Description
Dentists do more than just the familiar jobs of cleaning teeth and filling
cavities. They also perform preventive medical procedures, surgical repair
operations, and conduct patient education. Some dentists specialize in areas
such as: orthodontics, oral pathology, pediatric dentistry, etc. Each specialty
focuses on a different aspect of oral health maintenance.
Opportunities
The majority of dentists begin general practice after graduation. However
there are a wide variety of employment opportunities outside of private
practice. For example, dentists can have careers in dental education, forensic
dentistry, research, and the dental product industry.
Requirements
According to the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) Handbook,
the length of all dentistry programs is four years. To become a part of
one of the 54 programs in the US, you will need to have a strong academic
background in science. The basic core requirements are as follows:
Biological Principles |
1 yr. |
|---|---|
Physics |
1 yr. |
General Chemistry |
1 yr. |
Organic Chemistry |
1 sem. |
English |
1 yr. |
Many schools have some additional specific requirements. Indiana University,
for example, has these additional requirements: biochemistry, anatomy and
physiology, English composition, psychology, and speech. You should review
the ASDA Handbook or Admission Requirements of United States and Canadian
Dental Schools (both in the science
secretary's office ) to obtain information about the specific requirements
of a particular program. It is advisable that you do this during your first
year. Undergraduate grade point averages (GPAs) of previous classes
in various dental programs has ranged from 2.9 to 3.4. However most of the
schools report 3.2 to 3.3 as their usual average. Therefore, to be a competitive
dental applicant, you should try to maintain a GPA of at least 3.3. All
of the schools also require prospective students to submit scores from the
Dental
Admissions Test (DAT).
Application Procedure
Most applications to dental programs can be initiated through the American
Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). This service
provides an application that is acceptable to any participating school.
For any school that does not participate in this service, you will need
to apply directly to its admissions office. Additional information, such
as letters of reference, may be asked for once your application has undergone
and initial evaluation. Contact any school you are interested in to learn
about its specific application procedure. Admissions committees evaluating
applications usually consider previous academic curriculum, undergraduate
GPA, and DAT scores. Applicants satisfying the requirements in those areas
will be invited to participate in an interview with program faculty. This
interview is usually the final step in the application process and an admissions
decision will likely follow quickly.
Suggested Plan of Study
| Year | Fall Semester | Spring Semester | May Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biological Principles | Biological Principles | |
| General Chemistry | General Chemistry | ||
| 2 | Organic Chemistry | Organic Chemistry | SST |
| 3 | General Physics | General Physics | |
| 4 | Senior Seminar | ||
| Advanced Science | Advanced Science | ||
The plan of study outlined above is only one possible timetable for fitting
in the principal science courses required for most dental schools. It is
not necessary to take these courses in the given order. You will obviously
also take several other general education courses each year as well as upper
level courses within your major.
Back to Contents
Description
There are two types of physicians in the United States today, allopathic
and osteopathic. Medical Doctors (MD's) are much more numerous
than Doctors of Osteopathy (DO's), but the DO alternative has had increasing
popularity in recent years. The overall responsibility of both types of
physicians is similar. Each serves people by diagnosing disease, prescribing
treatment, and supervising the care of unhealthy individuals. In recent
years, patient education and preventive medicine have become increasingly
important. The most notable difference between the two is that all osteopathic
students receive training in physical manipulation.
Osteopathic schools have generally emphasized primary care more than allopathic
schools with the result that osteopaths do not pursue specialties as often
as MD's. However it appears that in the future allopathic physicians will
not specialize as often as they have in the past. Currently, there is an
oversupply of most types of specialists.
Opportunities
The opportunities for MDs and DOs are diverse. Beside the variety of
areas in which a physician may specialize, there are also numerous job possibilities.
Most physicians provide direct patient care in private practices, group
practices, clinics, or hospitals. However physicians may also work at universities
either teaching or doing research. In industrial settings, they may conduct
medical research and help with the invention and testing of medical products.
Employment opportunities also exist in government organizations (e.g., The
Centers for Disease Control or as public health officers).
Requirements
The academic prerequisites for osteopathic and allopathic programs are
uniform with the exception of a few schools which have additional specific
course requirements. Although most pre-medical students at Goshen choose
to major in biology, chemistry, or natural science, this is not a requirement.
However, a very strong academic background in the sciences is essential.
To meet the core requirements for most medical schools, you should
have at least one year of each of the following:
You should review the Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR)
book (in the science
secretary's office) or contact schools directly to learn about
specific requirements. In addition to the listed classes, there are many
more courses that are strongly recommended. While most of these courses
are advanced science courses, classes in other areas like psychology, mathematics,
expository writing, and bioethics should also be taken.
The competition to get into allopathic medical schools is fierce. To be
a strong applicant you should maintain a grade point average (GPA) of at
least 3.5. However the average GPA of the 1995 entering class at Indiana
University was 3.68. While the competition to enter osteopathic schools
is not as strong, you should still maintain a GPA of at least 3.0. The national
average GPA of students accepted at osteopathic schools in 1994 was 3.2.
Nearly all medical schools require prospective students to take the Medical
College Admissions Test (MCAT). Depending on circumstances, this should
be taken in April of your junior year, or in some cases the following August.
Application Procedure
Almost all medical and osteopathic schools participate in the American
Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) or the American Association
of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS). These
services provide uniform application processes to allopathic and osteopathic
medical schools. It also allows students to apply to a number of schools
without filling out numerous applications and paying several application
fees. As you choose medical schools to apply to, remember that at public
schools state residents have a much better chance of being accepted than
do non-residents. Tuition is also much lower for residents. Application
deadlines are usually during November or December of the year before matriculation.
However, it is strongly recommended that you submit your AMCAS or AACOMAS
application in July or August. Once a school receives your application
a committee will evaluate it according to academic background, GPA, MCAT
scores, residency, and your application essay. If you "pass" the
committee's initial review, you will be asked for letters of recommendation,
to fill out a secondary application and to participate in an interview.
A final admission decision will be made sometime following this interview.
Suggested Plan of Study
| Year | Fall Semester | Spring Semester | May Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biological Principles | Biological Principles | |
| General Chemistry | General Chemistry | ||
| 2 | Organic Chemistry | Organic Chemistry | SST |
| Calculus I | Calculus II | ||
| 3 | General Physics | General Physics | |
| Dev. Vert. Biology | Genetics | ||
| 4 | Microbial Bio. &/or Biochem. | Bioethics &/or Molecular Cell Bio. | |
| Senior Seminar | |||
The schedule shown above is most appropriate for students interested
in attending allopathic schools. However it is only one of a variety
of possibilities. Throughout the years you will be taking general education
and elective courses as well. These classes will satisfy the prerequisites
in other areas, such as English. It is also a recommended that you take
other advanced science courses, such as Molecular Cell Biology or Biochemistry,
if at all possible. Keep in mind that the prerequisites for osteopathic
schools may differ somewhat from the allopathic ones shown above.
Back to Contents
Description
Medical technologists, now also called Clinical Laboratory Scientists,
are very important members of the medical team. Medical technologists must
be able to work quickly and accurately with body fluids, chemical reagents,
and complex instruments. Medical technologists must provide accurate test
results, which are used to make important, often life and death, medical
decisions. The need for timely and accurate information causes this occupation
to be highly stressful at times. Therefore anyone interested in pursuing
higher education in this area should be able to work well under pressure.
Opportunities
Medical technologists primarily work in hospital laboratories, although
there are some private laboratories in the United States. Although all students
are educated in every area, it is possible to specialize following graduation.
The most common specialty areas are listed below:
Requirements
Medical technology programs are generally 12 month programs organized
and run by hospitals. Most programs require prospective students to have
a degree or at least 90 hours of college credit. Most Goshen College medical
technology students complete their bachelors degree before getting a certificate
from a hospital based program. The core academic requirements are as follows:
General Chemistry |
1 yr. |
|---|---|
Organic Chemistry |
1 yr. |
(or Organic Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry) | |
Math or Statistics |
1 yr. |
Biological Principles |
1 yr. |
Human Anatomy &Physiology |
2 sem. |
Microbial Biology |
1 sem. |
Some programs require additional specific courses such as Genetics, Physics,
English, Statistics, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Introduction to
Computers. You will need to check with programs you are interested in
to determine which specific courses they require. The minimum grade
point average (GPA) needed to apply to a medical technology program is 2.5.
However, to be a strong candidate, a GPA of 2.8 or higher is desirable.
Application Procedure
There are numerous medical technology programs in every state. Unfortunately
each one has its own application procedure. Generally programs require prospective
students to submit a high school transcript, a college transcript, and letters
of reference along with an application. After your application has passed
through an initial evaluation, you will be asked to participate in a personal
interview. An admissions decision will be made following this interview.
You should check with any program in which you are interested to learn about
the particulars of its application process.
Suggested Plan of Study
| Year | Fall Semester | Spring Semester | May Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biological Principles | Biological Principles | |
| General Chemistry | General Chemistry | ||
| 2 | Organic Chemistry | Organic Chemistry | |
| Precalculus or Calculus I | Human Anatomy &Physiology | Human Anatomy &Physiology | |
| 3 | Microbial Biology | Genetics | |
Description
Optometrists are licensed professionals who specialize in the human
eye. They examine eyes to determine if there are vision defects or eye disorders.
After a diagnosis, optometrists also prescribe corrective glasses and contact
lenses or any other necessary treatment. Optometrists cannot do eye surgery,
but most states now allow them to prescribe medications for visual problems.
Opportunities
Optometrists can work in a variety of settings. Those interested in
primary care can open or join a private practice, work for chains, or be
associated with hospitals. Optometrists can teach or do research at colleges
and universities. Opportunities in industry include research in product
development and quality control.
Requirements
Each college of optometry has different specific academic requirements.
However a strong background in sciences is expected at every school. The
core academic requirements are as follows:
English |
1 yr. (usually req.) |
|---|---|
Mathematics |
1 yr. (calc. usually req.) |
General Chemistry |
1 yr. |
Organic Chemistry |
1 yr. |
Biological Principles |
1 yr. |
Microbial Biology |
1 sem. |
Statistics |
1 sem. (usually req.) |
Psychology |
1 sem. (usually req.) |
Physics |
1 yr. |
Contact any school in which you are interested as soon as possible
to learn about the specific requirements for that particular school.
Almost every optometry school requires or recommends biochemistry. Most
schools also require or recommend additional biology. Most schools also
have some additional specific requirements for humanities and social studies.
Every school requires prospective students to take the Optometry
Admission Test (OAT). This test should be taken in October or February
of the year preceding matriculation. OAT scores of admitted students typically
average around 330. The average grade point average (GPA) of accepted students
at optometry schools is around 3.3. To be a competitive applicant, you should
maintain a GPA at least that high.
Application Procedure
A common due date for applications is February 15, but the actual date
varies from school to school. In most cases, it would be advisable submit
the application well before the deadline, sometime in the fall. After receiving
your application, an admissions committee evaluates it according to your
fulfillment of the academic prerequisites, undergraduate GPA, OAT scores,
letters of recommendation, and residency. As with many other professional
programs, colleges of optometry general accept state residents much more
frequently than out-of-state applicants. If you meet the committee's initial
standards, you will be invited to participate in an interview which is usually
conducted by school faculty or members of the admissions committee. Unfortunately
there is not a uniform application service for colleges of optometry. You
must contact any school you are interested in to receive an application
and to determine application deadlines.
Suggested Plan of Study
| Year | Fall Semester | Spring Semester | May Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biological Principles | Biological Principles | |
| General Chemistry | General Chemistry | ||
| 2 | Organic Chemistry | Organic Chemistry | SST |
| Calculus I | Calculus II | ||
| 3 | General Physics | General Physics | |
| Microbial Biology | Human Anatomy &Physiology | Human Anatomy &Physiology | |
This chart only suggests one possible way to fit the basic science requirements
into your schedule. It is not necessary to take the courses in this order.
You will obviously be taking several other general education and elective
courses each year. Goshen College's general education English requirement
will meet any school's English prerequisite. At least a few of the elective
courses you take, especially those taken during your junior and senior years,
should be upper level science courses.
Back to Contents
Description
Historically, the role of the pharmacist has been to prepare and dispense
medication to a patient. In recent years this role has expanded. The pharmacist
now often also decides the form of medication, confirms that the dose and
dosage schedules are correct, checks for drug interactions, and informs,
advises and monitors patients and their use of the medication.
Opportunities
The need for pharmacists is expanding greatly because of an increased
average life span and incidence of chronic disease. Pharmacists can practice
in a variety of settings. Opportunities exist in locally owned or chain
pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes, and neighborhood clinics. Pharmacists
may also work in an industrial setting to conduct research, develop and
market new products, and maintain quality control. Employment within government
agencies such as the United States Public Health Service or the Food and
Drug Administration is also a possibility. And the opportunities mentioned
here are just a few of the many possibilities.
Requirements
Pre-pharmacy at Goshen College is usually a 2+3 or 2+4 program. Clinical
courses must be taken at a school that offers a professional pharmacy program.
Of the 75 colleges of pharmacy in the country, 17 offer only a bachelors
of pharmacy degree (B.Pharm.) in five year programs. 14 offer only a six
year program leading to a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.). 44 programs offer
both degrees. Students planning to enter a pharmacy program usually plan
to spend two (sometimes three) years at Goshen before transferring. Earning
a bachelors degree before entering the professional part of the program
extends the total length of the program. The academic background that is
commonly recommended is as follows:
General Chemistry |
1 yr. |
|---|---|
Organic Chemistry |
1 yr. |
Biological Principles |
1 yr. |
English |
1 yr. |
Calculus |
1 or 2 sem. |
Computer Science |
1 sem. |
Economics |
1 sem. |
Microbiology is also required at many schools, and physics and statistics
are often required. Many schools have other specific requirements. The Pharmacy
School Admissions Requirements booklet gives general information
on what individual schools require. To make sure that you have up-to-date
information about specific requirements and policies, you will need to contact
the admissions office of the colleges of pharmacy that you have selected.
It is recommended that you do this during your freshman year. There
are 75 colleges of pharmacy in the United States and unfortunately each
one requires slightly different academic prerequisites. Most, though not
all, of these schools will accept students who do their pre-clinical work
at other institutions. Generally required course work must be completed
with a grade of at least 'C', but to have a good chance of admission, your
GPA should be at least 3.0, preferably 3.2 or higher. State of residence
is a strong factor in some schools, a minor factor in some schools, and
not considered at all in other schools. Approximately half of the colleges
of pharmacy require or recommend that each prospective student take the
Pharmacy
College Admissions Test (PCAT).
Application Procedure
The application procedure also varies from school to school. After submitting
an application, each student will be evaluated on several criteria, such
as; previous academic curriculum, cumulative GPA, PCAT scores (when required),
and even personal motivation. An applicant's state of residency is usually
another consideration. State schools accept applicants who are residents
much more readily than out-of-state applicants. If you as an applicant satisfy
a school's primary requirements, you will be called to participate in an
interview with school faculty. Following this interview, you will most likely
be notified within several weeks. Once again, to learn more about the application
process at a specific college of pharmacy, contact that school's admissions
office. This contact should be made when you know which school or schools
you would like to apply to. Applicants are usually only accepted once a
year for the fall term and many schools have application deadlines in January
or February of that year. Some deadlines are even as early as November of
the previous year. Therefore, make contact with any schools you are interested
in as soon as possible.
Suggested Plan of Study
| Year | Fall Semester | Spring Semester | May Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biological Principles | Biological Principles | |
| General Chemistry | General Chemistry | ||
| 2 | Organic Chemistry | Organic Chemistry | SST |
| Calculus I | Calculus II | ||
It is entirely possible that you will be able to meet the basic requirements
of pharmacy programs within the first two years of college. You will obviously
also take several general education or elective courses every year. Any
English prerequisite will most likely be met through the required general
education classes. If you would decide to study at Goshen for more than
two years, it is recommended that you take more advanced science courses
such as Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Genetics, and Molecular Cell
Biology.
Back to Contents
Description
Physical therapists (P.T.) make an important contribution to the medical
treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. These disorders may be caused by
injury, illness, developmental defects, or the aging process. A physical
therapist also often helps people safely reach their physical fitness goals.
Opportunities
Physical Therapists are primarily affiliated with hospitals. However
some work in or operate private clinics. P.T.s work in the areas of rehabilitation,
community health, industry, sports, research and education. Currently there
are numerous job opportunities for physical therapists and job openings
are expected to increase in the next decade as the general population becomes
more physically active and the "baby boom" generation ages.
Requirements
Admission requirements vary tremendously from one program to another.
Some schools offer 2+3 programs which would require you to transfer from
GC after 2 years of carefully planned studies. Some students make this a
3+3 option, and transfer after completing their junior year. The American
Physical Therapy Association strongly recommends any student pursuing a
career in physical therapy to go through a post-baccalaureate or 4+2 program.
Students who choose to enter a 4+2 program earn a masters degree in physical
therapy. This option also allows you to graduate from Goshen and is the
preferred option for GC students.
While a specific major is not required to enter any P.T. program, the most
common majors chosen by pre-physical therapy students at GC are biology
and natural science. However, regardless of the major you choose, you will
need to complete the prerequisites required by the school you wish to attend.
Commonly required courses include:
General Chemistry |
1 yr. |
|---|---|
Physics |
1 yr. |
Biology |
at least 1 yr. |
| (including human anatomy &physiology) | |
Behavioral Sciences |
6-8 hrs. |
| (usually includes psychology) | |
Statisitcs |
1 sem. |
English |
1 yr. |
*(This list of academic prerequisites is most accurate for the University
of Indianapolis.)
Because the admissions requirements vary so greatly for each school,
it is extremely important that you check with the specific schools
you are interested in as soon as possible. Other courses
that are helpful, even if they are not required include: Basic Athletic
Training, Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, Developmental Vertebrate Biology,
Microbial Biology, Genetics, and Organic Chemistry. A 3.0 grade point average
(GPA) is often stated as the minimum average a school will accept. However
the average GPA given for the entering classes at many schools is 3.5 or
higher. Therefore, to be a competitive applicant for most P.T. programs,
you should try to maintain a GPA of approximately 3.5. Although a few schools
require prospective students to take the Allied Health Professions Admission
Test or the Health Occupations Aptitude Test, most require the Graduate
Record Exam (GRE). Along with these academic prerequisites, most schools
also require around 200 clock hours of volunteer experience in physical
therapy.
Application Procedure
Unfortunately, there is no uniform application procedure for physical
therapy programs. Application deadlines are often in December. The GRE,
or any other admission test required, should be taken several months before
the application deadline to allow time for scoring. Applications are evaluated
according to several criteria including an applicant's undergraduate GPA
and GRE results. Many programs also include personal interviews as a part
of their application procedure. Notification of acceptance or refusal is
usually given several months after the application deadline. Please check
with schools you are interested in to receive more accurate information
on application procedures.
Suggested Plan of Study
| Year | Fall Semester | Spring Semester | May Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biological Principles | Biological Principles | |
| General Chemistry | General Chemistry | ||
| General Psychology | |||
| 2 | General Physics | General Physics | SST |
| Developmental Psychology | |||
| 3 | Intro. to Statistics | Intro. to Computers | |
| Human Anatomy &Physiology | Human Anatomy &Physiology | ||
This table only represents one possible way to fit in the basic courses
required by physical therapy programs. It is not necessary to take these
courses in the given order. You will also obviously take several general
education and elective courses each year. The English prerequisite will
be met through Goshen College's general education requirements.
Back to Contents
Description
Physician assistant programs were begun in the mid-1960's in an attempt
to compensate for a shortage of doctors. Today a certified Physician Assistant
(P.A.) is able to perform general tasks such as screening patients, taking
medical histories, and performing physical exams. They are also able to
do more technical tasks such as assisting with surgery and performing electrocardiograms,
blood transfusions, and casting and splinting. Essentially the P.A. practices
medicine with supervision by a licensed physician.
Opportunities
The employment opportunities in this field are numerous. P.A.s work
in physicians' offices, clinics, hospitals, extended care and correctional
facilities, and Health Maintenance Organizations. P.A.s also operate satellite
clinics where a physician is only present a few days a week.
Requirements
The majority of P.A. programs require applicants to have at least two
years of college credit. However most successful applicants have finished
a bachelors degree. Courses taken during undergraduate study should be from
the following areas:
To determine the specific requirements for a particular school, review
the "Physician Assistant Programs Directory" which can be found
in the science
secretary's office. To increase your chance for acceptance,
you should maintain a 3.0 grade point average (GPA). Although there is not
a standard admissions test for P.A. programs, some schools require prospective
students to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Many programs also require
experience such as shadowing a physician assistant or other clinically related
experience.
Application Procedure
Application policies, deadlines, and forms vary greatly from one
program to another. Therefore it is advisable that you write to any program
of interest as soon as possible to obtain more specific information.
The Association of Physician Assistant Programs (APAP) strongly encourages
any interested student to apply to several P.A. programs because most programs
have a very limited number of positions open for applicants. Applications
are evaluated with particular attention paid to an applicant's previous
academic curriculum, GPA, admissions test score if required, personal references,
and evidence of the applicant's understanding of the P.A.'s role. A final
admissions decision is made following an interview of the strongest applicants.
Suggested Plan of Study
| Year | Fall Semester | Spring Semester | May Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biological Principles | Biological Principles | |
| General Chemistry | General Chemistry | ||
| 2 | Calculus I | Calculus II | |
| General Psychology | Abnormal Psychology | ||
This table presents one way to fit some of the required courses into
your schedule. English and humanities prerequisites will most likely be
met by general education courses which all Goshen students are required
to take. If you plan to graduate from Goshen instead of entering a P.A.
program immediately after your second year, you should plan to go on SST
during your second May Term. Any additional years at Goshen should include
a good amount of advanced science courses.
Back to Contents
Description
Podiatrists are medical practitioners who specialize in the human foot.
Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) focus on the prevention, diagnosis,
and treatment of diseases and disorders of the human foot. Podiatrists are
fully licensed physicians who can prescribe drugs and perform surgery. In
addition to general practice, it is also possible to specialize within the
field in the areas of podiatric surgery, orthopedics / biomechanics, podiatric
dermatology or podiatric sports medicine.
Opportunity
There is a great need for podiatrists. According to the "Pre-medical
Planning Guide" there is only one podiatrist for every 25,000 people.
It has been estimated that more than two times that number is necessary
to meet the existing demand for foot care. As mentioned in the previous
paragraph, there are several specialties within the field of podiatry. Likewise
there are a number of settings in which a D.P.M. can practice. Although
the majority establish private/general practices, podiatrists may also be
affiliated with hospitals or clinics and work in public health or strictly
sports medicine.
Requirements
The entrance requirements at podiatric medical schools are almost identical
to those at medical schools. Although the prerequisites may vary slightly
between schools, the generally expected minimum course requirements are
as follows:
Biology |
1 yr. |
|---|---|
General Chemistry |
1 yr. |
Organic Chemistry |
1 yr. |
Physics |
1 yr. |
English |
6 sem. hrs. |
You should check with schools you are interested in to learn about
any specific course requirements they may have. According to the
Pre-medical Planning Guide, the average grade point average for podiatric
school applicants was 2.93 in 1992. It is likely that this average has risen
over the last couple of years. Therefore to be a competitive applicant you
should try to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. All podiatric medical schools
also require prospective students to take the Medical
College Admissions Test (MCAT). You should take the MCAT during the
spring of your junior year. This allows time for scoring to be completed
and also for you to retake the test, if needed, before you submit your application.
Application Procedure
Six of the seven US podiatric medical schools participate in the American
Association of College of Podiatric Medicine Application Service (AACPMAS).
This service provides a uniform application procedure for participating
podiatric schools. It also allows students to apply to as many schools as
they would like by only filling out one application. The application deadline
for the AACPMAS is July 1 of the year of matriculation. After your application
and letters of recommendation have been submitted, they will be evaluated
according to fulfillment of academic prerequisites, GPA, MCAT scores, and
residency. Schools are more likely to accept your application if you are
a resident of the state in which the school is located. Keep this fact in
mind as you decide which schools to apply to. If you satisfy the admissions
committee's initial requirements, you will be invited to participate in
an interview which is usually conducted by members of the school's faculty
or admissions committee. You will most likely be notified of a final admissions
decision a month or so after your interview.
Suggested Plan of Study
| Year | Fall Semester | Spring Semester | May Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biological Principles | Biological Principles | |
| General Chemistry | General Chemistry | ||
| 2 | Organic Chemistry | Organic Chemistry | SST |
| 3 | General Physics | General Physics | |
This chart obviously does not depict a full schedule. It simply gives
you an idea of how to fit the minimum requirements into your schedule. Each
year you will also take several general education and elective courses.
Goshen College's general education English requirement will satisfy the
English prerequisite for any podiatric school.
Back to Contents
Description
Practicing veterinarians are not just "animal doctors." Although
their primary job obviously is to treat animal diseases, veterinarians also
help the human population. The human life span is directly affected and
lengthened as veterinarians work to control the transmission of diseases
from animals to humans and to advance medical technology. Most veterinarians
choose to specialize in either large (e.g., horses, cows) or small (e.g.,
cats, dogs) animals, but several other types of specialization are also
available.
Opportunities
Veterinarians are most commonly employed in private practice. However
job opportunities also exist in industrial settings, in governmental agencies
and in research or education at universities. The role of the veterinarian
continues to change over the years and this change creates even more opportunities
in this growing field.
Requirements
The admissions requirements vary greatly for each school. Generally
a strong background in Chemistry and Biology with courses in math and English
is expected. The following courses are required at nearly all veterinary
schools:
English |
1 yr. |
|---|---|
Biological Principles |
1 yr. |
General Chemistry |
1 yr. |
Organic Chemistry |
1 yr. |
Physics |
1 yr. |
Biochemistry |
1 sem. |
You will need to check the Veterinary Medical School Admissions
Requirements booklet to learn about the exact requirements for
a specific school. Many schools have additional requirements. For example,
Purdue University requires Calculus, Genetics, Speech and Statistics. While
there is usually not a required grade point average (GPA), it would be wise
to maintain at least a 3.0; the 1994 freshman class at Purdue had a mean
cumulative GPA of 3.4. The Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT) is not
necessarily required for admission into a veterinary professional program.
In fact most schools require the Graduate
Record Exam (GRE) instead. A few will even accept MCAT scores. Experience
in working with animals or at a veterinary clinics is strongly
recommended. At many schools, it is a requirement.
Application Procedure
The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges just established
the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) in 1995. This
new service creates a uniform application process for almost all veterinary
schools. Each application is first processed by VMCAS and then forwarded
to participating schools that the applicant is interested in. More information
and applications can be obtained by writing to VMCAS. Many application deadlines
are as early as November of the year prior to enrollment, although some
are later. Contact any school you are interested in as soon as possible
to find out what deadlines it has. The process used to evaluate applications
commonly has a couple of steps. The primary evaluation considers an applicant's
previous academic curriculum, GPA, and admissions test scores. In recent
years, undergraduate GPAs of accepted students has ranged from 3.2 to 3.6.
Therefore, to be a competitive applicant, it is desirable to have an undergraduate
GPA of at least 3.4. Applicants who meet the primary criteria of undergraduate
academic record and test scores are usually interviewed by school faculty
and following this interview an admission decision will be made. Compared
to state residents, nonresident can anticipate much higher expectations
for admissions.
Suggested Plan of Study
| Year | Fall Semester | Spring Semester | May Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biological Principles | Biological Principles | |
| General Chemistry | General Chemistry | ||
| 2 | Organic Chemistry | Organic Chemistry | SST |
| Calculus I | Calculus II | ||
| 3 | General Physics | General Physics | |
| Biochemistry | |||
The classes shown in the table above include the minimal science requirements.
(Some schools do not require calculus.) To be a competitive veterinary college
applicant, you should take several more advanced science classes throughout
your undergraduate career. Talk to your academic advisor if you are unsure
which classes would be most helpful.
Back to Contents
There are numerous other fields that may be of interest to some students.
Except for the fields of audiology and Health Services Manager, more information
about these fields can be obtained in the Allied Health Education Directory,
available in the science secretary's office and at the Career Services Office.
Most of these fields are also described in the Occupational Outlook Handbook,
available at the Career Services Office and in the library reading room.
Relevant extracts of the Occupational Outlook Handbook are
also available in the science secretary's office and from any of the pre-medical
advisors. Goshen College does not offer the clinical work neede to be certified
in any of these programs. However, students can take prerequisite courses
at Goshen College. The student can then do one of the following:
A summary of some of these fields is given below.
| Health Field | College Prerequisite | Program Degree | Terminal Degree | Average Starting Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anesthesiologist's Assistant | bachelors degree | 2 years | masters degree | $60-70,000 |
| Athletic Trainer/Sports Medicine | none or bachelors degree | 4 years for bachelors degree or 1-2 years for post-bac. | certificate or bachelors degree | varies |
| Audiologist | bachelors degree | 1-2 years | masters degree | $29,000 |
| Blood Bank Technology | bachelors and med. tech. | 1 year | certificate or masters degree | $32,000 |
| Cytotechnology | some course work | 1 year | certificate or bachelors degree | $35,000 |
| Health Information Management | none or bachelors degree | 4 years for bachelors, 1 year for post-bac. | certificate or bachelors degree | $24,000 |
| Health Services Manager | none or bachelors degree | 4 years for bachelors, or 1-2 for post-bac. | bachelors or masters degree | $30-40,000 |
| Medical Illustrator | bachelors degree | 2-3 years | masters degree | $40-50,000 |
| Nuclear Medicine Technology | none or bachelors degree | 2 years for AA degree, 4 years for bachelors, or 1 year for post-bac. | certificate, or AA degree, or bachelors degree | $29,000 |
| Occupational Therapy | none or bachelors degree | 4 years for bachelors degree or 2 years for post-bac. | certificate, or bachelors degree, or masters degree | $32,000 |
| Orthotics/Prosthetics | none or bachelors degree | 4 years for bachelors, or 1-2 for certificate | certificate or bachelors degree | varies |
| Pathologist's Assistant | none or bachelors degree | 4 years for bachelors, or post bac. | bachelors or masters degree | $40,000 |
| Respiratory Therapist | none | 2 or 4 years | certificate, or associate degree, or bachelors degree | $25,000 |