Pre-Health

Pre-Health at The Citadel

The following links will provide you with information concerning these various health professions and what you will need to get in. 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.

The Pre-Health Advisors

Dr. Kathy Zanin
Dr. Kathy Zanin
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 pre-requisites, becoming an MD physician, becoming a DO physician, veterinary, dental, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, public health , podiatry, or other health-related professional schools.

Learn Which Profession is Right for You

Prepare for Interviews

Practice your Interview via the Career Center:

Look under Online Resources for “Interview Stream”.

Learn about the interview questions used by various schools. Choose a school, under “Interview Feedback” choose “View Survey Results” then scroll down to the bottom of the survey data and choose “Questions”.

Writing a Personal Statement

Letters of Recommendation

Pre-Dental?

Pre-Med?

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.

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

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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.

Scholarship Opportunities

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, be sure to emphasize your military experience here at The Citadel, and wear your uniform when you interview there.

Science and Math Pre-Requisites to Take Before Applying

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; check with each school to get its exact list of prerequisites.

Pre-Requisites for the Four SC Medical Schools

  • MUSC – “Although no prerequisite courses are required, most successful applicants to this medical school complete two semesters of the following courses prior to matriculating: general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and physics. Other courses that have been shown to be of value are: anatomy, cell biology, embryology, genetics and physiology.”
  • USC SOM (Columbia)  
  • USC SOM-Greenville
  • VCOM-Carolinas (This is a DO school in Spartanburg)

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. Also, if you want to be enlisted in the military, this is a good option: Enlisted to Medical Degree Preparatory Program (EMDP2)

For Reapplicants: 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.

New Scholarship for Citadel Pre-Health Students

The Graboyes Family Scholarship provides scholarship awards ($4,000/year) to support a student or students believed to possess those attributes of ability, character, temperament, and personality that are in accord with the traditionally high standards of The Citadel. First preference is for a student or students who intend to pursue a career in medicine and who have demonstrated financial need. In the event that a recipient decides to pursue a different career, the scholarship may be continued until his or her graduation. This last consideration is to permit flexibility in career choice and to mitigate a recipient feeling compelled to pursue a career in medicine simply to continue receiving the scholarship. Contact The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships to apply.

Accelerated Entry to MUSC (3+4) Program

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.  

The following web sites will provide you with information concerning these various health professions and what you will need to get in. 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.

Reading for Enrichment

Programs for Disadvantaged Students

For Native Americans

MD-PhD or DO-PhD Programs

Information on MD-PhD Programs from AAMC

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.

Pre-Medical Information

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

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.

Veterinary Medicine

Physicians Assistants

Nursing

The Citadel now offers a 4-year BSN for cadets and an evening 2+2 BSN Program for non-cadets.

Paying for Nursing School

The NURSE Corps Scholarship Program – 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

How to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree after graduating from The Citadel

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

For information about Optometry School, you may visit the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO).

Pharmacy

Podiatry

Audiology

Public Health

Genetic Counseling

How to become a Genetic Counselor

Chiropractics

Be sure to apply to CCE accredited programs – The Council on Chiropractic Education
Chiropractic Occupational Outlook

Naturopathic Health Care

A licensed naturopathic doctor (ND) attends a four-year, graduate-level naturopathic medical school and is educated in all of the same basic sciences as an MD, but also studies holistic and nontoxic approaches to therapy with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness. In addition to a standard medical curriculum, the naturopathic physician also studies clinical nutrition, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, psychology, and counseling. A naturopathic physician takes rigorous professional board exams so that he or she may be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a primary care general practice physician.

Additional information on naturopathic schools can be found on the American Association of Naturopathic Medical Colleges Web site.