Preparing for Careers in the Health Professions: Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Dentistry, Podiatry and Optometry
SUNY Old Westbury provides excellent instruction in all of the science and non-science courses that are either required or strongly recommended as entrance criteria for colleges of medicine, dentistry, osteopathy, podiatry, and optometry. The specific minimum criteria for each of these professions are listed on the page below. While most students choose to major in a science area of discipline, this is by no means a requirement for a career in the health field. Students can major in any subject as long as the minimum academic criteria for admission are achieved. The pre-health careers program at Old Westbury has been in existence since the early years of the institution. Since that time, the program has had remarkable success in preparing students for studies in the major health sciences. Particularly notable has been Old Westbury's success in preparing a significant number of minority students and women for such studies.
Health Professions Advisory Committee
Advisement for students interested in the health professions is offered by the campus' Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC). Current members of the committee are:
- Salvatore J. Mulé, M.S., Office of Pre-Health Professions, New Academic Bldg., 1037, (516) 876-3446. hpac@oldwestbury.edu
- Dr. Youngjoo Kim, Chemistry & Physics Dept., Natural Sciences Bldg., S-235, (516) 876-2744. hpac@oldwestbury.edu
- Dr. Lisa Chin, Public Health Dept., Natural Sciences Building, S-256, (516) 876-5032. hpac@oldwestbury.edu
The following links lead to information about the HPAC and some general advice for Old Westbury students preparing for careers in the health professions:
- Health Professions Advisory Committee Procedures and Guidelines
- Pre-Health Professions Curriculum Outline
- Year by Year Advice to Students
- Health Professions Advisory Committee Registration Form
- Health Professions Advisory Committee Evaluation Form
Medicine
Learn more about the Association of American Medical Colleges website for general information about medical careers and applying to medical school.
More specific information can be found in the following publications and websites:
- Learn more about the Official Guide to Medical School Admissions: A comprehensive source of information on preparing for and applying to medical school.
- Learn more about the Medical School Admissions Requirements: Provides specific information on individual medical schools. A subscription is necessary for on-line access.
- Learn more about Information helpful for minority students.
Osteopathic Medicine
Learn more about the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) website for general information about osteopathic medical careers and applying to osteopathic medical school.
Learn more about the list of U.S. colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dentistry
Learn more about the American Dental Education Association website for general information about dental careers and applying to dental school.
More specific information can be found in the following publications and websites:
- Learn more from the ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools (Annual): Information about dentistry and the dental admission process.
- Learn more from the Commission on Dental Accreditation: A listing of accredited US dental programs.
Podiatric Medicine
Learn more from the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine website for general information about Podiatric medical careers and applying to colleges of Podiatric medicine.
Optometry
Learn more about the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) website for more information about careers.
Post-baccalaureate Pre-Health Professions Studies
Students who have already earned an undergraduate degree in any field from any college or university may enroll as post-baccalaureate students to prepare for admission into health professional schools. SUNY Old Westbury has the full complement of courses necessary to prepare students to apply to medical school. Typically post-baccalaureate students register as non-matriculated or non-degree students (full-time or part time) and take the necessary courses. The Health Professions Advisory Committee can assist with advice and information as appropriate. If post-baccalaureate students meet the criteria (see Health Professions Advisory Committee Procedures and Guidelines on this website), the committee can write a support letter, if desired. Click the link here for Non-Degree Admissions for instructions on applying. Learn more about the entire course catalog.
General Requirements For Admission To Health Professional Schools
Listed below are minimum requirements for admission to professional schools in the health area. Students should realize, however, that it is wise to plan to take more science courses than would meet minimum standards. A broad range of courses in the humanities, social sciences, and behavioral sciences is also strongly recommended. To be considered a good candidate for admission on the basis of minimum requirements requires exceptionally good performance. The large majority of candidates with whom you will be competing have gone well beyond minimum requirements. You should plan to do the same.
Medical Schools
Minimum requirements (may vary for program):
- Biology 1 year
- Chemistry 2 years (through organic chemistry)
- Biochemistry 1 semester is strongly recommended (some schools require it)
- Physics 1 year
- Mathematics through calculus
- Statistics is strongly recommended
- English 1 year
- Psychology 1 semester is strongly recommended
- Sociology 1 semester is strongly recommended
Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
Minimum requirements (may vary for program):
- Biology 1 year
- Chemistry 2 years (through organic chemistry)
- Biochemistry 1 semester is strongly recommended
- Physics 1 year
- Mathematics through calculus
- Statistics is strongly recommended
- English 1 year
- Psychology 1 semester is strongly recommended
- Sociology 1 semester is strongly recommended
Colleges of Dentistry
Minimum requirements (may vary for program):
- English 1 year
- Inorganic Chemistry 1 year
- Organic Chemistry 1 year
- Biology 1 year
- Physics 1 year
In addition to the above, some dental schools require other courses, such as:
- Biochemistry 1 semester
- Mathematics 1 year
- Psychology 1 semester
- Social Sciences and/or
- Humanities several semesters
- Quantitative Chemistry 1 semester
Colleges of Optometry
Minimum requirements (may vary for program):
- Biology 1 year
- Chemistry 1 or 2 years
- Physics 1 year
- Mathematics most require at least one semester of calculus
- English 1 year
Colleges of Podiatry
Minimum requirements (may vary for program):
- Biology 1 year
- Chemistry 2 years (though organic chemistry)
- Physics 1 year
- Mathematics not specified
- English 1 year
Admission Tests
- Learn more about the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT): This test is required for all US colleges of medicine, osteopathy and podiatry. Generally, students preparing for medical school should plan to take the MCAT in the spring of the junior year or early summer thereafter.
- Learn more about the Dental Admission Test (DAT): Required by all US schools of dentistry. The DAT is offered throughout the year. Generally applicants should be prepared to take the DAT one year prior to the intended admission date. However, applicants are advised to consult the specific dental schools regarding their policies on testing dates.
- Learn more about the Optometry Admission Test (OAT): Required by all US colleges of optometry.
Application Services
The Association of American Medical Colleges, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine and the American Association of Dental Schools provide application services that considerably reduce the amount of time applicants must spend filling out applications. A single application is submitted to the service which then distributes copies to schools designated by the student. Please click on any of the four (4) links below for more information.
- American Medical College Application Services (AMCAS)
- American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS)
- American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS)
- American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine Application Service (AACPMAS)
Professional Schools That Have Enrolled Old Westbury Students
- Harvard University (medical)
- Vanderbilt University (medical)
- Case Western Reserve (medical and dental)
- Morehouse School of Medicine
- Jefferson Medical College (medical)
- Marquette University (medical)
- SUNY/Stony Brook (Medical)
- SUNY/Buffalo (dental)
- SUNY/Upstate Medical Center (medical)
- Boston University (medical and dental)
- Howard University (medical and dental)
- Meharry Medical College (medical)
- Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (medical)
- Bowman-Gray (Wake Forest University) School of Medicine (Medical)
- Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine
- Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine
- University of Pittsburgh (medical)
- Sackler School of Medicine (medical)
- New York University (dental)
- New York Medical College (medical)
- Tufts University (medical)
- Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
- New York College of Podiatric Medicine
- NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine