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Majors Courses Research Advising Organizations Awards |
This page details to basic requirements for typical health professional schools: Allopathic, osteopathic, dental, optometry, chiropractic, podiatric and veterinary medicine. As detailed below, the requirements of majors offered by the Department of Biological Sciences also serve to prepare students for health professional schools. Required Courses Biology: One year of Biological Science with laboratories (BioSc 0150, 0160, 0050, and 0060) Chemistry: Two years: one year of General Chemistry (Chem 0110 and 0120) and one year of Organic Chemistry with laboratories (Chem 0310, 0320 & labs 0330, and 0340). Physics: One year of Physics
with a laboratory component: Mathematics: The number of terms of calculus varies between programs and schools. At least one term of Calculus (Math 0220) is required by most programs. Consult individual catalogues to see which schools require a second term of Calculus (Math 0230). English: A full two terms is the minimum requirement for all graduate programs. The Biology, Chemistry and Physics requirements need to be completed prior to taking the professional school admission test -- MCAT, DAT, or OAT. Additional Requirements There will be individual differences between programs and schools and so you need to examine each particular school's requirements. Usually, your School of Arts and Sciences General Education Requirements in the social and behavioral sciences and in writing should meet the needs of most schools. Advanced Biological Sciences. Some programs in Veterinary Medicine and Optometry require a course in Microbiology. Even if a particular program does not require more Biological Sciences beyond the introductory level, most students find that additional courses in genetics, cell biology, and biochemistry are helpful preparation for the material on the admission test. Major. It is not necessary to major in the sciences, as long as the required science courses are taken and grades in science courses are in the A - B range. Admissions Tests. All professional schools require an admission test, usually taken in the spring of the third year. MCAT (medicine, osteopathic, podiatry), DAT (dental medicine), OAT (optometry), GRE or VCAT (veterinary medicine). Obtain information and applications at:
Grade Options. You should be aware that some graduate schools may convert your S grade to a C or D to calculate your QPA. Therefore, DO NOT take courses "credit/no entry" (S/N) just to keep a B or C off your transcript, particularly for required courses. Also note that original and repeated grades may be averaged together as a single course grade by the schools to which you are applying. QPA. A number of factors besides grades are considered: admission test scores, extra-curricular activities that include experience within the field (volunteer or paid) and community outreach, hours of paid work during college, leadership qualities, faculty evaluations, motivation, etc. Therefore, the QPA's of students who are accepted cover a relatively wide range. The "average" QPA of those accepted into medical school is 3.6, the majority of those accepted have QPA's above 3.4. But mitigating factors do allow for lower QPA's. Figures for Osteopathic medicine are similar, possibly a little lower. The "average" QPA of those accepted to Dental School has been about 3.3, the majority of those accepted have had QPA's above 3.0 to 3.1. Optometry figures run in the range of dental medicine, possibly a little lower, perhaps more emphasis on physics and math. Veterinary medicine acceptance is extremely difficult to achieve. The few Pitt students who have been accepted have had records as good as medical students and fairly extensive veterinary experience. Podiatric medicine accepts students in the high C, low B range. Schedules. Suggested ways to organize your course schedules are given in Hints to the Pre-Med and the Pre-Dent Handbook (200 WPU). Consult these sources before you plan your course schedule each term. When in doubt about how best to plan, consult with a Biological Sciences Advisor in A230 Langley Hall, or the Health Careers Advisor in 200 William Pitt Union. Note: A Conceptual Foundations of Medicine certificate program (certificate granted concurrently with your undergraduate BS degree) is offered by the History & Philosophy of Science Department. For information, contact HPS at 1017 Cathedral of Learning, 624-5896. Faculty Evaluations. Students should begin an evaluation file early in their junior year (forms available in 224 WPU). You should have 3-5 evaluations, at least 2 of these from science faculty members (not TA's). Professional Committee Evaluation. Most professional schools prefer an evaluation by the Preprofessional Committee of the school in which you complete the bulk of your required courses. Pitt's Preprofessional Health Committee (made up of faculty and staff involved in teaching and advising preprofessional students) meets regularly in Spring and Fall to review records of Pitt students applying to the six graduate health professions. Details of how to arrange for Committee evaluation are available at the Preprofessional Health Advising Office, 200 William Pitt Union. Achieving admission to the health professional school of your choice is not easy. Success requires high academic achievement, persistence, and dedication towards your goal. Good luck! For further information, you may contact the Preprofessional Health Advisor, Andrea Abt, at: professions ConsultantPlacement and Career Services 224 William Pitt Union Pittsburgh, PA 15260 Phone: (412) 648-7130 Fax: (412) 648-7144 Email: aabt@pitt.edu |
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