Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program

The postbaccalaureate program at Purchase College is designed for the college graduate who desires a medical career, but has little, if any, academic preparation in the sciences, or whose science courses are outdated.  The Program provides each student with the basic courses required by professional schools in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and other allied health careers.  In addition, students complete advanced science courses, internships, and clinical experiences, individually tailored to complement  their own background and interests.  The focus is on preparation for success in the appropriate entrance examinations, and the application to and acceptance by the professional school. In addition to these basics, the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program offers students individualized advising and the services of the college’s Premedical Advisory Committee and the Career Development office.

The Program

      The Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program requirements include courses and experience in the areas outlined below.  Students are expected to maintain a grade point average of 3.2 in the science courses taken at Purchase to continue in the program.  Previous accomplishments, when appropriate, may be used to fulfill specific requirements, as determined individually by the Admissions Committee.

1.   Basic science requirements:  These courses are generally required by all professional schools and include two semesters of General Biology with laboratories, two semesters of General Chemistry with laboratories, two semesters of Organic Chemistry with laboratories, two semesters of Introductory or General Physics with laboratories, and mathematics through Calculus I.  (In some cases, students interested in allied health careers may substitute certain other prerequisite courses at the discretion of the Advisory Committee.)

2.   Advanced science courses:  In consultation with a premedical advisor, students select at least  two advanced courses based upon their interests and/or deficiencies.  Many medical schools either recommend or require certain advanced science courses. It is also beneficial to demonstrate the student's capability to successfully undertake more rigorous courses in the sciences, and the extra studies may improve the student's chances for success, once enrolled in the professional school.  In some cases, credit for prior academic work may be given for one or both of these courses, at the discretion of the committee.

3.   Clinical or research experiences:  Commitment to a medical career should be founded upon experiences which demonstrate knowledge of the actual realities of the medical professions, and be based upon personal experiences.  This requirement may be fulfilled by a variety of internship or volunteer clinical experiences, as well as previous or current employment.  Internship opportunities may be explored through discussions with a faculty advisor, or the Office of Career Development.

4.   Professional entrance examinations: Most, but not all, professional schools require an appropriate examination (MCAT, DCAT, VCAT, etc.) which demonstrates proficiency in the basic sciences.  Completion of the program’s required courses will cover the material expected for these exams.  The MCAT is usually taken in April of the year in which the student completes the application; with medical school matriculation expected in September of the following calendar year.  In addition to regular coursework, commercial review courses are often available on or near the campus, for a separate fee (Princeton Review, Kaplan).

5.   Committee interview:  At the appropriate time, students with completed Career Development files will be interviewed by the Premedical Advisory Committee.  On the basis of transcripts, qualifying exam scores, and the interview, the Committee will decide about a letter of recommendation from the program.  This also provides a practice experience to prepare the student for the medical school interview process, and faculty provide feedback and advice on ways to strengthen their applications.

 Student Support Services

      Faculty members of the Premedical Advisory Committee help students plan their programs, adjust their career goals, and select and apply to professional schools.  After a student is admitted to the program, the Career Development Office establishes and maintains a file, and helps the student assemble the materials required for applications (including reference letters, transcripts, entrance exam scores, and an autobiographical statement), transmits the requested application materials to the professional schools, and provides access to reference materials on programs, schools, and careers.  Most medical schools accept applications for September admission during a six-month period beginning in June of the previous year.  Students are encouraged to submit their applications early in this period, as statistics indicate greater success for early applicants, qualifications being equal.  At the appropriate time, students with completed files are interviewed by the Premedical Advisory Committee.  The interview and the file serve as the bases for a summary letter of recommendation written by the committee and transmitted, along with other relevant  materials, to the professional school. 

 Sample Schedules

      Examples of possible schedules are given below, to demonstrate the flexibility available, for example, to develop a rapid, intensive program or to proceed at a slower pace which might result in better retention and higher grades, or allow for part-time studies while employed.  The actual schedule for each student is worked out in conjunction with the faculty advisor, and depends upon that student's required courses and his/her own emphasis on time, grades, experiences, etc.

Sample 1:  Accelerated full time study, academic year and summer; 18 months duration.

Sample 2:  Part-time study; academic year only

Admission

      Admission to the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program requires submission of an application form obtained from the Division of Natural Sciences, transcripts of all previous college work (including one year of English), proof of bachelors degree (any major), a listing of any previous applications to professional schools, standardized entrance exam dates and scores, a brief statement describing previous experiences in clinical or medical research settings, and one or more letters of recommendation relating to that experience (if applicable).  Students whose native language is not English must also provide proof of competency in both spoken and written English. 

                    The Premedical Advisory Committee will evaluate a student’s prior experiences and, for those accepted into the program,  lay out the specific courses and/or electives required for completion and to be eligible for a summary letter of recommendation from the committee.  Students must be formally admitted to the program to take advantage of the student services described in this pamphlet, including the file-assembling and -transmitting services of the Career Development Office, and the advising, interview and recommendation process of the Premedical Advisory Committee.  Students with an entering GPA less than 3.0 may be admitted on a provisional basis, with progress being reviewed after completion of two science courses at Purchase, and a final admission decision made at that time.