Pre-Med/Pre-Health Professions Premedical Study for Future Physicians (M.D./D.O.), Dentists (D.D.S./D.M.D.), Optometrists (O.D.), and Veterinarians (D.V.M.) There is no premedical major at Jewell. Students may select any major that is of interest to them. Often a major in the sciences is convenient because so many courses in the sciences are required as preparation for a professional school. A premedical minor is available for some students. The Minor Requirements: CHE 122, 301, 302, BIO 233, 234, and BMS 250. [Students majoring in biochemistry and Oxbridge science or minoring in chemistry are not eligible for this minor due to significant overlap of course requirements.] While the labs corresponding to these lecture classes are not listed as requirements for the minor (due to the limit of 24 hours in a minor), the professional schools will insist that the labs also be taken. The corresponding lecture and lab should be taken simultaneously. All of these students will be preparing for a difficult admissions test. They need to have completed as much of the preparation for the professional school as possible by the end of the junior year, but the process begins with the first semester of the first year, typically with CHE 122 (general chemistry 2). For that reason, the schedules of these students are often heavier and more difficult than those of other students new to Jewell. Most professional schools have lists of prerequisites that include two semesters each of biology, inorganic (general) chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and English, as well as one or two semesters of math. When two semesters of math are required, the desired prerequisites are typically calculus and statistics. Changes to the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) have placed more emphasis on psychology, biochemistry, and statistics. Therefore, basic psychology (PSY 211), biochemistry (CHE 450), and any course offering a strong statistics component, are also recommended. All first-year premedical students should speak with the Director of Premedical Advising regarding the preparation required to meet their specific career goals. To become a competitive applicant and to prepare for the rigors of medical study, Jewell s Premedical Advisory Committee recommends going beyond those minimal requirements. The following four-year schedule is an example of a student s preparation for graduate study in medical school. (Enrollment in courses from the major and in classes from the core curriculum are, of course, also needed.) First Year: Enroll in So, You Want to Be a Premed Student? (BMS 111); Begin taking science and math courses: general chemistry and, if prepared, calculus; Many premedical students will take general chemistry 1 (CHE 121) in the spring of the first year and general chemistry 2 (CHE 122) in the fall of the sophomore year. However, students with a strong background in chemistry and math are advised to
begin with CHE 122 in the fall of the first year. (See chemistry s section of this Handbook for more specific advice.); Calculus (CTI 109) is strongly recommended for all premedical students. While calculus is not a uniform prerequisite of professional programs, it represents the level of academic rigor expected of premedical students; Investigate early acceptance and early admission programs offered through the Dr. William Jewell Scholars Program; At the end of the year, review materials from science classes in preparation for the admissions exams, which are only two years away; Begin shadowing a professional in your field of interest and start a journal to record your observations, experiences, and reflections on what has influenced your desire to be a medical professional. Sophomore Year: Continue taking science and math courses: general chemistry 2 (CHE 122), if not taken in the first year, or organic chemistry (CHE 301-302); and biology (BIO 233 & 234); If interested in early acceptance programs offered through Jewell s medical school partners, apply for early admission to the Premedical Advisory Program by Sept. 15; Apply for regular admission to the Premedical Advisory Program by Jan. 31; Begin to learn about specific health professional schools; At the end of the year, review notes from your science classes in preparation for the admissions exams, which are only one year away; Apply for a Journey Grant by Dec. 15; Participate in career exploration opportunities like the college s Career Mentor Program; Continue gaining real experience in health care via shadowing or internship positions. Junior Year: Finish prerequisite science courses including physiology (BMS 250) and physics (PHY 111-112 or 213-214); Biochemistry (CHE 450, offered spring semesters of even-numbered years) is strongly recommended, and even required by some medical schools; Reapply to the Premedical Advisory Program by Jan. 31 (even if accepted as a sophomore); Begin requesting recommendation letters during the spring semester; Prepare for and take the admissions exam usually toward the end of the spring semester or early summer; Begin the application process during the summer after the junior year (most applications open in early May); Continue gaining real experience in health care via shadowing or internship positions. Senior Year: Take additional science coursework; Complete the application process; Participate in a mock interview with members of the Premedical Advisory Committee as part of your preparation for the interviews at the professional schools.
Pre-vet, pre-optometry and pre-dental students should check with specific schools for details about prerequisites that can be unique to their intended profession. Dr. William Jewell Scholars Program Partners Program with KCUMB (Osteopathic Medicine) Jewell, in cooperation with the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine, offers a seven-year coordinated program in medicine (three years at Jewell and four years at KCUMB) leading to both bachelor of arts and doctor of osteopathic medicine degrees. Participation in this Partners Program is competitive and is meant to recognize the very strong academic potential of students pursuing a medical career. Students who are interested in this program should normally seek a B.A. degree in biochemistry, biology, or chemistry. The Premedical Advisory Committee, in cooperation with KCUMB, will select up to two students per year for this program. Interested students are required to apply for early admission to the Premedical Advisory Program by Sept. 15 of their sophomore year. A competitive candidate must have a minimum ACT score of 28, and maintain a minimum overall college GPA of 3.25, with a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the sciences. The committee will also consider a student s community service, college and high school activities, and knowledge of and dedication to the field of osteopathic medicine. Still Scholars Program at A.T. Still University Kirksville Jewell is a preferred partner for the Still Scholars Program at ATSU Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, which offers early acceptance for outstanding students. Eligible students are current sophomores who have cumulative and science GPAs of at least 3.4. Additionally, three-fourths of the prerequisite coursework must be completed, with no grades below a B. Applications are due by June 1. In order to fully matriculate into the D.O. program, accepted students must meet the following requirements: Earn cumulative and science GPAs of at least 3.4 (with no grades below a B in prerequisite coursework) The MCAT is not required for this program Medical Scholars Program at the University of Missouri Kansas City The Medical Scholars Program at UMKC School of Medicine offers early acceptance to students at a limited number of institutions, including Jewell. Eligible students are current sophomores or juniors who have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 and no grades below a B- in the sciences. Applications become available on May 1 and are due by August 1.
In order to fully matriculate into the M.D. program, students must meet the following requirements: Earn a combined MCAT score of at least 26 Earn a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 Earn a GPA of at least 3.5 (with no grades below a B-) in prerequisite coursework including chemistry, biology, and math Bryant Scholars Program at the University of Missouri - Columbia The Lester R. Bryant Pre-Admission Program at MU School of Medicine offers early acceptance to students at a limited number of institutions, including Jewell. This program is designed for students from rural Missouri who wish to pursue careers in rural medicine. Eligible students are current sophomores who graduated from a rural Missouri high school, have a composite ACT score of at least 28, undergraduate cumulative and science GPAs of at least 3.3, and no grades below a B in prerequisite coursework. (Those with B- grades may be accepted, but their applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.) Applications are due by June 1. In order to fully matriculate into the M.D. program, accepted students must meet the following requirements: Earn a combined MCAT score of at least 27 (with no subscores below 7) Earn cumulative and science GPAs of at least 3.3 (with no grades below a B in prerequisite coursework) Participate in additional programs including retreats, shadowing, and community service Interested students should contact the Director of Premedical Advising or the Premedical Advisory Committee for further information about any of these programs. Pre-Physician Assistant / Pre-Chiropractic Students interested in pursuing a master of physician assistant studies or a doctor of chiropractic degree should be advised according to the premedical guidelines above. While these students should check with specific schools for details about prerequisites that can be unique to their intended profession, much of the coursework and preparation is similar to MD and DO programs. Students should consult with the Director of Premedical Advising, Dr. Amy Kerzmann, for further guidance. Pre-Physical Therapy/Sports Medicine Students interested in pursuing a degree in physical therapy after graduation from William Jewell should consult with the pre-physical therapy advisor, Dr. Maggie Sherer. The prerequisites for
physical therapy programs vary, but the advisor can assist in the selection of courses that meet the requirements of a specific school or in the selection of courses that meet a composite list of requirements derived from reviewing the requirements of many different schools. The general prerequisites are as follows: general chemistry I and II, General Biology (usually 2 courses), Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, College Physics I and II, Psychology (usually 2 courses), Statistics, English, and math. Students should consult catalogs for the physical therapy schools that they expect to attend for more specific lists of prerequisites. Students can pursue any major, but majors in biology, recreation & sport, or psychology should be considered. Pre-Pharmacy Students who intend to earn a pharmacy degree that requires prerequisite undergraduate work may have to transfer, when accepted to the pharmacy program, from William Jewell after one or two years of coursework. Before they arrive at Jewell, pre-pharmacy students should select pharmacy schools of interest and plan to complete prerequisite coursework at William Jewell for those specific degree programs. Some other students will remain at Jewell to get an undergraduate degree and then begin a graduate-level program in pharmacy or in a field related to pharmacy. They should generally follow a program of study similar to that of a pre-med student, with a special emphasis on courses in chemistry. Pre-Occupational Therapy (3:2 program) The catalog describes a curriculum that leads to a degree in psychology from William Jewell if the student is accepted into the master s program in occupational therapy at Washington University after three years at William Jewell. It will be best for the student to take CHE 113 during the fall of the first or second year. Consult with Dr. Ray Owens, the pre-ot advisor. Revised 5/15