Preprofessional Advising: Prehealth

Drexel's prehealth advising program is designed to help students with course selection, career information and the application process for all of the health professions. Students should meet with the prehealth coordinator as early as possible. The program helps students who are interested in a variety of careers including medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, nursing and allied health. There are special options for Drexel undergraduates with the College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Professions.

For more information, please contact:

Prehealth Professions Coordinator: Mr. Thomas Coyne
Steinbright Career Development Center
3201 Arch Street, Suite 250
(215) 895-2437 / tcoyne@drexel.edu

Early Assurance Program with Drexel University College of Medicine

This program was established for outstanding Drexel undergraduate students who are firmly committed to a career in medicine and who are interested in attending Drexel University College of Medicine. Students in a four-year program must apply in the fall of the third year. Students in a five-year program must apply in the fall of the fourth year. A grade point average of 3.5 with at least six science courses completed is necessary to be competitive. All prerequisites must be completed at Drexel. To learn more about the application requirements and prerequisites, please click on the link above.

Drexel Course Recommendations for Medical School

Click on the link above to learn more about the minimum course requirements for Drexel Medical School admissions. Please note, other medical schools may have additional course requirements. These requirements are subject to change.

Web Resources for the Health Professions

Click on the link above to access web resources for a variety of professions within the health field.

                       
Accelerated BS/MD Program
Frequently Asked Questions for Students
Admitted in 2006 & 2007

How are students admitted to the BS/MD Program?

Students are admitted as high school seniors based on the following criteria:  high school record, SAT or ACT scores, activities, recommendations and an interview with a member of the Drexel University College of Medicine Admissions Committee.

What is the length of the BS/MD Program?

Students attend three years on the main campus taking undergraduate courses towards a bachelor’s degree, including the prerequisite courses required by the Medical School.  The students attend medical school for the traditional four years.

How are BS/MD students identified?

BS/MD students have an attribute code (ATTF) of BMD when they are enrolled.  They are also instructed to self-identify whenever they meet with an advisor.

Is there a standard academic plan for students?

No. Each student has an individualized plan based on the major and AP or transfer credits earned while in high school.

How are students able to complete the degree requirements?

The degree can be earned by the combination of Drexel undergraduate courses, AP credit, transfer credits earned at other colleges when the students were in high school and credits from the first year of medical school.

Must students attend courses during the summer term?

This is dependent on the student’s chosen major and the number of AP and transfer credits the student has earned.  Some majors such as those in the College of Engineering or School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems will require students to take classes during at least one summer term.  Others, such as Bioscience and Biotechnology, can be completed without students taking classes in the summer terms.

What are the prerequisite courses for matriculation into the Medical School?

The following courses are required:

• one year of general biology *
• one year of general chemistry (inorganic)*
• one year of organic chemistry *
• one year of general physics *
• one year of English
• * all with laboratory courses

The two term sequence in physics offered for Bioscience and Biotechnology majors is sufficient (152, 153).  Waiver of courses does not satisfy the requirements (e.g., English courses based on placement test).  AP credits and college courses taken in high school can be used to complete these courses.

What are the requirements to maintain status in the BS/MD Program?

The basic requirements are:

• minimum cumulative GPA of 3.45 by end of the spring term of the third year
• minimum GPA of 3.25 in all BCPM courses (all biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics courses)
• no withdrawal from any course
• no repeating of any course
• no grade in any course below a “C” (a C- is lower than a “C”)
• All grades (NGR, Inc) must be resolved by July 1 of the year of matriculation into DUCOM
• MCAT scores of “9” in each multiple choice section and a letter grade of “M” in the written statement or if one multiple choice test is below a “9”, a combined score of “30” or higher with no score below “7”.  These scores must be achieved in a single examination. The MCAT can be taken no more than three times. The latest date is April 30 of the year of matriculation into DUCOM.

When should BS/MD students take the MCAT?

BS/MD students should take the MCAT after they have completed all of the prerequisites, usually at the end of the second year.

Is Co-op an option?

No.

What if students complete degree requirements before the end of three years?

They have the option of taking more courses or pursuing some other academic interests.

Can a student change the term of entry into the Medical School?

No.

What happens if a student withdraws or is removed from the Program?

They have the option to stay and complete the degree requirements and/or apply to medical schools through the regular application process.

Are students in this Program eligible for the combined degree programs in the Medical School (e.g., MD/MBA, MD/MPH, MD/PhD)?

Yes. 

Who is responsible for monitoring/enforcing the GPA and MCAT requirements?

 The Prehealth Coordinator is responsible for certifying that students maintain status. (**Any issues (with requests, etc.) must be referred to the Prehealth Coordinator**).

Who should I contact for further information?

Questions about admission into the Program:

http://www.drexel.edu/em/undergrad/academics/accelerated.html#stats

Catherine Campbell-Perna, Associate Director of Admissions, catherine@drexel.edu

            All other questions:

Thomas Coyne, Prehealth Coordinator, tcoyne@drexel.edu

Frequently Asked Questions for Students
Admitted in 2008