Pre-Med & Pre-Health
Pre-Med Program
About the Program
A physician (medical doctor) is a person trained in the science and art of healing. This profession is concerned with the well-being of patients through the promotion, maintenance and restoration of health. A physician has earned a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree and is accepted as a practitioner of medicine under the laws of the state and/or nation in which he or she practices.
Students can choose different paths to medical school, but must be mindful of the core requirements for competitive applications, preparing for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), gaining appropriate experiences in the field and completing their respective majors. While it is possible for a pre-med student to do virtually any academic major, it is imperative for all pre-med students to work closely with both academic and health professions advisors to ensure completion of all requirements for medical schools and for their undergraduate degree. Most often, a student on a pre-med track will choose a science major such as Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or Neuroscience since the curricula include most, if not all, required and recommended courses for medical schools.
Students will typically apply to medical school between their junior and senior years, allowing for a direct transition following graduation. Pre-Med students may also be interested in one of our two Bachelor's Degree Plus Programs. These Early Application or Affiliate programs allow students to apply to med school as high school seniors or at any point before the end of their sophomore year at Westminster. If accepted, students are guaranteed acceptance to med school provided they successfully complete the program requirements.
Typical Admission Requirements for Medical School (and for MCAT Exam Preparation)
- Biology with labs, two courses
- General Chemistry with labs, two courses
- Organic Chemistry with labs, two courses
- Physics with labs, two courses
- English and/or Writing, two courses
The following courses should also be completed prior to taking the MCAT exam:
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Statistics, one course
- Biochemistry, one course
Course requirements vary from one professional program to another, so it is the responsibility of the student to be aware of specifics regarding their schools of interest. Good planning and working closely with academic and health professions advisors are essential to maximize chances of success in the highly competitive medical school application environment.
Sample Pre-Med Student Schedule
This is a sample schedule for a Biology major preparing to take the MCAT exam between their junior and senior year and matriculating to medical school following graduation. Please note that an individual student's schedule will vary based on the major selected and the schedule of course offerings. First-Year Program (FYP) courses, Intellectual Perspectives (IP) courses, the Cluster Course (CC), which are Westminster graduation requirements, are indicated in italics.
Principles of Chemistry (CHE 117)
Inquiry (INQ 101; FYP)
Speech or Writing (SPE 111 or WRI 111; FYP)
Westminster 101 (WST 101; FYP)
Calculus I (MTH 150; QR IP)
Speech or Writing (SPE 111 or WRI 111; FYP)
Foreign Language at 201-level (FL IP)
Cell and Molecular Biology (BIO 302)
Organic Chemistry I (CHE 261)
Visual or Performing Arts Elective (VP IP)
Organic Chemistry II (CHE 262)
English Literature Elective (HC IP)
Religion or Philosophy Elective (RP IP)
Foundations of Physics I (PHY 141)
Biochemistry (CHE 381)
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 101; ST IP)
Foundations of Physics II (PHY 142)
Biology Capstone I (BIO 601)
Principles of Sociology (SOC 101)
Biology Capstone II (BIO 602)
Cluster Course Elective (CC)
Cluster Course Elective (CC)
Chemistry Elective (CHE ---)
Elective Course
Elective Course
With the exception of the core requirements and courses strongly recommended ahead of the MCAT exam, there is curricular flexibility within any chosen major and among the elective courses that are part of the liberal arts curriculum at Westminster College. Students planning to study abroad for a semester must also plan accordingly to meet all requirements and timelines. It is also advisable for students to budget time during the spring semester of their junior year to prepare for the MCAT exam.
Extracurricular and Off-Campus Experiences
- Shadowing physicians (D.O. and M.D.) and other medical professionals in both office and hospital settings
- Clinical internships
- Volunteer experience with direct patient contact
- Any experience working with children (e.g. day camp, Science camp)
- Any experience working with people with disabilities or special needs
Where have Westminster students matriculated recently?
- Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
- West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
- Drexel University School of Medicine (Philadelphia, PA)
- Northeast Ohio Medical University College of Medicine (NEOMED)
- Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (Scranton, PA)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
- University of Cincinnati School of Medicine
- Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
Web Resources
- AAMC.org - Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) – General information about allopathic medicine (MD) and links to US allopathic schools
- ChooseDO.org - American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine – General information about osteopathic medicine (DO) and links to US osteopathic schools
For More Information
Please contact the Health Professions Advisor, Dr. Joshua Corrette-Bennett.
Joshua C. Corrette-Bennett
Bachelor's Degree Plus Programs
Bachelor's Degree + Medical Degree (4+4 Programs)
Westminster Pre-Med students can apply to participate in one of our two affiliation programs that guarantee entry to medical school through the satisfactory completion of specified admissions requirements.
Our 4+4 Program with the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) offers qualified students who complete the four-year Westminster degree to be directly admitted to LECOM's Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) program. 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.
Our 4+4 Program with the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) also removes some of the stress associated with applying to medical school by providing qualified pre-med students direct admission to the PCOM D.O. program after they earn their bachelor's degree from Westminster. Eligible students can enter the PCOM 4+4 program at any time through their first two years at Westminster.