Pre-Professional Programs FAQ

What is your placement rate into medical school?

In the last five years, 88% of student applicants completing our degree programs in science have entered medical school.

How have your students scored on the MCAT?

• Our average MCAT score of applicants was 29.1 percent.
• Our average MCAT of interviewees was 29.9 percent.
• Our average MCAT of those accepted was 29.3 percent.

Where have your students gone to medical school?

• University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
• The University of Texas Medical School at Houston
• Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine
• Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
• University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine
• University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio
• The University of Kansas School of Medicine
• Medical College of Wisconsin
• The Chicago Medical School of Rosalind Franklin University
• American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
• University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
• Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine

Where have your students gone to dental school?

• The University of Connecticut Health Center School of Dental Medicine
• University of Mississippi School of Dentistry
• The Ohio State University College of Dentistry
• Baylor College of Dentistry

Must I complete a bachelor’s degree to get into medical or dental school?

It is rare for a student without a bachelor’s degree to rank highly in the applicant pool for graduate programs, including medicine and dentistry. Exceptional students may win acceptance.

What should I pick as my major?

We recommend a bachelor’s degree that will provide the broad liberal arts exposure as well as the required courses specified by the professional school. Our Bachelor of Science degrees generally include some additional courses that will make the basic biomedical sciences courses less stressful. Courses such as biochemistry, cell biology and integrated vertebrate anatomy and physiology.

The best degrees are the biology, B.S. and chemistry, B.S., biological concentration.

What kind of grades must I earn in my undergraduate degree?

You want to present yourself as the best applicant as possible. Generally As and Bs, with no D or F grades. Few Ws, if any, are preferable. Our graduates have entered medical school with undergraduate GPAs from 3.4 to 4.0. The average GPA of our students is 3.7.

Admission Committees are looking to see if you can handle the academic load and rigor of a graduate school program. They are impressed by the best, not the minimum.

What kind of volunteer activities must I do?

Participate in any activities that demonstrate your ability to compassionately care for people in need. A consistent record of serving others without expecting reciprocation is favored. Check out some of the Volunteer Opportunities in Longview.

What is the difference between a MD and a PA?

The physician (MD) is the leader and chief of the health care team. They have the most training and responsibility. They are often the ones who must efficiently and correctly solve the problem. The Physician Assistant is also someone who provides significant care, but is often limited to more routine cases and has less authority. The PA also has less liability, as they practice under the supervision of the MD.

Physicians train for at least 7 years after undergraduate school. Some train for 11 or 12 years after their bachelor’s degree, depending on the specialty and if a fellowship period is included.

Physician assistants train about 3 years after their undergraduate degree but often have significant clinical work experience, such as in the military medical corps, as a paramedic or as a nurse.