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Pre-Dental Program

Bachelor's Degree + Doctor of Dental Medicine (4+4)


 

Westminster College and LECOM School of Dental Medicine


Up to five (5) Westminster students per academic year/class can be accepted to the 4+4 LECOM Dental School Affiliate Program, which guarantees acceptance to the Doctor of Dental Medicine program located in Bradenton, Florida upon completion of the following criteria. Students who successfully complete all program requirements earn their bachelor's degree from Westminster and their Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) in eight years.

Students can apply to participate in the 4+4 Program either as high school seniors at the same time they are applying to Westminster OR at any time before the completion of their second year at Westminster.

Please Note: Test scores from the SAT or ACT exams are required for your application to LECOM, though they are not required for your application to Westminster College.

 

Qualifications and Application


High School Seniors

Westminster College Students

  • Apply to LECOM by end of second year
  • If applying during the first year, a minimum 1170 Math + Verbal SAT or 26 ACT Composite is required
  • If enrolled at Westminster for 1 year, a college GPA 3.4 or higher
  • Interview at LECOM
  • See Westminster Student Timeline for additional information

 

Admission Requirements for the D.M.D. Program at LECOM


Students must satisfactorily complete the following criteria at Westminster, prior to enrollment at LECOM's School of Dental Medicine:

  • Maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.4 and a science GPA of 3.2
  • Earn a minimum of a grade of C in the pre-requisite courses:
    • 8 Semester Credit Hours Biology including two labs
    • 8 Semester Credit Hours Inorganic/General Chemistry including two labs
    • 8 Semester Credit Hours Organic Chemistry including two labs
    • 6 Semester Credit Hours of English; composition emphasizing technical language
    • 3 Semester Credit Hours Biochemistry
  • No pass/fail grading for pre-requisite courses.
  • Any AP credited pre-requisite courses must be replaced by appropriate courses
  • IB and CLEP credits not acceptable for pre-requisite courses
  • No retaking of pre-requisite courses
  • Summer pre-requisite courses are prohibited unless for scheduling conflicts/necessities
  • Up to 2 pre-requisite courses can transfer in; must be replaced by appropriate courses
  • Take DAT by fall of 3rd year at WC Earn a minimum 16 on the DAT
  • Meet with Westminster's Health Professions Advisor each semester to review status
  • Visit with LECOM representative each year
  • Attend LECOM On-Campus Affiliate Day
  • Successfully complete Westminster College degree requirements
  • Receive Westminster's Medical Professions Advisory Committee (MedPAC) recommendation to LECOM
  • 100 hours job shadowing in a clinical dental setting is recommended
  • Submit all required information and forms to LECOM
  • Apply (via AADAS) by Nov. 15th of 3rd Year at WC; Submit LECOM 2ndary app by Jan 1
  • Students in the WC-LECOM Affiliation cannot apply to other dental schools
  • Full-time students, US citizens or lawful residents qualify for the Affiliation program
  • Affiliates cannot already hold a 4-year undergrad degree
  • Students transferring to WC may qualify based on MedPAC and LECOM review
  • Background check through LECOM – initiate by January of LECOM matriculation year
  • Meet and uphold WC and LECOM character and professionalism standards

In addition to the pre-requisite courses listed above, LECOM strongly recommends students take the following courses at Westminster prior to enrollment at LECOM:

  • 4 Semester Credit Hours Physiology
  • 4 Semester Credit Hours Physics with lab
  • 4 Semester Credit Hours of Anatomy with lab
  • 4 Semester Credit Hours of Microbiology with lab
  • 3 Semester Credit Hours of Cell Biology
  • 3 Semester Credit Hours of Histology
  • 3 Semester Credit Hours of Immunology
  • 3 Semester Credit Hours of Genetics

In the event a student does not meet the required GPA while at Westminster, the following actions will be taken:

  • Failing to meet minimum GPA for 1 semester - Warning letter
  • Consecutive semesters with science GPA ≤ 3.0 - Withdrawal from program

 

Timeline Summary for High School Seniors


Task
Deadline
Responsibility of:
1
Apply to EAP
By June 1 following H.S. graduation
Student
2
Interview with LECOM
By July 1 following H.S. graduation
LECOM
3
Notification of provisional acceptance eligibility
By August 1 following H.S. graduation
LECOM
4
Notify of provisional acceptance eligibility
By August 1 following H.S. graduation
Pre-Health Advisor
5
Notify LECOM student will matriculate at undergrad school
By August 1 following H.S. graduation
Pre-Health Advisor
6
Send letter of provisional acceptance
By September 1 following H.S. graduation
LECOM
7
Follow schedule for existing students starting at #6
Student

 

Timeline Summary for Westminster Students


Task
Deadline
Responsibility of:
1
Apply to EAP
By June 1 of second year
Student
2
Interview with LECOM
By July 1 of second year
LECOM
3
Notification of provisional acceptance eligibility
Prior to start of third year
LECOM
4
Notification to LECOM of provisional acceptance eligibility
Prior to start of third year
Pre-Health Advisor
5
Send letter of provisional acceptance
Prior to start of third year
LECOM
6
Submit AADSAS Application to Campus Choice
By November 15 of senior year
Student
7
Take DAT
By December 1 of senior year
Student
8
Submit LECOM supplemental
By January 1 of senior year
Student
9
Complete AADSAS Academic Update
By February 1 of senior year
Student
10
Submit letters of recommendation to LECOM
By March 1 of senior year
Pre-Health Committee
11
Send Dean's contigency letter of acceptance
By March 15 of senior year
LECOM
12
Pay Deposit
By date on Dean's letter
Student
13
Send LECOM Mariculation package
After deposit is received
LECOM
14
Final transcripts and required documents submitted
By July 1 of year of LECOM matriculation
Student
15
Submit annual status form to LECOM
Pre-Health Advisor
16
Attend affiliation on-campus day
Student

 

For More Information


Please contact the Health Professions Advisor, Dr. Joshua Corrette-Bennett.

Joshua C. Corrette-Bennett

Associate Professor of Biology/MedPAC Coordinator
Joshua C. Corrette-Bennett