M.D. Program Campuses and Admissions

Admissions Information

Baylor College of Medicine, through a holistic review process, is committed to selecting a highly qualified entering class each year to further our mission of excellence in patient care, research, education, and community service to an increasingly diverse society. The College fosters diversity among its students, trainees, faculty, and staff as a prerequisite to accomplishing our institutional mission, and setting standards for excellence in training healthcare providers, promoting scientific innovation and providing patient-centered care. Baylor is committed to recruiting and retaining outstanding students, trainees, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds by providing a welcoming, supportive learning environment for all members of the Baylor community.

As we seek to matriculate students to further the mission of the College, the holistic admissions process gives balanced consideration in a flexible, individualized way to the applicant's experiences, attributes, and academic metrics and, when considered in combination, how the individual might contribute value to the medical profession.

Learn about the Baylor College of Medicine experience and what makes Baylor the best place to train.

Baylor College of Medicine looks for individuals with:

Diversity to strengthen our institution by increasing talent and ensuring a broad perspective
High intellectual ability
Evidence of a strong interest in medicine
A high level of personal integrity
Varied experiences
Attributes and experiences that demonstrate leadership and exceptional service to others

The Admissions Committee is responsible for selecting students' interview location assignments. Interview site does not indicate or guarantee placement at a location to which the student will matriculate.

After acceptance into the Baylor College of Medicine M.D. program, all applicants must log into the Applicant Portal and rank their campus preferences. Campus assignments are determined by a computerized selection system with results redistributed based on campus capacity. Assignment notifications begin in mid-March. Assignments are not assured until a confirmation email has been sent from the Baylor College of Medicine Office of Admissions.

Students must complete their four-year M.D. degree program at their assigned campus. Students will not be allowed to transfer from one campus to the other once starting the curriculum.

All students accepted into the Medical Science Training Program will be assigned to the Texas Medical Center campus in Houston.

The College makes every effort to assign admitted students to their preferred campus; however, it is not always possible.

Admitted students who do not receive their preferred campus and wish to be considered for campus re-assignment must request reassignment via the appeals process. The request should contain professionally compelling reasons (see considerations below) to justify a requested change of campus.

The Admissions Committee cannot guarantee that requests for re-assignment will be granted.

Requests are reviewed on an ongoing basis until the class at each site is finalized. Those admitted students who have submitted a campus re-assignment request will receive a response from the Admissions Committee by email within 15 business days of receipt and, in the case of a change, an update on the application portal.

Consideration for four-year re-assignment to a specific campus includes without limitation factors* regarding the admitted student such as:

Non-temporary employment of a spouse
Spouse enrolled in an educational program that requires in-person attendance and is expected to continue into the academic year in which the admitted student will be starting the curriculum
Child or other dependent formally enrolled in a daily childcare program or local school district during the academic year in which the admitted student will be starting the curriculum
Specialized healthcare needs of the admitted student or the admitted student’s spouse or child for which appropriate services are not available at the assigned campus.

* The presence or absence of any factor or multiple factors does not assure that the request for campus re-assignment will be granted or denied. In all cases, a determination on a request for re-assignment is at the sole and absolute discretion of the College.

Baylor College of Medicine is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award master’s and doctorate degrees. Degree-granting institutions may also offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Baylor College of Medicine may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website.

Branch Campus

Baylor College of Medicine School of Medicine – Temple is a branch campus of Baylor College of Medicine located in Temple, Texas, and is dependent on the continued accreditation of the parent campus located in Houston, Texas.

The Alkek Fountain in front of the Roy and Lillie Cullen Building

All Access: Medical School Admissions Podcast

Listen to learn more about our School of Medicine's holistic admissions process, what the Admissions Committee looks for in an applicant, what sets BCM apart from other medical schools.

Access Podcast