MBS Program Pathways

Bridges to Excellence Scholar's Pathway

Designed in 2019, The Bridges to Excellence (BTE) Scholars Program is an innovative educational opportunity developed in collaboration between Duke University School of Medicine and The University of South Carolina Greenville School of Medicine. BTE Scholars are residents of either the state of North Carolina or South Carolina. They will fully participate in the Duke Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) Program and may have an opportunity to be linked to a “near peer” mentor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine.


Eligibility: In addition to fulfilling all other MBS eligibility requirements, BTE Scholars will be:

  1. Residents of North Carolina or South Carolina
  2. Willing to apply only to the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, and accept an admission to this school (if offered)


Standardized Tests
MCAT scores are strongly preferred. The University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville Admissions Committee expects a minimum MCAT score that is above the 1st Quartile for the corresponding year, as published by the AAMC.

BTE scholars will:

  1. be offered and accept conditional acceptance to Duke MBS based on successful completion of their undergraduate degree,
  2. successfully participate in and complete the Duke Master of Biomedical Sciences program,
  3. be offered and accept the opportunity to earn conditional acceptance to the University of South Carolina School of Medicine if satisfactory completion of MBS and fulfillment of the other criteria developed by the Admissions Committee of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville,
  4. agree to only apply to the University of South Carolina School of Medicine during the upcoming application cycle, meeting all deadlines established by that school,
  5. fulfill all other conditions of medical school acceptance (i.e. MCAT timing and performance),
  6. Accept an offer to the University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville, if offered.

Priority will be given to students interested in primary care, psychiatry, and general surgery, with an intent to serve underserved communities of the Carolinas. It is expected that BTE Scholars will apply to a single medical school [the University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville], and if offered acceptance, will matriculate there.