PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS
Our pre-professional programs offer students the prerequisite courses necessary to prepare for application to a graduate program. We do not offer a specific degree in these areas and Newberry College cannot guarantee admission to any specific graduate program.
Pre-Professional Programs
Overview
Students may major in any area as long as the necessary coursework for entrance into the pre-professional program has been completed. Many students choose biology or chemistry as their major due to the quantity of required coursework in these areas. Students should find out the necessary coursework through websites from the professional schools in which they are interested in applying. The appropriate science faculty advisor will help you develop an individual plan for completion of necessary coursework. The science faculty have very general four year templates for each pre-professional program. Of importance for candidates to all professional health programs is the completion of 2-3 volunteer, internship, or job shadowing experiences within the area of intended study. These show the professional schools that candidates are serious about their chosen future career path and have an understanding of their intended profession. Further, applicants are expected to have excellent oral and written communication skills.
The recent trends in admission to Medical schools have been to reduce the number of courses required for admission. However, the standardized test, the Medical College Admission test (MCAT) is a criteria by which admission is granted. The MCAT is undergoing major changes during 2015. Scores reflect a student’s ability in four areas: biological and biochemical foundations of living systems; chemical and physical foundations of living systems; psychological, social, and biological foundations of behavior, and critical analysis and reasoning skills. For additional information on the MCAT content please see the following link: https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/mcat2015/ Scores on the MCAT will be greatly enhanced by completion of appropriate courses prior to taking the MCAT during the summer before the senior year.
Dental school admission requirements include the Dental Admission Test (DAT). For more information on DAT content see the following link: http://www.ada.org/dat.aspx Scores on the DAT will be greatly enhanced by completion of appropriate courses prior to taking the DAT during the summer before the senior year.
Veterinary Medical school admission requirements include the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) (for GRE information, see the following link: http://www.ets.org/gre/) or the Medical College Admission test (MCAT). For MCAT information, see the following link: https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/mcat2015/) .
Scores on the MCAT will be greatly enhanced by completion of appropriate courses prior to taking the MCAT during the summer before the senior year. South Carolina does not have a veterinary school; hence South Carolina residents must attend an out-of- state veterinary school. However, students may be considered in-state residents for tuition purposes at the University of Georgia, Tuskegee University (Alabama) and Mississippi State University.
The Pre-pharmacy program prepares students for application to the clinical doctorate program in Pharmacy (PharmD). The pharmacy schools of South Carolina have merged into the South Carolina College of Pharmacy with campuses in both Charleston and Columbia. A new Pharmacy program opened at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina and has enrolled its first class in fall, 2010.
The health professions programs of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy both require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) For more information on the GRE, see the following link: http://www.ets.org/gre/. Most Physician Assistant programs require at least two years of college courses in basic science and behavioral science as prerequisites. Students interested in Chiropractic programs must have completed 90 semester hours of coursework to be accepted with no required graduate exam.
Any student interested in any of the above health sciences and also in doing research in these fields
is invited to join the Future Medical Professional Association (FMPA). This student organization will offer many opportunities to do volunteer projects, apply for internships, get helpful tips for applications and interviews, overall networking, and also have fun. This organization is advised by Dr. Valarie Burnett. Career services makes available practice entrance exams for students to take multiple times prior to taking the actual exam.
Additionally, Newberry College pre-professional advisory board, pre-professional advisors and mentors, along with career services will guide pre-professional students through undergraduate preparation for graduate school.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I prepare for a professional degree as an undergraduate? Where do I start?
A: The expectations include a specific minimum GPA, Experiential Learning opportunities (Internships, Research), required entrance tests, prerequisite course requirements, degree requirements, and choice of a major. Your Science Faculty Advisor will discuss each of these with you. In addition, a preliminary 4-year plan of study for each pre-professional track at Newberry has been created to assist you in developing your plan of study while at Newberry College.
Q: How will Newberry College Help me prepare for professional school?
A: Newberry College has excellent PhD-prepared faculty with expertise to prepare you for entrance into your chosen professional school. Additional assistance is provided by:
The student organization, FMPA: Future Medical Professional Association, was created to provide students with opportunities for interaction with professionals and other students.
The Newberry College Board of Professionals provides students with an opportunity for interaction and networking to improve their professional school entrance applications.
Specialty Advisors will guide you in preparing for your chosen pre-professional area and you will also have an advisor within your major.
Q: What are my responsibilities for preparation?
A: We recommend that you:
Communicate with your specialty advisor on a regular basis.
Register and prepare for entrance exams at the appropriate time.
Research the pre-professional programs, requirements, and expectations for the program in which you are interested.
Plan time for internships, shadowing, research, and other experiences in preparation for the application process.
Develop your individual 4-year plan.
Plan time for internships, shadowing, research and other experiences in preparation for the application process.
Develop a 4 year plan.
