Linkage Programs

A linkage program establishes a connection with a specific school that allows a student, once enrolled in the Post-bacc Premed Program, to begin the application process earlier than usual and skip the "glide year" (the year of the application cycle after the MCAT). 

Students decide if they wish to be considered for a linkage program after they have begun their post-bacc studies and based on how much clinical experience they have under their belt. Students should choose to apply to one linkage program if they have a strong top-choice school and strong application.

The Post-bacc Premed Program currently offers 3 linkage programs:

• Tufts University School of Medicine
• Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
• UMass Chan Medical School

Linkage Program Timelines

All coursework and the MCAT must be completed by the spring of the year you hope to begin medical school. Students interested in linkage take their MCAT in March or April (while taking BioChemisty, so we recommend this for students with the disapline for self-study in this area). 

Candidates are interviewed in the Winter and reviewed in the Spring for possible acceptance and matriculation in the summer of that same year. 

As acceptance to medical school through a linkage program eliminates the traditional "glide year", these programs are very competitive; many students apply for linkage but most do not get it. This is due to various reason but common reasons include that there are limited seats in each medical school class, and our linkage agreements ask for a minimum MCAT score, minimum CGPA (averaging undergrad and post-bacc coursework), and a strong application. 

Not getting into a linkage program does not mean that you will not be accepted to that school in the future, it simply means that you cannot take the "fast-track option" and must apply to the regular cycle, like most students.