Program Overview

Introduction to the Pre-Medicine Concentration

The Pre-Medicine Concentration at SUNY Plattsburgh is designed to prepare students for a career in medicine. The program helps students choose the right mix of courses and experiences that medical schools look for.

Academics

Students in the Pre-Medicine Concentration are required to take certain prerequisite classes for medical school application. For biology or biomedical sciences majors, these classes are part of their major. For non-majors, the required classes include:

• General Biology (BIO101 and 102, 8 credits including lab)
• General Chemistry (CHE111 and 112, 8 credits including lab)
• Organic Chemistry (CHE 241 and 242, 8 credits including lab)
• Physics (PHY103 and 104, 8 credits including lab)
• English (ENG101 and AWR, 6 credits) Some medical schools may also require calculus, biochemistry, or other classes.

The Honors Program

The Honors Program at SUNY Plattsburgh is an important way to show academic excellence. Students are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity if possible.

Extracurricular Activities

Medical schools expect students to show excellence in other areas of their life. Extracurricular activities that previous premed students have done include:

• Research
• Athletics
• Student Association
• Student Governance
• Leadership
• Pre-Med Club
• Internships, Volunteering & Shadowing

Applying to Medical School

Application to allopathic medical schools (M.D.) is through the AMCAS system. The application review process begins in May, and AMCAS requires:

• An official copy of transcripts
• Letters of recommendation (including one from the PHPAC)
• MCAT score
• A list of schools to send the application to Applications to osteopathic medical schools (D.O.) are similar but go through the AACOMAS system. Both types of schools use rolling admissions, which means they begin to review and accept students as soon as their application is complete.

Programs

SUNY Plattsburgh has articulation agreements with several medical programs that can shorten the time in school. One such program is with the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM).

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine

NYITCOM is committed to training osteopathic physicians for a lifetime of learning and practice. The college offers a technology-infused medical program at its main campus in Long Island and on the campus of Arkansas State University.

3+4 Program with NYITCOM

The 3+4 program allows students to spend 3 years at SUNY Plattsburgh and then matriculate into NYITCOM. After the first year of classes at NYITCOM, 20 credits will transfer back to complete the bachelor's degree at SUNY Plattsburgh. Students will then finish their degree with NYITCOM.

3+4 Admission Requirements

Admission to the Pathway at SUNY Plattsburgh requires:

• A combined SAT score of at least 1200 or ACT composite score of at least 28
• A high school grade point average of at least 90% Admission to NYITCOM requires:
• An overall science grade point average of 3.5 each semester with a 3.5 cumulative GPA
• An MCAT score at least equal to the mean MCAT score of the applicable NYITCOM campus first-year class
• Completion of a minimum of 8 hours of biology, 8 hours each of inorganic and organic chemistry, 8 hours of physics, and 6 hours of English, with no grade below C
• A favorable recommendation by the SUNY Plattsburgh Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee
• Passing a personal interview conducted by NYITCOM faculty