Program Overview

Pre-Med Programs

Bachelor's Degree + Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (4+4)

The 4+4 College of Osteopathic Medicine Early Acceptance Program is a collaborative effort between Westminster College and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM). This program allows up to five qualified Westminster students per academic year to be directly admitted to medical school to pursue a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree.

Program Overview

Students who complete their undergraduate bachelor of science degree in a biological or physical science (B.S. in Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or Neuroscience) within four years can be accepted into the program. The program enables students to earn their bachelor's degree from Westminster and their Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) in eight years.

Eligibility and Application

Students can apply to participate in the 4+4 Program either as high school seniors at the same time they are applying to Westminster or at any time before the completion of their second year at Westminster.

High School Seniors

• Apply to Westminster College
• Apply to LECOM's Early Acceptance Program
• Minimum 3.5 HS GPA and minimum 1250 Math + Verbal SAT or 28 ACT Composite
• Interview at LECOM

Westminster College Students

• Apply to LECOM by the end of the second year
• If applying during the first year, a minimum 1250 Math + Verbal SAT or 28 ACT Composite is required
• If enrolled at Westminster for 1 year, cumulative college GPA 3.4 or higher and cumulative science GPA 3.2 or higher
• Interview at LECOM

Admission Requirements for the D.O. Program at LECOM

To be admitted into the D.O. program at LECOM, students must satisfactorily complete the following criteria at Westminster:

• Maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.4 and 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 (or 4 semester credit hours of Organic Chemistry and 3 semester hours of Biochemistry)
  • 6 Semester Credit Hours of English
  • 6 Semester Credit Hours of Behavioral Science
  • 4 Semester Credit Hours Physics including a lab
• No pass/fail grading for pre-requisite courses
• Any AP credited pre-requisite courses must be replaced by appropriate courses
• IB and CLEP credits are 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
• With qualifying AIS (based on GPA and SAT/ACT), MCAT is not required
• 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 recommendations from Westminster's Medical Professions Advisory Committee (MedPAC) and submit to LECOM
• Receive a recommendation from an osteopathic physician and submit to LECOM
• Shadow an osteopathic physician is recommended
• Submit all required information and forms to LECOM
• Apply (via AACOM) by November 15th of the 3rd Year at WC submit LECOM 2ndary app by January 1
• Students in the WC-LECOM Affiliation cannot apply to other medical 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 of Anatomy with lab
• 4 Semester Credit Hours of Physiology
• 4 Semester Credit Hours of Microbiology with lab
• 4 Semester Credit Hours of Anatomy with lab
• 3 Semester Credit Hours of Biochemistry
• 3 Semester Credit Hours of Cell Biology
• 3 Semester Credit Hours of Histology
• 3 Semester Credit Hours of Genetics
• 3 Semester Credit Hours of Immunology

Timeline Summary for High School Seniors

1. Academic Year: High School Sr., Deadline: Varies, Task: Apply to undergraduate school, Responsibility of: Student
2. Academic Year: High School Sr., Deadline: December 15, Task: Apply to 4+4 program, Responsibility of: Student
3. Academic Year: High School Sr., Deadline: February 28, Task: Interview with LECOM, Responsibility of: LECOM
4. Academic Year: High School Sr., Deadline: March 15, Task: Notify of provisional acceptance, Responsibility of: LECOM
5. Academic Year: High School Sr., Deadline: July 1, Task: Notify of provisional acceptance, Responsibility of: Pre-Health Advisor
6. Academic Year: High School Sr., Deadline: July 1, Task: Notify LECOM student will matriculate at undergrad school, Responsibility of: Pre-Health Advisor
7. Academic Year: High School Sr., Deadline: September 1, Task: Send letter of provisional acceptance, Responsibility of: LECOM
8. Academic Year: College Senior, Task: Follow the Timeline Summary for Westminster Students starting at #6, Responsibility of: Student

Timeline Summary for Westminster Students

1. Academic Year: Sophomore, Deadline: February 1, Task: Apply to 4+4 program, Responsibility of: Student
2. Academic Year: Sophomore, Deadline: June 15, Task: Interview with LECOM, Responsibility of: LECOM
3. Academic Year: Sophomore, Deadline: July 1, Task: Notify of provisional acceptance, Responsibility of: LECOM
4. Academic Year: Sophomore, Deadline: July 1, Task: Notify of provisional acceptance, Responsibility of: Pre-Health Advisor
5. Academic Year: Sophomore, Deadline: September 1, Task: Send letter of provisional acceptance, Responsibility of: LECOM
6. Academic Year: Senior, Deadline: November 15, Task: Submit AACOMAS Application, Responsibility of: LECOM
7. Academic Year: Senior, Deadline: December 1, Task: Take MCAT, Responsibility of: Student
8. Academic Year: Senior, Deadline: January 1, Task: Submit LECOM supplemental app, Responsibility of: Student
9. Academic Year: Senior, Deadline: February 1, Task: Submit letters from D.O. & MedPAC, Responsibility of: D.O. & MedPAC
10. Academic Year: Senior, Deadline: February 15, Task: Send letter confirming acceptance to the Medical College, Responsibility of: LECOM
11. Academic Year: Semi-annually, Deadline: February & July, Task: Submit status report to LECOM, Responsibility of: MedPAC
12. Academic Year: Annually, Task: Attend affiliation on-campus day, Responsibility of: Student
13. Academic Year: Post graduation, Deadline: June 30, Task: All documents & fees have been submitted or paid, Responsibility of: Student