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Pre-Dental Program

The Pre-Dental Program is a 4+4 program that allows students to earn a Bachelor's degree and a Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) in eight years. This program is a collaboration between Westminster College and the LECOM School of Dental Medicine.

Program Overview

Up to five Westminster students per academic year can be accepted into the 4+4 LECOM Dental School Affiliate Program. To be eligible, students must complete their undergraduate bachelor of science degree in a biological or physical science (B.S. in Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or Neuroscience with a minor in Biology) within four years.

Qualifications and Application

To apply, high school seniors or Westminster students with less than 56 credits earned must meet the following requirements:

• Minimum 3.5 HS GPA and minimum 1170 Math + Verbal SAT or 26 ACT Composite
• Interview at LECOM
• Apply to Westminster College and LECOM's Early Acceptance Program

Admission Requirements for the D.M.D. Program at LECOM

Students must satisfactorily complete the following criteria at Westminster prior to enrollment at LECOM's School of Dental Medicine:

• Maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.4 and a science GPA of 3.2
• Earn a minimum of a grade of C in the pre-requisite courses:
  • 8 Semester Credit Hours Biology including two labs
  • 8 Semester Credit Hours Inorganic/General Chemistry including two labs
  • 8 Semester Credit Hours Organic Chemistry including two labs
  • 6 Semester Credit Hours of English; composition emphasizing technical language
  • 3 Semester Credit Hours Biochemistry
• No pass/fail grading for pre-requisite courses
• Any AP credited pre-requisite courses must be replaced by appropriate courses
• IB and CLEP credits not acceptable for pre-requisite courses
• No retaking of pre-requisite courses
• Summer pre-requisite courses are prohibited unless for scheduling conflicts
  ecessities
• Up to 2 pre-requisite courses can transfer in; must be replaced by appropriate courses
• Take DAT by fall of 3rd year at WC Earn a minimum 16 on the DAT
• Meet with Westminster's Health Professions Advisor each semester to review status
• Visit with LECOM representative each year
• Attend LECOM On-Campus Affiliate Day
• Successfully complete Westminster College degree requirements
• Receive Westminster's Medical Professions Advisory Committee (MedPAC) recommendation to LECOM
• 100 hours job shadowing in a clinical dental setting is recommended
• Submit all required information and forms to LECOM
• Apply (via AADAS) by Nov. 15th of 3rd Year at WC; Submit LECOM 2ndary app by Jan 1
• Students in the WC-LECOM Affiliation cannot apply to other dental schools
• Full-time students, US citizens or lawful residents qualify for the Affiliation program
• Affiliates cannot already hold a 4-year undergrad degree
• Students transferring to WC may qualify based on MedPAC and LECOM review
• Background check through LECOM initiate by January of LECOM matriculation year
• Meet and uphold WC and LECOM character and professionalism standards

Recommended Courses

In addition to the pre-requisite courses, LECOM strongly recommends students take the following courses at Westminster prior to enrollment at LECOM:

• 4 Semester Credit Hours Physiology
• 4 Semester Credit Hours Physics with lab
• 4 Semester Credit Hours of Anatomy with lab
• 4 Semester Credit Hours of Microbiology with lab
• 3 Semester Credit Hours of Cell Biology
• 3 Semester Credit Hours of Histology
• 3 Semester Credit Hours of Immunology
• 3 Semester Credit Hours of Genetics

Timeline Summary for High School Seniors

1. Apply to EAP by June 1 following H.S. graduation
2. Interview with LECOM by July 1 following H.S. graduation
3. Notification of provisional acceptance eligibility by August 1 following H.S. graduation
4. Notify LECOM student will matriculate at undergrad school by August 1 following H.S. graduation
5. Send letter of provisional acceptance by September 1 following H.S. graduation
6. Follow schedule for existing students starting at #6

Timeline Summary for Westminster Students

1. Apply to EAP by June 1 of second year
2. Interview with LECOM by July 1 of second year
3. Notification of provisional acceptance eligibility prior to start of third year
4. Notification to LECOM of provisional acceptance eligibility prior to start of third year
5. Send letter of provisional acceptance prior to start of third year
6. Submit AADSAS Application to Campus Choice by November 15 of senior year
7. Take DAT by December 1 of senior year
8. Submit LECOM supplemental by January 1 of senior year
9. Complete AADSAS Academic Update by February 1 of senior year
10. Submit letters of recommendation to LECOM by March 1 of senior year
11. Send Dean's contingency letter of acceptance by March 15 of senior year
12. Pay Deposit by date on Dean's letter
13. Send LECOM Matriculation package after deposit is received
14. Final transcripts and required documents submitted by July 1 of year of LECOM matriculation
15. Submit annual status form to LECOM
16. Attend affiliation on-campus day