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Why Prepare for Health Professions at Allegheny College

Allegheny students preparing for graduate programs in the health professions use their major, minor, and elective courses to create precisely the programmatic balance that professional schools are seeking, and that leads to success in professional school itself. Elements of such a program include: a strong foundation in the natural sciences (in or outside the selected major), highly developed communication skills, a solid background in the humanities and social sciences, study in depth (in any major field that is personally stimulating), and independent study and research (including the Senior Project).

Unusual Combinations
Students often combine Pre-Health with:

In addition, cooperative degree programs with other institutions enable Allegheny students to acquire a solid liberal arts background while accelerating their progress toward professional training and certification.

Program Type

  • Accelerated / dual degree
  • Pre-professional

Your Four-Year Journey

Dedicated Pre-Health Advisor

There are many ways that a student can schedule the pre-health core curriculum with any desired major or experience. If you’re considering one of these paths, we strongly encourage you to check in with the Director of Pre-Professional Studies early on. Having a dedicated advisor to guide you through the process can make all the difference.

Early on, the advisor will help you to understand program requirements, design a schedule that allows for an unusual major/minor combination, create a schedule to allow for study abroad if desired, and evaluate strategies no matter their goals or anticipated path.

Later on, this advisor will help to ensure you’re knowledgeable about deadlines and provide valuable insight into how to strengthen your application. Plus, they can assist with the necessary forms and collaborate on the path you’re on.

Taking advantage of this resource early will set you up for success! Register your interest with the Pre-Professional Advisor as soon as you become a Gator.

Your Major/Minor

There are many paths that you can take on your journey to a health professional school. Although a core of science and English courses are required, any academic major can prepare you with the right core skills, and Allegheny encourages unusual combinations of majors and minors. In addition to academic work in the sciences, it is important to develop strong verbal skills and a greater appreciation of ideas and cultures.

Allegheny holds a reputation among professional schools for a challenging academic program that produces well-prepared, articulate and successful graduate students, and that includes access to research experiences each year, with hands-on learning including summer experiences and independent study.

Accelerated Degrees

Allegheny offers a breadth of accelerated/dual-degree programs related to health professions, listed in the next section, and our list of alumni in these fields is ever growing.

Students typically spend at least their first three years at Allegheny before moving on to their graduate studies. To earn your Allegheny degree, you’ll still need to complete a major, a minor, first-year courses, and distribution courses.

Some major-minor combinations align particularly well with both Allegheny’s graduation requirements and the prerequisites for these graduate programs. That’s why meeting with the Director of Pre-Professional Studies in your first year is a great idea—it’ll help you plan effectively and stay on track.

Accelerated Degrees

Allegheny’s Pre-Professional advisor will work with you from day one to chart your path toward the program you are seeking. Admission to these programs is competitive, and some programs do offer guaranteed admission or an interview if you meet specific criteria.

Students typically spend at least their first three years at Allegheny before moving on to their graduate studies. To earn your Allegheny degree, you’ll complete a major, a minor, first-year courses, and distribution courses.

Some major-minor combinations align particularly well with both Allegheny’s graduation requirements and the prerequisites for these graduate programs. That’s why meeting with the Director of Pre-Professional Studies in your first year is a great idea—it’ll help you plan effectively and stay on track.

Dentistry (4+4)

4+4 — Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.)

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)

 

Medicine (4+4)

4+4 — Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)

Nursing (4+1)

4+1 – Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

University of Pittsburgh

Occupational Therapy (3+2)

3+2

Chatham University

Pharmacy (3+3 or 3+4)

3+3 or 3+4 — Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)

Physical Therapy (4+2)

4+2

Chatham University

If you’re interested in physical therapy, you’ll earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), but first, you’ll need to complete your undergraduate degree—including the Senior Project—before starting graduate school.

 

Preferential Admission

Jefferson Medical College Affiliation

Under the Physicians Shortage Area Program (PSAP), certain Allegheny students who intend to practice in underserved rural areas may qualify for preferential admission to Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, as well as special premedical advising from Jefferson faculty. Qualifying students have rural or small-town backgrounds or family ties and intend to practice in non-metropolitan areas, preferably in Pennsylvania. Allegheny is one of six Pennsylvania colleges and universities whose students are afforded special consideration as PSAP applicants, of whom a maximum of 24 are admitted to the program each year.

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) Affiliation

Early assurance programs are offered with LECOM in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy for students meeting the criteria. The MCAT may be waived if certain academic criteria are met. Applicants must: interview at LECOM; have completed the pre-requisite courses; and have the support of the Health Professions Advisory Committee. Qualified candidates should meet with the Health Professions Advisor for further details.

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) Affiliation

Each year up to three students are offered admittance to PCOM provided they meet certain criteria. These criteria include completion of the course requirements listed in the PCOM catalog, an overall GPA of at least 3.25, a minimum of fiftieth percentile scores in each section of the MCAT, and support of the Health Professions Advisory Committee. Applicants must interview at PCOM and are encouraged to submit their application as early as possible in the application cycle. Qualified candidates should meet with the Health Professions Advisor for further details.

Research and Internships

Research Opportunities

Although every Allegheny student does scholarly research in their senior year, many participate in this endeavor earlier in their experience. Many students work with faculty members over the summer, or during the school year in an independent study. Students who want research as part of their career will want to have experience off campus as well.Such opportunities as SURP, PTEI, and many others are available for this purpose.

Internships and Job Shadowing

Allegheny students have a variety of opportunities for experiential learning, from shadowing physicians in their offices or on hospital rounds, clinical internships, training, working with animals, and more.

Health Coaching Program

After one semester of learning about chronic disease conditions, our health care system, and the psychology of change, students are assigned to a patient with chronic disease to work with them to improve their health. The course is co-taught by an Allegheny professor and professionals from the Meadville Medical Center.

Medical Ethics Lecture

Every year Allegheny hosts a noted specialist in medical ethics. Attend the lecture. Consider taking the medical ethics course (Philosophy). Many other lectures offered at the college have relevance to medical practice.

Domestic or Global Relief Programs

Alternative Spring Break trips and Global Learning Trips provide this type of experience. There are a number of international programs available such as Unite for Sight and International Service Learning.

Tests and Recommendations

One of the most important ways to prepare for a standardized test is to take as many practice tests as possible. Understanding the structure of the test, knowing how questions will be asked, and having a sense of timing will help you do your best.

Our policy is to assist any student who is interested in any type of medicine. We will write a supportive letter of recommendation for any student in good standing with the College. We do not screen anyone out at any point in the process.

Pre-Health Club

This is an inclusive club aimed to support students during their pre-health journey. We help to educate students who are interested in medical and other health care career paths. Our goal is to lend advice, provide resources, and help build connections for our members. The pre-health advisor also serves as the club advisor.

Program Contact

Kirsten Peterson

Associate Director, Pre-Professional Advising

Email814-332-2845