COSAM News Articles 2020 December COSAM’s proven path helps 77 biomedical sciences students gain acceptance into health professions programs

COSAM’s proven path helps 77 biomedical sciences students gain acceptance into health professions programs

Published: 12/08/2020

By: Maria Gebhardt

“A total of 77 students who majored in biomedical sciences and participated in COSAM’s PPAC program were accepted into professional schools during the 2020 application cycle,” explained Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Robert Boyd in the College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM). “Of these 77 students, 73 entered leading medical or dental schools and 4 enrolled in optometry school programs.”

62 students majoring in biomedical sciences were accepted to medical schools, yielding a 76 percent acceptance rate;

11 students majoring in biomedical sciences with a pre-dental concentration were accepted into dental schools, resulting in a 69 percent acceptance rate; and

4 students majoring in biomedical sciences pre-optometry were accepted, which is a 100 percent acceptance rate.

COSAM’s proven path has helped thousands of students prepare for a variety of professional school programs over the years. First-year students take a pre-health orientation course to learn about admission requirements and how to become competitive applicants. They receive individual assistance from trained pre-health academic advisors and peer advisors. Students build a solid foundation for success in professional schools by taking rigorous classes, participating in community service activities, and listening to health professions speakers at pre-health student organizations like Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED), the Pre-Pharmacy Club, the Pre-Physician Assistant Club (Pre-PA), and the Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy Club (PTOTC).

The Pre-Professional Advisory Committee (PPAC) is a key to helping students get accepted into medical, dental, and optometry schools. For more than two decades, Beverley Childress, Director of Health Professions Programs, has helped students through this intensive program.

She has spent countless hours reviewing personal statements, resumes, professional school applications, and evaluation letters, as well as interviewing each applicant.

“Students who both major in biomedical sciences and participate in the PPAC program are going to have more success in being accepted into professional schools and pursuing their dreams to become health professionals. But 8 other COSAM majors using the program, such as majors in chemistry/biochemistry and biological sciences, also had success in gaining admittance this year,” Boyd added.