The Lindenwood University Pre-Professional Studies in the Health Sciences Program includes Pre-Medicine, Pre-Nursing, Pre-Veterinary Medicine, Pre-Dentistry, and Pre-Optometry programs. Each program is specifically designed to meet the course requirements and prepare the student to take the mandatory entrance exams for his/her particular program.

More than ever before, health professional schools are placing increasing value on personal characteristics, including intellectual curiosity and a sense of altruism, in the selection of successful applicants. Nevertheless, performance on the entrance exams, cumulative undergraduate GPA, Science and Math GPA, along with experience (work related or voluntary) in the desired field, are still important criteria in obtaining admission into the desired health profession.

Some factors which bear serious consideration by the student prior to his/her decision to enter any of the pre-professional studies programs are: personal motivation, realistic assessment of the demands of clinical training and practice, including 7-11 years of training after the undergraduate years, and working with the ill and infirm. Students should also realize that admission into a health professions school is highly competitive.

With regard to undergraduate curriculum, specific course requirements may vary among medical/veterinary/dental/optometry schools, but all schools realize the value of a broad based education, with demonstrated ability in the sciences, well-developed verbal and written communication skills, and a background in the humanities and social sciences.

As soon as the student decides to enroll as a pre-professional health science student (which is suggested to be no later than the end of the freshman year), an advisor for these studies should be contacted and the prescribed course work begun immediately. Both the Biology and the Chemistry departments have pre-health advisors to help the student.

To perform above the national norms, students should finish certain courses before appearing for the entrance exam in their chosen profession. Students should also check the coursework-related information on specific schools. A list of specific schools and their requirements can be found in the Admissions Requirements books or the websites of the professional associations. Students should consult a Lindenwood pre-health advisor regarding these.

For more information, please contact:

Marilyn Abbott Dean & Professor of Sciences 214 Young Hall 636-949-4912 mabbott