It can be challenging for students who know what area they are interested in but have not gained enough experience to decide what field or where they want to go with their newfound interests. Luckily, The College Sage has done some research and has great news for students aspiring to work in the Medical Field. There are two separate tracks that we are excited about: the Interdisciplinary Medical Science Major and the Early Assurance Program.
First, let’s break down the Interdisciplinary Medical Science Major. At any participating school, this major consists of a rigorous science curriculum, specialized advising, and a course sequence to help students determine the career path that best fits their strengths. It is a great way for students who know they want to be in the medical field but are not sure exactly what they want to do, to have some guidance and personalized attention to hone their skills for a future career. Some of the possible career choices from graduating with this major include working in medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, physician assistants, pharmaceuticals, and businesses. Interested in this major? One university pioneering this close link between pre-med curriculum and advising is Florida State University. The link to the FSU Interdisciplinary Medical Science Major outlining the details are listed below.
Interdisciplinary Medical Science Majors
FSU: https://med.fsu.edu/imsDegree/home
The IMS Major at FSU has three different tracks to choose from - Clinical Professions Major, Community Patient Care Major, and Health Management, Policy, and Information Major. To start, most students have to take basic math, like precalculus or algebra, and an introductory psychology class. In addition to that, students will take intro Biology, Chemistry, and Physics classes, and then go on to take Organic Chemistry I and II and Biochemistry. Lastly, students will get to take classes more tailored to their concentration/specialty. In comparison, a typical Health Sciences major would require students to take biology, chemistry, and social sciences (psychology or econ). Then they would go into more specific areas like molecular biology, anatomy and physiology, and genetics. After that, in their last year or two of college, they would take courses to prepare them for their future careers, like health care technology, the US health system, ethics, leadership, management, global health, epidemiology, etc. Overall, both majors start with the same fundamental courses and as you progress through school, allow you to have more freedom with what you take next as it relates to your future career. While there are not many differences between the IMS Major and a Health Sciences Major, one pro of the IMS Major is that you can receive specialized guidance from advisors if you are undecided about what field of medicine to go into. For more information on health sciences majors check out the links below!
A second unique opportunity within the pre-med realm is the opportunity to apply for the Early Assurance (EA) Program. This program allows students who are not yet in college (or in their first or second year) to be accepted early into medical school. Once you have applied to your school’s program, you can be accepted contingent on meeting a certain minimum GPA and/ or MCAT score. These programs are highly selective and only accept a few students each year.
While most colleges that offer this EA Program, do so only for current college sophomores and juniors (we list those schools at the end of this blog), we highlight a unique opportunity at Temple University and Case Western University that accepts incoming freshmen.
Temple University allows qualified high school seniors to be accepted into the Katz School of Medicine upon the completion of their undergrad degree. They have two programs - the BA/MD program and the Pre-Med Health Scholar Program. The qualifications for the Temple University BA/MD EA program include:
Must apply and be accepted to Washington & Jefferson College
Completion of a variety of AP coursework
Minimum combined SAT score of 1350, minimum combined ACT score of 31
Complete your baccalaureate degree at Washington and Jefferson & Medical Degree at Katz
The qualifications for the Temple University Pre-Med Health Scholar EA program include:
Submit a Pre-Med Health Scholar Program application (and regular Temple University Application) and participate in an interview day at the undergraduate campus
High school GPA of 3.8 or higher
Minimum SAT score of 1350 or ACT of 32
Case Western University offers high school seniors an outstanding opportunity in their PreProfessional Scholars Program (PPSP). When applying, you can select either ED or RD, but keep in mind if you apply ED, your acceptance is binding regardless of whether or not you are accepted into the PPSP. Case Western has two separate programs, one for Dentistry, which takes about 10 students/year, and one for Medicine which takes about 15-20 students/year.
The qualifications for the Dentistry EA program include:
7 years: 3 undergrad (but an undergrad degree is not required), 4 dental school
GPA of 3.5 overall and in science
A Perceptual Ability score of 18 or higher and an Academic Average score of 19 or higher on the Dental Admission Test (DAT) of the American Dental Association. The test must be taken no later than October of the third year.
Successful completion of a SAGES First Seminar, two University Seminars, a SAGES writing portfolio, at least one course in the arts and humanities, at least one course in the social sciences, and two semesters of physical education.
Interview with faculty after grades are received from the fall semester of junior year
Completion of specific courses with a minimum of 30 credit hours in biology, chemistry, physics, and math
The qualifications for the Medicine EA program include:
8 years: 4 undergrad, 4 med school
A CWRU cumulative GPA of 3.63 and a cumulative American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) GPA and AMCAS Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and MATH (BCPM) GPA of 3.63 at the time of application and maintained on final graduation transcripts.
Pre-Professional Scholars in Medicine are not required to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) for the program. However, if they do take the MCAT, they are expected to achieve a score that is above the 94th percentile.
Able to choose any undergrad degree at the university
Colleges that offer EA Programs to current college sophomores/juniors include:
Wake Forest
Albany
BU
ECU
Dartmouth
Mount Sinai
Georgetown
Northwestern
Penn State
Tulane
Tufts
UC Riverside
UChicago
Arizona
Florida
Kentucky
Rochester
Toledo
If any of these programs or majors look interesting to you, feel free to contact The College Sage! Our Sagers have gone on to the FSU Interdisciplinary Medical Science Major and one of those coveted 10 spots in the Dentistry Early Assurance Program at Case Western! We can help your college dreams come true!
