Pre-Medicine

Physicians play a vital role in medicine — improving health, preventing disease, and enhancing quality of life. The Pre-Professional Pre-Medicine program at Alvernia University supports students preparing for medical school by offering personalized advising and multiple pathways to success. Many students choose to major in the sciences, most often biology or biochemistry, since these programs include the prerequisite coursework required by most medical schools. Students who select a different major may do so successfully, but they will need to complete additional courses to meet admission requirements. Alvernia students also have the opportunity to apply for an early acceptance program with LECOM or pursue admission to other medical schools through the traditional 4+4 program.

Students have the opportunity to meet with a Pre-Health Professions Advisor starting in their first year, and they are encouraged to meet with the advisor regularly each year after that. These meetings help students to learn how to prepare for medical/professional school applications, and allow them to plan their time and experiences at Alvernia accordingly.

Students are encouraged to join the Pre-Health Professions Club, which offers opportunities to connect with peers who share similar interests, explore different health professions, engage in community service, and build leadership skills.

In This Section

Pre-Professional Programs

Getting Started

Application Instructions: Through a rolling admission process, prospective undergraduate students — including first-year, transfer, and international students — may apply via the Alvernia web portal or The Common Application. To learn more about how to complete your application, please visit our application page.
Financing Your Education: There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

Graduate School Application Details

Graduate School Admission Requirements

Specific admission requirements vary per medical program. You should consult with schools of interest to determine their specific admission requirements.

Suggested Academic Preparation

Bachelor's degree: A bachelor's degree plus prerequisite courses in the sciences are the required for most medical schools.
Competitive academic record: Heavy course loads (17-18 credit hours by junior year), multiple science courses with labs in the same semester, and high grades in all courses, especially the sciences, are recommended.

Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)

The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is required for admission. The MCAT is computer-based and offered on set dates throughout the year. You should obtain the Official Guide to the MCAT as soon as possible and use it as a guide while preparing for the MCAT exam. Students are advised to complete coursework in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and physiology before taking the exam, ideally 13–15 months prior to enrollment. The computer-based test is administered by the Dental Admission Testing Program at Prometric Test Centers.

Centralized Application Service – AMCAS and AAACOMAS

American Medical College Application Service
Texas Medical Schools Application Service (For Medical Schools in Texas Only)
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service

AMCAS, AACOMAS, or TMDSAS will process the student’s application and forward it to the selected medical schools. The schools will then reach out to confirm receipt and provide instructions on any additional requirements, such as secondary applications or letters of recommendation/evaluation.

Resources

Regional Professional Schools

Curriculum

Most medical schools require the following coursework for admission to a graduate program:

Chemistry: 2 Semesters

General Chemistry I
General Chemistry II

Organic Chemistry: 2 Semesters

Organic Chemistry I
Organic Chemistry II

Biology: 2 Semesters

Principles of Biology I
Principles of Biology II

Physics: 2 Semesters

Physics I
Physics II

Some medical schools require the following coursework for admission to a graduate program:

Math: 3 Semesters

Calculus I
Calculus II
Statistics

English: 2 Semesters

Anatomy and Physiology: 2 Semesters

A & P I
A & P II

Upper-Level Sciences

Biochemistry
Genetics
Cell Biology
Microbiology

Program requirements are subject to change. Contact your admissions counselor for the most up-to-date information.

Career Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical doctors and surgeons is projected to grow 3 percent from 2023 to 2033. The median annual wage in 2024 was $239,200.

Experiential Learning

Internships: students have completed internships at a variety of sites, including hospitals, doctor's offices, and healthcare clinics. One specific example includes the Trauma Surgery Internship that the Science Department offers in collaboration with Reading Hospital, providing first-hand experience for one student per semester.
Research: students participate with Science Department faculty to complete research projects that make them more competitive in their applications to professional schools.
Student Organization: the Pre-Health Professions Club provides an opportunity for students who are interested in the healthcare field to come together to support one another and collaborate on a variety of experiential learning events and service projects.

Note: The observational hours/shadowing requirement varies from school to school. Refer to individual program admission requirements for details.

Partnership With Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

With a growing demand of healthcare professionals, Alvernia and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) partnered to help prepare new doctors, dentists and pharmacists. This special Early Acceptance Program (EAP) with LECOM allows students to apply to LECOM medical, dental, or pharmacy school as early as their senior year of high school. Students who meet the requirements in high school are conditionally accepted into both Alvernia and LECOM’s program simultaneously.

Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM) is a private college with locations in Pennsylvania and Florida. Its main campus is located in Erie, PA, with additional locations at LECOM at Seton Hill, in Greensburg, PA and LECOM Bradenton, a branch campus in Florida.

LECOM Early Acceptance Admission Requirements

SAT score greater than or equal to 1240 (Math and Critical Reading) or ACT score greater than or equal to 26
High school GPA of 3.5 or higher
Maintain a cumulative GPA at Alvernia of 3.4 or higher and a science GPA of 3.2 or higher

4 + 4 Track: Students must enroll in the Early Acceptance Program by Feb. 1 of their second year at Alvernia University. After completing four years at Alvernia and meeting GPA, and other requirements, students enter LECOM the following July. LECOM graduates will receive a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree and Alvernia will award the graduate with an appropriate bachelor's degree.