Pre-Health Information

The Citadel provides extensive support and resources to pre-health students who are preparing to apply to medical, dental, veterinary, PA or PT school, or any other health-related program. Some resources include pre-professional clubs, service opportunities, personal advising, access to enrichment activities, a summer study abroad trip, and a mentorship program. Dr. Patrice Capers, (opens in a new tab) Dr. Colleen Quaas, Dr. Sarah Imam (opens in a new tab) and Dr. Kimbo Yee (opens in a new tab) are the pre-health advisors at The Citadel.  Drs. Capers and Quaas are the faculty advisors for the  “Pre-Health Society” club and Drs. Imam and Yee are the advisors for the AED club.  Please email us if you have any questions or if you would like to be added to our Canvas resource courses. The Citadel offers many majors that prepare students well, and our students enjoy a very high acceptance rate to medical school, as compared with the national average.

Accelerated Entry to MUSC (3+4) Program (opens in a new tab): The Citadel Biology Department is excited to announce that we have officially entered into an agreement with MUSC for accelerated entry for Biology majors into medical or dental school.  

Pre-Health Mentoring Program

Pre-Health Advisors

Dr. Colleen Quaas
Dr. Patrice Capers
Dr. Patrice Capers
Dr. Sarah Imam
Dr. Sarah Imam
Dr. Kimbo Yee  
Dr. Kimbo Yee  

Please scroll down, or choose the following links if you need information concerning becoming an MD physician (opens in a new tab), becoming a DO physician (opens in a new tab), veterinary (opens in a new tab), dental (opens in a new tab), physician assistant (opens in a new tab), nursing (opens in a new tab), optometry (opens in a new tab), pharmacy (opens in a new tab), public health (opens in a new tab), or other health-related professional (opens in a new tab)schools.

Please scroll down, or choose the following links if you need information concerning pre-requisites (opens in a new tab), applications (opens in a new tab), choosing a profession (opens in a new tab), interviews (opens in a new tab), personal statements (opens in a new tab), letters of recommendation (opens in a new tab), volunteer and enrichment opportunities (opens in a new tab), scholarship opportunities (opens in a new tab), programs for disadvantaged students (opens in a new tab), and other resources (opens in a new tab).

Useful resources:

Learn Which Profession is Right for You

Science and Math Pre-Requisites to Take Before Applying

Table of common pre-requisite courses for various pre-health programs (opens in a new tab).
Pre-Vet Pre-Reqs, see p. 6
Recommended Pre-Med Curriculum for Biology Majors (opens in a new tab)
Most medical schools require or recommend the following undergraduate science and math courses: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Organic Chemistry, Calculus, and Biochemistry. Some additional coursework may be required for some medical schools (opens in a new tab); check with each school to get its exact list of prerequisites.

Some medical schools now require another test, in addition to the MCAT, called a judgement test.  There are two popular options: CASPer and PREview.  You can learn more at these links: Information about Situational Judgement Exams (opens in a new tab) ; Which MD medical schools require judgement exams? (opens in a new tab) ; Explore Admissions Requirements for DO medical schools: search “CASPer” (opens in a new tab)

Pre-Requisites for the Four SC Medical Schools

Applications

Centralized Application Services for Various Health Professional Schools 

You have done great things; make sure to describe your activities well when you apply.  The selection committee needs to know what your awards and positions entailed.  Take time to explain your leadership roles.  Polish all written responses the way you polished your brass as a knob; make them shine.  If you are applying to Uniformed Services University (opens in a new tab), be sure to emphasize your military experience here at The Citadel, and wear your uniform when you interview there.

Applying In-State vs. Out-of-State

Most private schools give no preference to in-state students, but many public schools accept very few from out-of-state. Criteria for in-state classification vary by institution, sometimes even within the same state. If you are not sure what is required by a particular college to be designated with in-state residency, you must consult their web site or contact their “Residency Officer.” Having an in-state driver’s license and voter registration card is a good start.

Additional information is provided in two locations on campus: The third floor corridor of Duckett Hall houses a bookcase full of Pre-Health Information, and the third floor corridor of Bond Hall houses a bulletin board posted with important notifications and information. Apply early; many schools use rolling admissions, meaning that the earlier you apply, the better your chance of being accepted.

Applying to medical or dental school can be overwhelming.  White Coat Strategists is a consulting firm that will mentor you through the entire process, so that you can put your best foot forward.  Learn more here (opens in a new tab).

For Re-Applicants

  • If you need to boost your science GPA or improve your MCAT scores, many schools now offer one-year Masters in Biomedical Science programs that are designed to help students transition into medical/dental/veterinary school. Just search “masters biomedical science” to find a program suited to you.
  • Post-baccalaureate  (opens in a new tab)Programs to take missing prereqs and/or improve GPA (opens in a new tab)
    • Post-Baccalaureate Programs offer students who were able to complete all prerequisites in college the opportunity to take the required science courses prior to applying to medical school or to other Pre-Health Graduate Programs. Graduates of Post-Baccalaureate Programs typically enjoy high success in Medical School admissions. You can search available programs by various criteria at this AAMC web site: Search Postbac Programs. Be sure to use the drop-down menu to select the correct “Special Program Focus.” Also, if you want to be enlisted in the military, this is a good option: Enlisted to Medical Degree Preparatory Program (EMDP2) (opens in a new tab)

Prepare for Interviews

Writing a Personal Statement

Letters of Recommendation

Volunteer and Enrichment Opportunities for now or for a “Gap” year after graduation

Enrichment Opportunities Abroad

Please read the guidelines below before participating in mission trips and health outreach abroad. Pre-Health students are not licensed practitioners, and it is unethical and unsafe for them to practice medicine in another country, even if that country does not restrict medical practice.

Reading for Enrichment

Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarship Opportunities for Citadel Pre-Health Students: The Citadel offers several scholarships for pre-health students, please contact The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships (opens in a new tab) for details.

Programs for Disadvantaged Students

For Native Americans

MD-PhD or DO-PhD Programs

Information on MD-PhD Programs from AAMC (opens in a new tab)

To find the various DO-PhD Programs, simple search the web with the keywords “Do PhD Program”

The Gateways to the Laboratory Program is highlighted by the NIH as one of the top ten summer programs for underrepresented and disadvantaged students interested in MD-PhD dual degrees.  Applications and more information for the Gateways to the Laboratory Summer Program for Pre-MD-PhD students may be found here (opens in a new tab).

Pre-Medical Information

The AAMC’s “Pre-med Navigator” (opens in a new tab) is a monthly e-newsletter that includes information, resources, tips, and important dates for pre-meds.
The AAMC’s expectations for medical school applicants are posted here: The Premed Competencies for Entering Medical Students
Average GPA and MCAT scores for MD School Matriculants (accepted students) (opens in a new tab)
The Cost of Applying (opens in a new tab)
Compare the Four SC Medical Schools (compiled Nov. 2018) (opens in a new tab)
Prerequisites for Medical School

Some medical schools now require another test, in addition to the MCAT, called a judgement test.  There are two popular options: CASPer and PREview.  You can learn more at these links: Information about Situational Judgement Exams (opens in a new tab) ; Which MD medical schools require judgement exams? (opens in a new tab); Explore Admissions Requirements for DO medical schools: search “CASPer” (opens in a new tab)

Medical School to become an MD physician (Allopathic Medicine)

Good news for Citadel Cadets: The MUSC College Of Medicine Admissions committee uses the Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges competitiveness rankings of undergraduate schools to adjust applicants’ undergraduate GPA. The Citadel is ranked as a ‘competitive school’ so graduates receive a GPA boost of .19. Graduates of The Citadel Honors College receive a GPA ‘boost’ of .34 to their overall GPA.

Medical School to become a DO physician (Osteopathic Medicine)

International Medical Schools

Generally we do not recommend students attend medical school abroad; however, there are a few International Medical Schools that qualify for Federal Student Aid and have fairly good records for students passing board exams and getting residency placements.  When it comes to these schools our advice is “buyer beware.” Do your homework before you apply.  A few of the better options are listed below.

Other Medical School Information

Medical School Application guidebook (MSAR) (opens in a new tab)
Mentorship Program for Pre-Med Minority Students and Women (opens in a new tab)
Medical University of South Carolina (opens in a new tab)
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (opens in a new tab); USUHS presentation (opens in a new tab); USUHS Programs and Degrees
University of South Carolina Medical School (opens in a new tab)
University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Greenville (opens in a new tab)

MCAT Preparation

Pre-Dental Information

MUSC, Student National Dental Association’s Impressions Program is held each summer. Participants will learn about Dental School and the application process; they also participate in dental labs. For more information call Jami Cokley at 843-792-6874 or visit the SNDA Facebook Page (opens in a new tab).

Veterinary Medicine

Physician Assistants

Nursing

The Citadel offers a 4-year BSN for cadets (opens in a new tab) and an evening 2+2 BSN Program for non-cadets. (opens in a new tab)

Paying for Nursing School

The NURSE Corps Scholarship Program (opens in a new tab) – a selective program of the U.S. Government that helps alleviate the critical shortage of nurses currently experienced by certain types of health care facilities located in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). Upon graduation, NURSE Corps Scholarship recipients work at these facilities for at least two years, earning the same competitive salary and benefits as any new hire.
ACTIVE NURSE CORPS PROGRAM (opens in a new tab)

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (opens in a new tab) look under the “Students” tab for helpful information
How to become a nurse (opens in a new tab) from Marcia Boynton, Adrian College, Michigan

Standardized Test to enter Nursing School: Here is info about the TEAS V test: http://www.testprepreview.com/teas_practice.htm (opens in a new tab) and http://www.atitesting.com/Solutions/pre-program/TEAS/study-guide.aspx (opens in a new tab)

How to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree after graduating from The Citadel (opens in a new tab): Accelerated baccalaureate programs offer the quickest route to licensure as a registered nurse (RN) for adults who have already completed a bachelor’s or graduate degree in a non-nursing discipline. Fast-track/accelerated baccalaureate programs take between 11 and 18 months to complete, including prerequisites.

Master’s Level Entry to become a nurse after graduating with a non-nursing degree from The Citadel

Optometry School

For information about Optometry School, you may visit the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO). (opens in a new tab)
Optometry Programs Admissions Directory
OptomCAS Recommendation Information
Review the admissions requirements for each school or college of optometry to which you are interested in applying to determine if you have fulfilled, or are in the process to fulfill, their prerequisite requirements (opens in a new tab)
Review the recommendation requirements for each school or college of optometry to which you are interested in applying
OptomCAS instructions

Pharmacy

Other Health-Related Professions