Premedical
The premedical program guides students interested in careers in medicine. From allopathic physicians (M.D.s) and osteopathic physics (D.O.s) to dentists, podiatrists, and optometrists, this program will guide you through the process of making your dreams a reality. Our program includes a premedical committee consisting of faculty dedicated to helping students with their planning and applications for schools granting degrees in medicine, dentistry, optometry, and podiatry. Students interested in those medical careers should consult the premedical committee chair early in their time at Washington. Those who have noted their interest in considering a career in medicine will become aware of expectations, requirements, procedures, and deadlines associated with the program. Several meetings for the premedical cohort are held throughout the academic year, and students are encouraged to meet one-on-one with committee members for individual advising.
Many students who plan to attend professional school are encouraged to take a year or more between college graduation and entrance to professional schools. Taking that “gap year” can be extremely beneficial, providing additional time for:
- Experiential learning opportunities
- Preparing for exams like the MCAT
- Making application more competitive
- Increased flexibility in the timing of courses
External Partnerships
Washington College maintains guaranteed admissions interview agreements with the medical and dental schools of Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) and with Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine, which focuses on training future physicians to serve in rural, underserved areas.
Washington College is also an affiliate school of LECOM's Early Acceptance Program for medical and dental schools. Students who are particularly driven to go to medical or dental school can apply to the early acceptance program, receiving a conditional acceptance to LECOM by the end of their junior year and be exempted from taking the MCAT for medical school. Students can apply for the program while in high school or with fewer than 65 undergraduate credit hours. Interviews with LECOM are required of all eligible applications. Successful applicants will be granted conditional acceptance to LECOM for matriculation in the fall following their graduation from Washington College. Students in LECOM's early acceptance program are required to major in a physical science at Washington.