerated pathway must meet the below defined academic and professional standards below, established in partnership with the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HSOM) to gain entry into medical school. Students are required to maintain a minimum 3.8 overall GPA, a 3.7 GPA in all BCPM courses (biology, chemistry, physics, and math), and earn no grade lower than a B in any BCPM course. Requests to repeat a course will be reviewed by HSOM on an individual basis.

Although the MCAT is not required for admission to HSOM through this program, students must still sit for the exam as part of their preparation for medical school. The MCAT is strongly correlated with performance on medical board exams, so students will be encouraged to take the practice MCAT, administered by P‑PAC at Seton Hall, as a serious indicator of their readiness for the academic demands ahead. There is no minimum score requirement on the practice exam; its purpose is developmental rather than evaluative.