The success of the University’s Pre-Health Professions Program has been outstanding. Over the last 20 years, an average of more than 40 students per year have been accepted into schools of dentistry, medicine, optometry, physician assistant, podiatry, and veterinary medicine. The acceptance rates of University of Scranton applicants to health professions schools have been consistently higher than the national acceptance rates, often in the 70%-80% range. The strength of the pre-health professions program is evidenced by schools and programs to which University of Scranton’s alumni have been admitted.
Recent applicants to medical schools have been accepted to: Drexel University, Emory University, Geisinger Commonwealth, Georgetown University, Harvard University, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Ohio University, Penn State University, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Quinnipiac University, Rowan University, Rutgers University NJMS, Rutgers University RWJ, SUNY Downstate, SUNY Upstate, Temple University, University of Connecticut, University of Illinois, University of Maryland, University of Massachusetts, University of Rochester, Virginia Commonwealth University, and others.
Recent applicants to dental schools have gained admittance to: Columbia University, NYU, Temple University, Tufts University, University at Buffalo, University of Connecticut, University of Maryland, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, Virginia Commonwealth University, and others.
Recent applicants to veterinary schools have gained acceptances: Cornell University, Kansas State University, Michigan State University, Ohio State University, Tufts University, University of Pennsylvania, and others.
Other health professions schools and programs University of Scranton students have entered: Rosalind Franklin University – Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, Kent State University – College of Podiatric Medicine, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences – School of Optometry, Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University, Salus University College of Health Sciences, Education, and Rehabilitation, SUNY College of Optometry; Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine.
The University of Scranton offers its pre-health students unique opportunities in anticipation of changes in healthcare delivery for the 21st century. They include an exposure to primary-care medicine (the practice of family physicians, general internists, and general pediatricians) predicted to be the area of greatest growth in medicine, through the Primary Care Scholars Program at Pennsylvania State University Hershey Medical Center, and an externship program with a local dental office. The University of Scranton is one of only seven undergraduate institutions participating in the Physician Shortage Area Program (PSAP) at Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. This program is designed to recruit and educate medical students who intend to enter primary care fields and practice in physician-shortage areas in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
The Pre-Health Program is supported by an engaged network of alumni from a variety of health professions and by an active Medical Alumni Council. The Medical Alumni Council sponsors on-campus programs to which undergraduate students are invited.
Pre-Health Undergraduate Curriculum
Many undergraduate students who intend to apply to health-professions schools choose one of Scranton’s seven life-sciences majors. However, students may choose any major, provided that they meet the prerequisite requirements for entrance to medical, dental, or other health-professions schools. For students at The University of Scranton, the minimum requirements are listed below. All first-year biology and first- and second-year chemistry courses must be taken with their corresponding labs.
BIOL 141 - (E) (FYOC, FYDT Lab only) General Biology & BIOL 142 - (E) (FYOC, FYDT Lab only) General Biology
CHEM 112 - (E) General and Analytical Chemistry & CHEM 113 - (E) General and Analytical Chemistry
CHEM 112L-113L - General and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 232 - (E) Organic Chemistry & CHEM 233 - (E) Organic Chemistry
CHEM 232L - Organic Chemistry Laboratory & CHEM 233L - Organic Chemistry Laboratory
PHYS 120/PHYS 120L - (E) General Physics I & PHYS 121/PHYS 121L - (E) General Physics II
One semester of Biochemistry, either CHEM 350 - General Biochemistry I or CHEM 450 - Biochemistry I (lab not required)
Virtually all health professions schools require six credit hours of English or literature courses, and many require at least one semester of mathematics, including calculus and/or statistics, as well as some courses in the social sciences (psychology and/or sociology). Some medical and dental schools also have specific prerequisites for English, mathematics, or other courses, as listed in Medical School Admission Requirements, or Admission Requirements of U.S. and Canadian Dental Schools. Many health professions schools recommend that students demonstrate a wide range of interests in their choice both of courses and of extra-curricular activities. Volunteering and service work is strongly recommended, and clinical experiences in health-care settings are often required by the admissions committees of health professions schools.
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) recommends that individuals planning to apply to medical school acquire a strong background in the natural sciences, so students should consider courses in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics beyond the minimum requirements. Students should develop strong oral and written communication skills, and they are encouraged to complete rigorous courses in the humanities and social sciences. Honors courses and programs, independent study, and/or undergraduate research are also encouraged.
The University offers all applicants to health-professions schools the option of a formal evaluation by the Health Professions Evaluation Committee (HPEC), consisting of several faculty and administrators representing a wide range of academic disciplines. All applicants who seek to apply to doctoral-level health professions schools in the United States are evaluated on academic record, clinical experience, volunteering and community service, extracurricular activities, and demonstrated motivation toward their chosen careers. Through the HPEC interview, applicants have an opportunity to develop their interviewing skills and receive feedback on their application materials and interviewing performance. The HPEC evaluation package sent to primary application services provides a comprehensive narrative that describes in depth an applicant’s qualifications for advanced study and a career in the health professions.
Additional Information
Information about the Pre-Health Professions Program is available from Dr. Gabriela Jakubowska, Director of the Program.