Pre-Medicine Path

Established in 1955, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) is committed to training osteopathic physicians for a lifetime of learning and practice through the integration of evidence-based knowledge, critical thinking and the tenets of osteopathic principles and practice. Their faculty, staff, students and alumni have helped transform the field of medicine for more than 50 years. NYITCOM’s collective impact is felt every day through the care we offer patients, the leadership they provide at the local and national level, and the applications-oriented research they share with the world. Their technology-infused medical program is offered at their main campus in Long Island (Old Westbury, N.Y.) and on the campus of Arkansas State University at Jonesboro, where they train much-needed physicians to practice in the underserved Mississippi Delta region.

This program with NYITCOM is a 3+4 program. You will spend 3 years at SUNY Plattsburgh and then matriculate into the medical school. After your first year of classes at NYITCOM, 20 credits will transfer back to complete your bachelor’s degree at SUNY Plattsburgh. You will then finish your degree with NYITCOM.

Admission to the Pathway at SUNY Plattsburgh

• 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

• Earn an overall science grade point average of 3.5 each semester with a 3.5 cumulative GPA (SUNY Plattsburgh may approve a one-time waiver for a semester GPA less than 3.5.)
• Obtain an MCAT score (on the MCAT taken between August and January of the third undergraduate year) at least equal to the mean MCAT score of the applicable NYITCOM campus first year class of the year the student began undergraduate study. NYITCOM will notify SUNY Plattsburgh of the minimum required MCAT scores for each campus in August of each year.
  • If the student fails to meet the required MCAT score between August and January, the student may retake the exam up until April with a possibility of being on the priority waitlist if they achieve the minimum score.
• Complete a minimum of 8 hours of biology (course/lab), 8 hours each of inorganic and organic chemistry (course/lab), 8 hours of physics (course/lab), and 6 hours of English, with no grade below C in any of these courses or labs. Students are encouraged to enroll in additional courses such as calculus, anatomy, genetics, physical chemistry, biochemistry, behavioral sciences and neurosciences.
• Obtain a favorable recommendation by the SUNY Plattsburgh Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee.
• Pass a personal interview conducted by NYITCOM faculty.

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) is the nation’s largest medical college and is the only Academic Health Center in the osteopathic profession.

Physicians and administrators at the Millcreek Community Hospital saw the growing demand for more physicians and opened LECOM in 1992. With the college and the hospital as the core of a highly innovative medical education system based in Erie, Pa., LECOM has strived to add to the quality of life of our neighbors by bringing total health care to the community. The college brought a new concept in medical fitness and wellness to Erie, built a network of physician offices and has started construction on a senior living center that is introducing a new model of health care for older adults.

LECOM offers innovative and affordable education in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy and dental medicine. From campuses in Erie and Greensburg, Pa. and Bradenton, Fla., LECOM provides student-centered pathways to prepare the next generation of health care professionals.

Learn more about the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

There are two Doctor of Osteopathy tracks with LECOM. One track is a 3+4 Track. The successful applicant will spend 3 years at SUNY Plattsburgh and then matriculate into LECOM. After the applicant’s successful first year of classes at LECOM, 20 credits will transfer back to complete their bachelor’s degree at SUNY Plattsburgh. The applicant will then finish the medical degree at LECOM. The “3+4” track is typically utilized by the highly motivated student who wishes to enter medical school before receiving an undergraduate degree.

The second program is a traditional 4+4 Track, with guaranteed admission to LECOM after completion of a bachelor’s degree at SUNY Plattsburgh if academic and professional standards are maintained.

Application to enroll in these programs may occur prior to matriculation at SUNY Plattsburgh; i.e., as a high school senior, or after matriculation at SUNY Plattsburgh. A student interested in the “3+4” track should apply to enroll in the program as part of their application to SUNY Plattsburgh but must be enrolled in the program prior to starting their second year at the SUNY Plattsburgh.

Application to LECOM for these programs is initiated by an inquiry through a link on the LECOM portal.

An applicant must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident; and they may not have already earned a four-year undergraduate degree.

Fulfillment of these criteria will be awarded a letter of provisional acceptance. An applicant is considered to be officially enrolled in the EAP as of the date shown on the provisional letter of acceptance.

Applicants rejected prior to matriculating at SUNY Plattsburgh may reapply for the EAP after completing at least 30 credit hours of undergraduate coursework. At that time, if their cumulative overall GPA is at least 3.4 and their cumulative science GPA is at least 3.2, their application will be reevaluated. Once more than 65 credit hours of undergraduate credits are earned, they are no longer eligible for the EAP and must apply as a traditional applicant.

SAT and/or ACT and GPA Requirements

An official SAT and/or ACT score is required to participate in the EAP.

3+ Track

• SAT Composite Score ≥ 1340; or
• ACT Composite Score ≥ 28; and
• High School Un-Weighted GPA ≥ 3.7

4+ Track

• SAT Composite Score ≥ 1240; or
• ACT Composite Score ≥ 26; and
• High School Un-Weighted GPA ≥ 3.5;

The SAT and/or ACT score must be from a single exam; i.e., we do not super score. LECOM will not accept SAT or ACT scores earned after a high school diploma has been received. The following formula is used to convert a percentage grade to a GPA: 𝑮𝑷𝑨 = ((% 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆)/𝟐𝟎) – 𝟏

Interviews

• Except for the affiliated institution’s standard admissions interviews, all interviews will be conducted by LECOM and must be in-person, either on a LECOM campus or at an off-campus location designated by LECOM. Videoconferencing and phone interviews are not acceptable.

For more details, please contact Dr. Slish, [email protected]

Learn More about St. George’s University

Our program with St. George’s is a 3+4 program. You will spend 3 years at SUNY Plattsburgh and then matriculate into the medical school. After your first year of classes at St. George’s, 20 credits will transfer back to complete your bachelor’s degree at SUNY Plattsburgh. You will then finish your degree with St. George’s University.

SGU will consider for conditional acceptance into the first year of instruction all students who have successfully completed the SUNY Plattsburgh portion of B.A. of biology degree (approximately 103 credits) provided the following conditions have been met:

1. The satisfactory completion of the SUNY Plattsburgh portion of B.A. of biology curriculum with a minimum GPA of 3.40.
2. The applicant must achieve a competitive score on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). A competitive score is defined as a score within 3 points of the prior terms average MCAT score for matriculated students at SGU.
3. In order to be eligible for entry into the SGU School of Veterinary Medicine, students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.4, while enrolled at SUNY Plattsburgh, and obtain a competitive Graduate Record Examination (GRE). A competitive score is above 290.
4. In addition to the above-referenced minimum GPA, MCAT and GRE requirements, in order to be promoted to SGU, qualified SUNY Plattsburgh students must meet all admission criteria of SGU School of Medicine or SGU School of Veterinary Medicine, and the SUNY Plattsburgh Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee will provide a letter of recommendation for the student.
5. SGU School of Medicine and SGU School of Veterinary Medicine will select suitable candidates that meet their respective standards and establish dates for promotion interviews. An offer of admission to SGU School of Medicine or SGU School of Veterinary Medicine, pursuant to this program, will only be made to qualified students, who satisfy all respective admissions requirements, after a promotion interview is conducted by SGU. Interviews will be conducted by SGU at SUNY Plattsburgh and/or via the Internet.

The Bachelor of Arts/Science in Biology will be conferred by SUNY Plattsburgh to students enrolled under this agreement after successful completion of the first year study at SGU.

Should a candidate enrolled in the pre-professional program at SUNY Plattsburgh not be accepted to complete his or her final undergraduate requirements at SGU, SUNY Plattsburgh will provide a seamless alternative for that student to satisfy all of the remaining requirements for the undergraduate degree.

The same provision will be made for students who are conditionally accepted to continue their studies at SGU but fail to satisfactorily complete their first year of study.

AUA is a small Caribbean medical school on the island of Antigua. They graduate approximately 250 students from their M.D. program each year. Their program of study involves 18 months of study on the Island of Antigua followed by two years of rotation in U.S. hospitals. AUA works hard to prepare its students for the USMLE exams, which results in an excellent first time pass rate. AUA has a relationship with Manipal University, which ranks as India’s top universities.

We have two program arrangements with AUA — a 3+4 program and a standard program.

In the 3+4 program, you will spend 3 years at SUNY Plattsburgh and then matriculate into the medical school. After your first year of classes at AUA, 20 credits will transfer back to complete your bachelor’s degree at SUNY Plattsburgh. You will then finish your medical degree with AUA.

In the standard program, you will be guaranteed admission after completing an approved degree provided you maintain a 3.25 GPA, good recommendations are provided, and give a successful interview.

AUA will consider for conditional acceptance into the first year of instruction all students who have successfully completed the pre-professional phase of the program at SUNY Plattsburgh provided the following conditions have been met:

1. The satisfactory completion of the entire pre-professional curriculum with a minimum GPA of 3.25 (on a 4.0 system) with a minimum science GPA of 3.25 (also on a 4.0 system). All science courses in the pre-professional curriculum must have been completed within the past 5 years of application to the program.
2. The MCAT must be taken for admission, however, in accordance with the holistic, overall approach to evaluating students, AUA will not use MCAT scores as a condition for acceptance into the University. Scores are required to matriculate. Only accepted students who are U.S. citizens, nationals or eligible permanent residents will be required to submit copies of their scores — listing all attempts. Canadian students and international students do not have to fulfill this requirement.
3. A personal interview by the AUA Admissions Committee, a positive recommendation to accept the candidate, and ultimate approval of that recommendation by the Dean of AUA.

In addition to completing one of the approved programs (B.S. Biology, B.S. Biochemistry, or B.S. Chemistry), a student also must meet the following minimum requirements in order to be admitted to AUA pursuant to this agreement:

1. An overall Grade Point Average of 3.25 or higher;
2. A Grade Point Average of 3.25 or higher in pre-requisite courses required by AUA;
3. No more than one “E” or “D” grade in any pre-requisite course required by AUA. If candidate receives an “E” or “D” in a given pre-requisite class, he/she will have one opportunity to repeat the course and must earn a minimum passing grade of “C.”
4. The MCAT will be mandatory for admission. In accordance with our holistic, overall approach to evaluating students, AUA will not use MCAT scores as a condition for acceptance into the University, but scores are required to matriculate. Only accepted students who are U.S. citizens, nationals or eligible permanent residents will be required to submit copies of their scores — listing all attempts. Canadian students and International students do not have to fulfill this requirement.
5. A recommendation for admission by an AUA Admission Officer who has interviewed the applicant.

• Sports medicine
• Dermatology
• Diabetic wound care
• Surgery
• Podo-pediatrics
• Geriatrics
• Orthopedics

In order to enter medical school in your fourth year, you will need to complete all of your major, cognate and General Education requirements before leaving SUNY Plattsburgh. This requires you to take between 16 and 18 credits per semester. This load can be lightened by taking some classes in the summer and winter sessions.

These programs are designed to allow students to receive a B.A. in biology after 3 years at SUNY Plattsburgh and one year at the post graduate institution. If successful in your first year, 20 credits from that year will transfer back to SUNY Plattsburgh to complete your degree.

Each degree program has slightly different prerequisite courses that it requires. You should use the guide below to ensure that you will have all the necessary courses when you leave SUNY Plattsburgh. The guide includes major courses, cognates, and general education courses.

B.A. in Biology Graduation Plan