Pre-Professional Health Programs Guaranteed Interviews

A.T. Still University (ATSU) is the founding institution of osteopathic healthcare, established in 1892 by Andrew Taylor Still.

The Physician Assistant program, located only on the Mesa, Arizona campus, has reserved interview slots for qualified students.

• For Physician Assistant program, undergraduate student must be enrolled in bachelor degree program and be on track to complete all prerequisite coursework for the PA program at AT Still.

An outline of qualifications for applicants are provided below. Interested students must contact Benedictine University’s Director of Pre-Health Professions programs for more details.

Physician Assistant Studies:

https://www.atsu.edu/physician-assistant-degree

Application qualifications:

1. Letter of endorsement from the Director, Pre-Health Program at BenU submitted no later than April 15^th the year prior to anticipated matriculation
2. Submit an application through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (“CASPA”) by the deadline.
3. Demonstrate commitment to community service, particularly to underserved and/or vulnerable populations.
4. Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of the physician assistant profession, including but not limited to physician assistant shadowing for a minimum of 40 hours.
5. Complete prerequisite requirements for admission to the program detailed on the ATSU-DPAS website.
6. GRE must be taken within 5 years of application date. Minimum of 25^th percentile for Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical.
7. Cumulative Overall GPA (including all undergraduate and graduate courses, if applicable) minimum prior to matriculation: 3.0 and Cumulative Science GPA minimum 3.0  (All GPAs are as calculated by CASPA)
8. Submit three letters of recommendation from professionals to CASPA:
   1. Employer or supervisor.
   2. Healthcare practitioner (physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner)
   3. Science faculty member

Throughout its 41 years in Ponce, PHSU has graduated more than 2,000 physicians, biomedical scientists and masters in medical sciences.  Our mission is to educate bilingual ethical professionals who provide compassionate, culturally competent health care and generate high impact research to reduce health disparities in the populations we serve in Puerto Rico and the US, through high quality education in a diverse environment. The relationship with Benedictine University permits students who are fluent in English and Spanish to complete their prerequisite requirements at Benedictine University, then transition into PHSU’s School of Medicine to enroll in a world-class MD program. These students are guaranteed an interview if they continue to meet specific academic and extracurricular criteria.

For students in a B.S. Program

https://www.psm.edu/school-of-medicine/md-program

• Be on-track to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in a natural science from BenU prior to matriculation at PHSU-SOMPR.
• Meet all admission requirements of PHSU-SOMPR, including that the student is fluently bilingual in English and Spanish (requires at least one Spanish course taken at BenU).
• Cumulative Overall GPA of at least 3.5 and Science GPA of at least 3.5, and maintain status as a full-time student at BenU
• Have a minimum MCAT score of 500
• Participation in community service activities consistent with the goal of entering the medical profession.
• Participate in clinical experiences, including shadowing, employment or volunteer work where interaction with and direct observation of a physician (unrelated to applicant) interacting with patients occurs.
• Completion of the AMCAS application
• Submit a letter of intention to PHSU-SOMPR admissions office by November 1 and apply to PHSU-SOMPR by November 30 during the year prior to matriculation at PHSU-SOMPR.

For participation in all affiliate programs, please consult the Director of the Pre-Health Professions Program as soon as possible for additional information.

Benedictine University and Midwestern University partner to provide guaranteed admissions interviews for qualified students from Benedictine to attend Midwestern University’s College of Dental Medicine- Illinois (CDMI). Pre-dental students meeting academic and other qualifications complete coursework and clinical experiences while at Benedictine, and are guaranteed an interview at CDMI to qualify for positions in the next dental school class.

View the Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois Admission Requirements here.

In addition to the Midwestern University’s CDMI admission requirements, Benedictine University students must also:

1) Apply for admission to Midwestern University via AADSAS by July 15 before their last academic year of the Bachelors of Science degree at Benedictine University. Translation – between their junior and senior year.

2) Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or higher

3) Have no final course grade less than a “C” in the Bachelors of Science degree program

4) Have completed at least four upper division (>= 3000-level BIOL-, CHEM-) lecture courses in the College of Science and Health.

5) Have completed the DAT within the last 12 months prior to application

6) Be recommend by the Director of Pre-professional programs (with written input from the Health Professions Recommendation Committee, or a College of Science and Health faculty member who knows the student well).

Shadowing a dentist is strongly recommended.

All students must apply and be admitted to Benedictine University to qualify for this opportunity at Midwestern University.

• Apply to Benedictine University here

Applicants are expected to:

• Demonstrate a people or service orientation through community service or extracurricular
  activities.
• Demonstrate motivation for and commitment to the optometry profession as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer, or other life experiences.
• Possess the oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and
  colleagues.

Marian University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-COM) has a program that will give Benedictine University pre-medical students opportunities for early decision admission into, or a guaranteed interview with, MU-COM.  Click for more information on qualifications and application processes for undergraduate students.

Visit Marian University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine web site for additional information.

Trine University will offer guaranteed interviews to all qualified BenU students under our active Memorandum of Understanding.

https://www.trine.edu/academics/majors-degrees/graduate/master-physician-assistant-studies/index.aspx

Qualified students:

• Achieve an undergraduate overall GPA ≥ 3.2
• Each final course grade earned is a C or better
• Complete the GRE General Test within the last 5 years
• Apply for admission via CASPA by November 1
• Must meet all other applicable admissions standards https://www.trine.edu/academics/majors-degrees/graduate/master-physician-assistant-studies/admission-requirements.aspx
  • Must be a citizen or legal resident of the United States or Canada (with proper qualifications to study in the US)
  • Must meet the Technical Standards (https://trine.edu/academics/majors-degrees/graduate/master-physician-assistant-studies/technical-standards.aspx) Included in enrollment checklist and documentation
  • No history of felony conviction, as defined by U.S. Code

A.T. Still University (ATSU) is the founding institution of osteopathic healthcare, established in 1892 by Andrew Taylor Still. ATSU has campuses in Kirksville, Mo., and Mesa, Arizona.

ATSU is renowned for its preeminence as a multidisciplinary healthcare educator. The University is focused on integrating the founding tenets of osteopathic medicine and the advancing knowledge of today’s science. ATSU continually earns distinctions as the graduate health sciences university with best-in-class curriculum and a community outreach mission to serve the underserved. The University has a rich history of leadership in both healthcare education and correlated research.

ATSU instills within students the compassion, experience and knowledge required to address the whole person and shape healthcare in communities where needs are greatest. Inspired to influence whole person healthcare, ATSU graduates contribute to the future of integrated care while also leading with a selfless passion in the communities they serve.

Each of the campus’ programs in Medicine and Dentistry have reserved interview slots for qualified students in Benedictine University’s Master of Science in Integrative Physiology (M.S.I.P.) program. The Physician Assistant program is available on the Mesa, AZ campus only.

Medicine (each campus has their own link):

https://www.atsu.edu/school-of-osteopathic-medicine-arizona/academics/do-program

https://www.atsu.edu/kirksville-college-of-osteopathic-medicine/academics/do-program

• Cumulative Overall GPA minimum: 3.3 and Cumulative Science GPA minimum 3.3 including MSIP courses (All GPAs are as calculated by AACOMAS);
• Demonstrated participation in community service activities
• Minimum 100 hours clinical experiences with at least 2 different physicians where doctor-patient interaction can be observed.
• Have a minimum MCAT score of 501, with the test date occurring within 3 years of application.
• Strong letters of support, including one from the MSIP Program Director and one from an Osteopathic Physician.
• Completion of the AACOMAS application
• Submit a letter of intent to ATSU admissions office and apply to ATSU by July 15 following completion of the MSIP degree.

Dentistry (each campus has their own link):

https://www.atsu.edu/arizona-school-of-dentistry-and-oral-health

https://www.atsu.edu/missouri-school-of-dentistry-and-oral-health

• Cumulative Overall GPA minimum: 3.3 and Cumulative Science GPA minimum 3.3  including MSIP courses (All GPAs are as calculated by AADSAS);
• Demonstrated participation in community service activities
• Minimum 100 hours clinical experiences with at least 2 different dentists where dentist-patient interaction can be observed.
• Have a minimum DAT score of 17 (Missouri) or 19 (Arizona), with the test date occurring within 3 years of application.
• Strong letters of support, including one from the MSIP Program Director and one from a dentist.
• Completion of the AADSAS application
• Submit a letter of intent to ATSU admissions office and apply to ATSU by July 31 following completion of the MSIP degree

Physician Assistant (Mesa, AZ campus only)

https://www.atsu.edu/physician-assistant-degree

• Letter of endorsement from the MSIP Program Director at BenU submitted no later than April 15^th the year prior to anticipated matriculation
• Submit an application through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (“CASPA”) by the deadline.
• Demonstrate commitment to community service, particularly to underserved and/or vulnerable populations.
• Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of the physician assistant profession, including but not limited to physician assistant shadowing for a minimum of 40 hours.
• Complete prerequisite requirements for admission to the program detailed on the ATSU-DPAS website (link above)
• GRE must be taken within 5 years of application date. Minimum of 25^th percentile for Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical.
• Cumulative Overall GPA (including all undergraduate and graduate courses, if applicable) minimum prior to matriculation: 3.0 and Cumulative Science GPA minimum 3.0  (All GPAs are as calculated by CASPA)
• Submit three letters of recommendation from professionals to CASPA:
  1. Employer or supervisor.
  2. Healthcare practitioner (physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner)
  3. Science faculty member

Throughout its 41 years in Ponce, PHSU has graduated more than 2,000 physicians, biomedical scientists and masters in medical sciences.  Our mission is to educate bilingual ethical professionals who provide compassionate, culturally competent health care and generate high impact research to reduce health disparities in the populations we serve in Puerto Rico and the US, through high quality education in a diverse environment. The relationship with Benedictine University permits students who are fluent in English and Spanish to complete their prerequisite requirements at Benedictine University, then transition into PHSU’s School of Medicine to enroll in a world-class MD program. These students are guaranteed an interview if they continue to meet specific academic and extracurricular criteria.

For students in the M.S.I.P. Program

https://www.psm.edu/school-of-medicine/md-program/

• Be on-track to complete Master of Science in Integrative Physiology (MSIP) at BenU prior to matriculation at PHSU-SOMPR.
• Meet all admission requirements of PHSU-SOMPR, including that the student is fluently bilingual in English and Spanish (requires at least one Spanish course taken at BenU).
• Cumulative Overall GPA minimum: 3.0 and Cumulative Science GPA minimum 3.0 including MSIP courses (All GPAs are as calculated by AMCAS).
• A MSIP student must have a program GPA of at least 3.75 and maintain status as a full-time student at BenU
• Have a minimum MCAT score of 500
• Participation in community service activities consistent with the goal of entering the medical profession.
• Participate in clinical experiences, including shadowing, employment or volunteer work where interaction with and direct observation of a physician (unrelated to applicant) interacting with patients occurs.
• Completion of the AMCAS application
• Submit a letter of intention to PHSU-SOMPR admissions office by November 1 and apply to PHSU-SOMPR by November 30 during the year prior to matriculation at PHSU-SOMPR.

Midwestern University’s College of Pharmacy, Downers Grove Campus Pharm.D. program

If you are currently enrolled in Benedictine University’s Master of Science in Integrative Physiology (MSlP) program, you may be eligible for a guaranteed interview as an applicant to Midwestern University’s College of Pharmacy, Downers Grove Campus Pharm.D. program. To qualify for a guaranteed interview as part of the application process, you must meet the following criteria:

• Meet all traditional admission requirements of Midwestern University’s pharmacy program.
• Apply for admission to Midwestern University using PharmCAS by the April 1st deadline for Summer enrollment at Midwestern University immediately following the completion of the MSlP at Benedictine.
• Have an MSlP program GPA of 3.5 or higher at the time of application to Midwestern University.
• No final course grade less than a “C” in Benedictine University’s MSlP program.
• Have a Cumulative Overall GPA of 3.2 or higher, including courses taken in Benedictine University’s MSlP program.
• Be recommended by the Director of the MSlP program with an additional letter from a professional or academic reference.
• Patient contact experience is highly recommended, particularly to demonstrate a discernment process to enter the pharmacy profession.
• All applicants must meet Midwestern University’s technical standards, which is essential to delineate the psychomotor, cognitive and affective skills needed for matriculation into, continuation in, and graduation from the educational program.
• If accepted into the program, must meet all other enrollment requirements including but not limited to medical, criminal background, and substance abuse clearance.

Midwestern University’s Chicago College of Optometry

CCO will offer guaranteed interviews to students enrolled in Benedictine University’s Master of Science in Integrative Physiology (M.S.I.P.) Program who apply as a traditional applicant to CCO and who satisfy these requirements:

1. Must meet all admission requirements of CCO.
2. Must submit a completed application to OptomCAS by April 1 for enrollment at CCO in Fall Quarter immediately following the completion of the M.S.I.P. Program.
3. Have an M.S.I.P. program GPA of at least 3.5 (out of 4.0) at the time of application to CCO.
4. Have completed all courses in the M.S.I.P. Program with a minimum grade of C or higher.
5. Have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher, including courses taken before and during the M.S.I.P. Program.
6. Provide OAT scores showing a Minimum Academic Average and Total Science scores of 300 each. OAT test scores must be earned no more than 5 years prior to the planned enrollment year.
7. Submit two letters of recommendation. One letter must be from a practicing optometrist. The other letter must be from the Director of the M.S.I.P. Program.
8. Demonstrate a good understanding of optometric medicine. Candidates are strongly encouraged to shadow and observe a number of practicing optometrists in the clinical setting.
9. Demonstrate a commitment to service through extracurricular and/or community activities.

Trine University’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies

Trine University will offer guaranteed interviews to students enrolled in Benedictine University’s Master of Science in Integrative Physiology (M.S.I.P.) program who apply as a traditional applicant to Trine University’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies.

Visit Trine University’s Physician Assistant website for more information

To qualify for the interview, the M.S.I.P. student must:

• Meet all admission requirements of the Trine University PA program including equivalent for Medical Terminology as integrated into the M.S.I.P. program. https://www.trine.edu/academics/majors-degrees/graduate/master-physician-assistant-studies/admission-requirements.aspx
• Apply for admission to Trine University via CASPA by November 1 following completion of the Master of Science degree at Benedictine University.
• Have an M.S.I.P. program cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• Have a Cumulative Overall GPA of 3.2 or higher, including courses taken in the Benedictine University’s Master of Science in Integrative Physiology program. All GPAs are as calculated by CASPA.
• Completion of the GRE General test within the last 5 years. A combined verbal/ quantitative score of 300 minimum is considered competitive and quantitative above 150.
• Be recommended by the Director of the M.S. in Integrative Physiology program with an additional letter from a professional or academic reference.
• Patient contact experience is highly recommended, particularly to demonstrate a discernment process to enter the PA profession
• All applicants must be a US citizen or legal resident

Marian University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-COM) has a program that will give Benedictine University pre-medical students opportunities for early decision admission into, or a guaranteed interview with, MU-COM.  Click for more information on qualifications and application processes for M.S. in Integrative Physiology students.

Visit Marian University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine web site for additional information.

M.S. in Integrative Physiology Affiliation with LECOM – Interview Track

Medical

Qualifications:

• Minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.30
• SAT: 1170, ACT: 24
• Minimum MCAT: 500*

*MCAT exempt if coursework of Biochemistry and Genetics are taken and a grade of “B” or higher.

Medical Information Sheet

Dental

Qualifications:

• Minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.30
• DAT: 19 or greater, with a minimum of 19 in both Reading Comprehension and Perception Ability
• A minimum of 100 hours of shadowing in a clinical dental setting is required.

Dental Information Sheet

Pharmacy*

Qualifications:

• Minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Provide writing assessment
• If PCAT has been taken, the essay score will be used in place of the writing assessment.

*This includes the Accelerated 3 year program in Erie, PA or the Traditional 4 year program in Bradenton, FL.

Pharmacy Information Sheet