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Undergraduate Programs

The courses offered to fulfill the requirements for the B.A. and B.S. degrees in Biology and Chemistry provide excellent preparation for entrance exams and for success in medical, dental, and veterinary schools, as well as other allied health programs (Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, Nursing, etc.). However, medical and other professional schools now accept students with other backgrounds, including non-science majors, if they have completed the basic science courses and achieved high scores on the aptitude exams. Although premedical students need not major in Biology or Chemistry, many do and have found these programs a successful route to medical and health careers. Students who already hold a B.A. degree in another subject have the opportunity to receive credit for previous work and matriculate for a second degree with an appropriate science major, providing superb preparation for admission to professional schools.

For admission to medical schools, students must complete a year of General Biology, a year of General Chemistry, a year of Organic Chemistry, Mathematics through Calculus I, and a year of Introductory or General Physics. Most students have also found additional upper level science courses to be helpful, before taking the professional aptitude examinations. In addition to coursework, experience in a clinical or research laboratory setting is an important aspect of preparation for health careers. Students are encouraged to gain such experience through Purchase College's Senior Project and/or Independent Study, as well as through off-campus internships and/or volunteer work in locations such as hospitals or clinics. The Career Development Office maintains lists of such opportunities.

Most professional schools accept applications over a six-month period beginning in June and extending through the fall of each year, with entrance anticipated for September of the following calendar year. Students are encouraged to apply early, as statistics indicate greater success for early applicants, qualifications being equal. August professional examination results are usually not available early enough for the fall admission decisions, so students should plan to complete exams no later than spring of the year in which their applications will be considered.

Assistance for students is available from the Premedical Advisory Committee, which consists of members of the science faculty, staff from the Career Development Office, alumni who are practicing health professionals, and the campus physician. The function of the committee is to advise students in planning programs, choosing careers, and selecting and applying to schools. Students interested in health careers should seek out one of the members of the Premedical Advisory Committee as their academic advisor. In addition, sophomore students should start a file in the Career Development Office, which will eventually include reference letters, transcripts, and an autobiographical statement. When application time grows near, usually in the spring semester of the junior year, students with complete files and acceptable GPA's are interviewed by the Premedical Advisory Committee. This interview and file serve as bases for a summary letter of recommendation written by the committee and transmitted, along with other relevant materials, to professional schools.

Student Responsibilities Before The Interview

Those who wish the assistance of the Premedical Advisory Committee must establish files with the Career Development Office well before the deadline and make certain that all materials, including letters and transcripts, are received on time. Interviews take place in early April: student files must be complete in the Career Development Office early in the spring semester, and students must request a place on the interview schedule at the Career Development Office well in advance. For additional information contact the Career Development Office (Rm. 2008 CCS, 251-6370) or a member of the Premedical Advisory Committee. Faculty members of this committee are listed on the reverse of this page.