Pre-Medicine

These programs prepare students for admission to any chiropractic, dental, medical, optometric, podiatric, or veterinary school in the United States. These health professional schools require at least two semesters of biology with laboratories, four semesters of chemistry with laboratories, and two semesters of physics with laboratories. Since additional academic requirements vary by profession, and even by schools within a single profession, it is essential to meet the exact requirements for each professional school under consideration for application. Gannon’s pre-health programs have a long-standing tradition of excellence. Nearly 100% of competitive applicants are accepted to health professional schools each year.

GU Undergraduate Entry Requirements:

• Completion of four years of science courses at the high school level (biology and chemistry courses are required, while physics is highly recommended)

• Completion of four years of math courses at the high school level

• Cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale

Planning for a Four-Year Degree

Students planning to complete a traditional four-year degree should select an academic major before completion of their third semester. Most students complete the biology or chemistry or biochemistry major curriculum, but other majors are viable options for students desiring admission to health professional schools. Non-science majors may become candidates for admission, if they have taken the prerequisite science courses required by the school to which they apply. For example, pre-medical subjects required by U.S. medical schools are listed in the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR), published by the Association of American Medical Colleges.

If time permits within a student’s major curriculum, the following courses are recommended:

• Applied Statistics/MATH 213

• Organic Spectroscopic Methods and Lab/CHEM 325/326

• Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy and Lab/BIOL 292/293

• Histology and Lab/BIOL 320/321

• Human Gross Anatomy and Lab/BIOL 365/366

• Human Physiology and Lab/BIOL 368/369

• Genetics and Lab/BIOL 265/266

• Structural Biochemistry/CHEM 366

Advising

Students participating in a pre-health program are assigned two advisors. The primary academic advisor assists students in scheduling courses appropriate for their chosen major curriculum. The Pre-Health Advising Program Director acts as a secondary advisor for all pre-health students, preparing students to become qualified professional school applicants and making recommendations on their behalf in collaboration with other faculty evaluators.

Early Acceptance

A three-year option is available to extraordinary students who have completed three years of undergraduate study at Gannon University (depending upon the affiliation this is a minimum of 90-92 credits including all the liberal studies core requirements) and have achieved early acceptance to an accredited health professional school. The student must petition the Pre- Health Advising Program Director, who in consultation with the Dean of the Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences, may award a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science upon completion of the first year of study at an accredited health professional school. After completion of the first year of professional school coursework, the student must submit an official transcript to the Gannon University Registrar, who will forward it to the Director for review. Upon the Director’s and Dean’s approval, a B.S. in Health Science will be awarded to the student.