Pre-Med Programs

Westminster College and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

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Up to five (5) Westminster students per academic year/class can be accepted to the 4+4 College of Osteopathic Medicine Early Acceptance Program, which permits qualified students who complete their undergraduate bachelor of science degree in a biological or physical science (B.S. in Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or Neuroscience with a minor in Biology) within four years to be directly admitted to medical school to pursue a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.). Students who successfully complete all program requirements earn their bachelor's degree from Westminster and their Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) 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. The medical school phase of this program may be completed on any of the following LECOM campuses: Erie, PA; Greensburg, PA; Elmira, NY; or Bradenton, FL.

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

 

Qualifications and Application

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High School Seniors

• Apply to Westminster College
• Apply to LECOM's Early Acceptance Program
• Minimum 3.5 HS GPA and minimum 1250 Math + Verbal SAT or 28 ACT Composite
• Interview at LECOM
• See High School Student Timeline for additional information

Westminster College Students

• Apply to LECOM by end of second year
• If applying during the first year, a minimum 1250 Math + Verbal SAT or 28 ACT Composite is requried
• If enrolled at Westminster for 1 year, cumulative college GPA 3.4 or higher and cumulative science GPA 3.2 or higher
• Interview at LECOM
• See Westminster Student Timeline for additional information

 

Admission Requirements for the D.O. Program at LECOM

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Students must satisfactorily complete the following criteria at Westminster, prior to enrollment at LECOM:

• Maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.4 and 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 (or 4 semester credit hours of Organic Chemistry and 3 semester hours of Biochemistry)
• 6 Semester Credit Hours of English
• 6 Semester Credit Hours of Behavioral Science
• 4 Semester Credit Hours Physics including a lab
• 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 prohibited unless for scheduling conflicts/necessities
• Up to 2 pre-requisite courses can transfer in; must be replaced by appropriate courses
• With qualifying AIS (based on GPA and SAT/ACT) MCAT not required
• 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 recommendations from Westminster's Medical Professions Advisory Committee (MedPAC) and submit to LECOM
• Receive a recommendation from an osteopathic physician and submit to LECOM
• Shadow an osteopathic physician is recommended
• Submit all required information and forms to LECOM
• Apply (via AACOM) 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 medical 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 of Anatomy with lab
• 4 Semester Credit Hours of Physiology
• 4 Semester Credit Hours of Microbiology with lab
• 4 Semester Credit Hours of Anatomy with lab
• 3 Semester Credit Hours of Biochemistry
• 3 Semester Credit Hours of Cell Biology
• 3 Semester Credit Hours of Histology
• 3 Semester Credit Hours of Genetics
• 3 Semester Credit Hours of Immunology

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
• Any semester with overall or science GPA <3.0 - Withdrawal from program

 

Timeline Summary for High School Seniors

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Timeline Summary for Westminster Students

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For More Information

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