How to Get Into Baylor College of Medicine

For expert tips on how to get into Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), read our comprehensive guide.

If you’re just here for the requirements, click here.

Baylor College of Medicine Acceptance Rate: 4.02%

The acceptance rate at Baylor College of Medicine is 4.02%. In the 2024-2025 admissions cycle, BCM had 5,622 applicants, and 226 students matriculated. That means your odds of matriculating to BCM are around 4 in 100.

The table below shows how BCM’s acceptance rate has fluctuated over the past four admissions cycles, according to archived data from the AAMC.

The average acceptance rate over the last four years is 3.41%, meaning that, on average, fewer than 4 students out of every 100 applicants earned a spot. This also means that 96.59% of applicants each year did not matriculate.

The number of matriculants jumped from 185 to 226 between the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 cycles, a 22% increase in class size. BCM maintained its acceptance rate fairly stable despite this expansion, holding around 4% for the past two years. That stability signals that BCM is still highly competitive even after broadening its intake of students.

If we compare the highest and lowest years, the applicant pool dropped significantly from 7,698 applicants in 2021–2022 down to 5,572 in 2023–2024, a 27.6% decline. Yet, during that same period, the number of available seats rose, which is partly why BCM’s acceptance rate nearly doubled from 2.40% to just over 4%.

While BCM has recently increased capacity, most applicants are still turned away.

How Hard Is It to Get Into Baylor College of Medicine?

It is very difficult to get into Baylor College of Medicine. Over the last four admissions cycles, BCM has averaged a 3.41% acceptance rate, meaning fewer than 4 out of every 100 applicants are admitted. Even with a recent increase in class size, about 96.59% of applicants are turned away each year, making BCM one of the most selective medical schools in the country.

We created the Baylor College of Medicine Admissions Difficulty Scale by comparing acceptance rates and overall selectivity across all accredited US medical schools.

What is Baylor College of Medicine’s Acceptance Rate for In-State Applicants?

The acceptance rate for in-state applicants at Baylor College of Medicine is approximately 4.91%. Last year, BCM received 4,031 verified in-state applications, and 198 students matriculated. That means about 5 in 100 Texas residents earned admission. In-state students comprise 71.7% of the total applicant pool, underscoring BCM’s strong preference for Texas applicants.

What is Baylor College of Medicine’s Acceptance Rate for Out-of-State Applicants?

The acceptance rate for out-of-state applicants at Baylor College of Medicine is around 1.78%. Out of 1,518 out-of-state applications, just 27 students matriculated. That means fewer than 2 in 100 out-of-state applicants were admitted. Out-of-state students represent 27.00% of the applicant pool, but only 11.95% of the entering class, showing how competitive it is for non-Texas residents.

What is Baylor College of Medicine’s Acceptance Rate for International Students?

For international applicants, the acceptance rate at Baylor College of Medicine is only 1.37%. Last year, BCM received 73 international applications, and 1 student matriculated. International students made up just 1.3% of the applicant pool, and fewer than 2 in 100 secured admission.

How Many People Apply to the Feinberg School of Medicine Every Year?

Over the past four admissions cycles, Baylor College of Medicine has received an average of 6,192 applications yearly. While Baylor’s class size has grown in recent years, BCM has consistently admitted fewer than 1 in 25 applicants, underscoring its reputation as one of the most selective medical schools in the U.S.

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Into Baylor College of Medicine

Follow these expert tips and insights to improve your chances of getting into Baylor College of Medicine.

1. Apply Early Through TMDSAS

Baylor College of Medicine uses the Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) for its MD program. This means you cannot apply through AMCAS unless you’re applying to the MD/PhD track, so careful planning around TMDSAS deadlines is essential.

The application cycle begins when the TMDSAS portal opens in early May, but the strongest applicants aim to submit by June or early July. Submitting early ensures your application is verified and ready well before the BCM secondary opens in the summer and the November 1 deadline hits. Remember that TMDSAS verification can take several weeks, so waiting until August or September leaves little margin for delays.

In addition, TMDSAS requires applicants to rank their school preferences by January 31, unique to Texas schools. After the ranking deadline, applicants are “matched” in mid-February, with results released on Match Day. Applicants who delay their TMDSAS submission risk being left out of the early review pool and may weaken their chance of being ranked highly enough to match with Baylor.

In a recent webinar with Inspira Advantage, admissions counselor Benji Popokh, a Texas medical school student, spoke about the advantage of applying early:

“I really encourage all of my students to have [their TMDSAS application] ready by May 15 … many people can be done by November–December if they pre-match.”

As Benji put it, aim to be ready by May 15, which keeps you in the earliest review waves and maximizes pre-match odds by late fall. This gives you a concrete internal deadline and a realistic outcome.

A strong strategy is to plan to have your TMDSAS primary submitted in June or early July, your secondary drafted and ready by the time Baylor sends it out, and all letters of evaluation uploaded well in advance of November 1. Doing so positions you for an early review and signals your organizational skills, reliability, and commitment, qualities that BCM looks for.

2. Treat the CASPer Test as a Scored Competency

Baylor College of Medicine requires a CASPer score for both the MD and MSTP programs. BCM does not require Duet or Snapshot. Results are valid for one admissions cycle only, and you can take CASPer once per cycle, so plan to get it right the first time.

Book an early summer test date and add BCM to your distribution list in your Acuity Insights account so your score is delivered well before BCM begins interview invitations. Check the official dates page for BCM-eligible sessions and choose a date that predates BCM’s distribution deadline. Earlier is safer in case of tech issues or rescheduling constraints.

Prep for the CASPer like it’s another scored section of your application. CASPer is a timed, open-response situational judgment test that samples professionalism and social intelligence (ethics, empathy, collaboration, problem-solving). 

Use Acuity’s full practice test to rehearse realistic timing, and complete 12–15 timed scenarios total (mix of typed and video responses) so you’re fluent in the format and pacing.

3. Pre-Write Baylor College of Medicine’s Secondary Essay With School-Specific Alignment

Baylor College of Medicine’s supplemental application is required and typically becomes available in the summer, shortly after TMDSAS verification. You’ll need to complete it for your application to be considered, and because BCM screens heavily at the secondary stage, the quality and speed of your submission can make a real difference.

Because these essays go beyond generic storytelling, you should pre-write them with BCM in mind rather than recycling copy from other schools. Review BCM’s mission statement, curriculum structure, and unique emphases, such as its Houston location in the Texas Medical Center, its leadership in health-systems science, and its strong commitment to serving diverse and underserved communities. 

Then, connect your own background and goals to those themes. For example, if you’ve worked in free clinics or public health initiatives, tie that directly to BCM’s emphasis on equity and advocacy. If your interests lie in translational research or innovation, show how BCM’s integration with cutting-edge hospitals and institutes aligns with your ambitions.

As Benji states:

“There are two additional TMDSAS essays… Personal Characteristics and ‘Optional’—optional is not optional.”

Benji emphasizes treating TMDSAS’s ‘optional’ as mandatory, because this is where you localize your BCM fit instead of recycling copy. Use the optional essay to localize what your primary application can’t: Houston-specific service context, Texas ties/intent to practice in-state, and how your background enriches your peers.

Pre-writing allows you to have tailored drafts ready before the secondary application opens, so you can submit quickly and avoid mistakes that come from writing under pressure. The goal is to demonstrate fit at every level: not just that you’re a strong applicant, but your trajectory is specifically compatible with BCM’s training environment, resources, and mission.

4. Show How You Demonstrate BCM’s Service Mission and the Houston Ecosystem

Baylor College of Medicine has a clear service-driven mission: creating “knowledge and applying science and discoveries to further education, healthcare, and community service locally and globally”. 

Since BCM is located in the heart of the largest medical complex in the world, students gain direct exposure to diverse patient populations, safety-net hospitals, and community health initiatives across Houston. To stand out, you need to show that your own service record aligns with this ethos and that you’re ready to thrive in BCM’s ecosystem.

Benji also highlighted how to improve your Texas medical school application. He said:

“Texas really likes service-oriented experiences … serving underserved populations… get unique about this.”

Benji stresses the importance of including your service experience with measurable outcomes. Translate your service into population-level impact with numbers and mechanisms. 

Add a 2–3 sentence impact line for every major role you've held that quantifies your reach, behavior change, and system linkages. Then make it relevant to Houston by connecting your outcomes to issues BCM trainees see (uninsured/underinsured care, language access, chronic disease management).

If you’ve worked in free clinics, rural health settings, or immigrant/refugee support programs, highlight the parallels with Houston’s diverse populations. Show that you’re familiar with service work and ready to scale that commitment in a setting that serves millions of patients from every background.

5. Acquire Strong Letters of Recommendation for Baylor College of Medicine

Baylor College of Medicine receives and processes letters of evaluation through TMDSAS, either as a committee packet or as individual letters. While up to four letters are considered, the minimum requirement is three, so it’s best to think strategically about which voices will most convincingly demonstrate your readiness for BCM.

Prioritize writers who can quantify your impact and connect it to BCM’s values of teamwork, service, and community leadership. For example, a PI can highlight your technical skills and collaboration across disciplines; a clinical supervisor can show how you built trust with patients and staff; and a volunteer director can emphasize your dedication to serving underserved populations.

To maximize letter quality, create a one-page brief for each recommender. This should include your updated CV, Baylor-specific goals, and two concrete stories you’d like them to highlight. 

Benji also stressed the importance of strong letters of recommendation. He said:

“Don’t pick the most prestigious name—pick the person who knows you … a letter where, if you removed the name, I’d still know it’s you.”

For instance, ask your research mentor to discuss your first-author poster and how you independently optimized a protocol; ask your physician supervisor to describe how you handled a sensitive patient interaction with empathy and professionalism. 

Providing this detail makes your recommenders’ job easier and ensures your letters collectively cover academic ability, service orientation, and interpersonal skills, reflecting the holistic qualities BCM seeks.

Plan an alternate writer in case someone becomes unavailable. Identify three primary recommenders plus one backup, and stagger your requests early in the cycle so letters are submitted well before BCM’s November 1 secondary deadline.

6. Work With a Former Baylor College of Medicine Admissions Officer

The best way to improve your chances of getting into Baylor College of Medicine is by working with a former admissions officer who has made real decisions. Inspira Advantage has over 15 years of experience helping students matriculate to Baylor College of Medicine with former admissions officers.

Book a free consultation today to get started on meeting your admissions counselor. With expert medical school admissions help, you can overcome the low 4.02% matriculation rate and get into Baylor College of Medicine.

Baylor College of Medicine MD Programs Offered

Here are the nine MD programs offered at Baylor College of Medicine.

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Baylor College of Medicine Tuition and Scholarships

Below is a breakdown of the tuition for Baylor College of Medicine.

How Much Does Baylor College of Medicine Cost for 4 Years?

For the Houston campus (Texas residents), Baylor College of Medicine lists an estimated four-year cost of attendance of $263,868.60, based on annual cost of attendance figures of $65,812.10 (Year 1), $64,150.50 (Year 2), $66,203.50 (Year 3), and $67,702.50 (Year 4). These costs of attendance include tuition, mandatory fees, transportation, living expenses, housing, food, and books and supplies.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Baylor College of Medicine offers need-based and merit-based scholarships, federal loans (Direct Unsubsidized and Grad PLUS), BCM emergency loans, and guidance from the Office of Student Financial Aid to build individualized packages using the published COA.

Here is a look at the need + merit-based scholarships at Baylor College of Medicine.

Baylor College of Medicine Application Timeline

Here is the 2025-2026 application timeline for Baylor College of Medicine.

FAQs

1. Do I Apply Through TMDSAS or AMCAS at Baylor College of Medicine?

Baylor College of Medicine MD applicants use TMDSAS. MD/PhD (MSTP) applicants use AMCAS and complete BCM’s supplemental application.

2. How Do Letters of Evaluation Work and How Many Does BCM Require?

All letters are sent through TMDSAS. BCM will review the required three letters and may review up to four recommendation letters.

3. Can I Send Updates or a Letter of Intent?

Yes, BCM allows updates (e.g., new grades, publications) and will accept letters of intent/interest.

4. Does BCM Prefer In-State Applicants Over Out-of-State Applicants?

BCM states it does not give preference based on state residency in its review process. However, according to last year’s admissions data, 4.91% of in-state applicants matriculated to BCM compared with 1.78% out-of-state applicants.

5. Does BCM Accept Online Courses?

Yes, BCM accepts online coursework; however, AP credit is not accepted for required courses. Prerequisites should be completed within 10 years of application.

Get Accepted to Baylor College of Medicine This Cycle

Baylor College of Medicine is extremely selective. Successful applicants do three things well: they apply early via TMDSAS, they show mission fit with Houston-focused, measurable service, and they execute cleanly on every scored/screened element (CASPer, secondary essays, and letters of recommendation).

Book a free consultation with a member of our team today to learn how we can get you accepted to Baylor College of Medicine this application cycle. Work with a former admissions officer at Inspira Advantage to get accepted to one of the most selective medical schools in the U.S.