Goshen College Pre-Professional Health Programs Guide
1996 EDITION


PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS

Dentistry:

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.

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Medicine:

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.

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Medical Technology:

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  

This table obviously does not represent a full schedule. Each year you will also be taking several general education and elective courses. Some of the courses listed above may not be required or others may need to be added depending on what program you are planning to enter.

In order to take the medical technology certification exam after completing a medical technology program, it is necessary to have your transcript evaluated by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Since this evaluation includes college courses, it is advisable to have this done before applying to medical technology schools to ensure that you are in compliance.

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Optometry:


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.

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Pharmacy:


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.

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Physical Therapy:


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.

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Physician Assistant:


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.

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Podiatry:


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.

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Veterinary Medicine:


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.

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Other Health Related Fields:


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


Initial web implementation by Chris Kennel
Maintained by Dr. James S. Miller
Last updated 3 Nov. 1997
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