FAQs: Pre-Professional Programs

• Medical School
• Dental School
• Optometry
• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Veterinary
• Physician Assistant
• Pharmacy, Chiropractic

1. What are the minimum requirements for successful applications for professional programs
   
   The vast majority of professional programs list the following classes as
   being the minimum requirements for consideration:
   
   
   • 1 full year of general biology
   • Microbiology
   • 1 full year of clinical biochemistry (80% human-focused)
   • Biometry
   • 1 year of general chemistry
   • 1 year of organic chemistry
   • 1 year of physics
   • 1 semester of calculus
   • 1 semester of medical terminology
   
   NOTE: Students also need to realize that having the minimum requirements is no
   guarantee of acceptance. As the veterinary program of the University of Illinois states on their web site: “In light of the rigorous demands of the DVM science curriculum, it is a good idea to be more prepared rather than just adequately prepared.” In other words, fulfilling the minimum requirements will get your application considered, but this does not necessarily reflect the successful applicant nor does it speak well to the student’s chances for success at the professional school level. A similar sentiment can be found on the podiatric school website at Rosalind Franklin University for Medicine and Science. This site states they “believe students would benefit from an academic background in biochemistry, microbiology, or other advanced BIOLOGICAL setting. ”
   
   For these reasons, we strongly feel it necessary for the student to go well above and beyond the minimum requirements and to focus their time on coursework in the biological sciences (see next question).



2. Do I have to be a Biology major in order to be a successful applicant for
   professional programs?
   
   Professional programs do not require that students have one particular degree versus another. However, you need to realize that no other major at Lewis University provides the coursework that is required as well as desirable upper division electives such as Advanced Anatomy & Physiology (with Case Studies), Functional Human Anatomy, Medical Microbiology, Immunology, Biology of Cancer, etc. These upper division electives are only available to Biology majors. Also, the matriculation data from professional schools indicate that the vast majority of successful applicants in ALL health professions have completed an undergraduate degree in Biology.

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