Preparation for Medical School, Dental School, Veterinary Medical School, Podiatry School and Osteopathic Medical School

Bellarmine University prepares students for application to professional schools in the various fields of medicine. The medical professions include: traditional medicine (also called allopathic medicine), osteopathic medicine, dental medicine, podiatric medicine, and veterinary medicine. Entrance requirements for admission into medical, dental, and veterinary schools are extremely competitive and favor students who are highly motivated, self-starting, and committed to achieving their professional objectives early in their college studies.

All students must meet with the chair of the Pre-Medical Advisory Committee (PMAC) during their junior year to discuss pre-admission testing and application procedures for the schools they are interested in. The application process is different for each type of medical program. Each application service has its own submission dates and final deadlines that are detailed on their websites. The PMAC recommends that you complete and submit your online applications no later than mid-July unless special circumstances apply. Once your online application has been submitted, individual schools will send you detailed secondary or supplemental applications to complete and will ask for an official ‘committee letter of evaluation’.

The PMAC is responsible for writing the letters of evaluation required by the professional schools. Students will be asked to submit a portfolio of information to the PMAC for each program that needs a letter written. The PMAC generally requires 3-4 weeks to complete most evaluation letters once a completed portfolio has been received.

Students who think they might be interested in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, podiatry, or osteopathic medicine should talk with the pre-medical advisors, science faculty, careers services, and the professionals in the various fields. In addition, the various department clubs (Biology, BMB, Chemistry, CLS.) often have special programs dedicated to medical careers, admission processes, and other activities of interest. All students are encouraged to join and participate in these student organizations.

Thomas E. Bennett, Ph.D., (email)
Biology, Chair, Premedical Advising Committee
Norton Health Science Center 111 / 502.452.8198

Graham W.L. Ellis, Ph.D. (email)
Chemistry
Pasteur Hall 212 / 502.452.8218

Mary O. Huff, Ph.D. (email)
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Pasteur Hall 155 / 502.452.8495

David J. Porta, Ph.D. (email)
Biology
Pasteur Hall 158 / 502.452.8009

Joseph F. Sinski, Ph.D. (email)
Chemistry
Pasteur Hall 254 / 502.452.8219

Each area of medicine has its own specific entrance requirements including: prerequisite course work and GPA standards, pre-admission exams (MCAT, DAT, VCAT, GRE), experiences and familiarity with the career (via shadowing, volunteering, and employment), involvement and leadership in extracurricular activities, evidence of a commitment to community service, independent research, letters of evaluation, and formal application procedures with interviews. Students interested in pursuing a medical career should investigate the websites maintained by the professional organizations for current admission requirements.

Association of American Medical Colleges
American Dental Education Association
Association of American Veterinary Medical College
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine

While medical schools place no restrictions upon a student’s choice of a major, it is recommended that the following science and math courses be completed by the end of the junior year (assuming a four year graduation path).

Biology 130 Principles of Biology (with lab)
Biology 231 Cell Biology (with lab)
Biology 240 Genetics (with lab)
Biology 314 Vertebrate Physiology (with lab)
Chemistry 103 General College Chemistry I (with lab)
Chemistry 104 General College Chemistry II (with lab)
Chemistry 205 Organic Chemistry I (with lab)
Chemistry 206 Organic Chemistry II (with lab)
Math 117 Calculus I or Math 205 Statistics (some medical schools require two college math courses)
Physics 201 College Physics I (with lab)
Physics 202 College Physics II (with lab)

Due to the sequential nature of these courses, it is important that all pre-medical students begin taking science classes during their first semester so they will be on track to apply to medical schools between their junior and senior years. It is recommended that a student considering medicine make contact with one of the pre-medical advisors as soon as possible in order to incorporate the required science courses into their chosen major.