Program

SHU biology and chemistry majors are eligible for the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine’s early acceptance program, which grants qualified students provisional early acceptance to LECOM’s School of Pharmacy, School of Dental Medicine, School of Podiatric Medicine or College of Osteopathic Medicine.

SHU offers the prerequisite coursework required by most medical schools: one year of biology, one year of English, two years of chemistry through organic chemistry, one year of physics, and one semester of biochemistry, statistics, psychology, and sociology. Requirements vary, so please see the MSAR database for the complete list of prerequisites for each U.S. and Canadian medical school. Medical schools do not post a minimum GPA requirement, but the average overall GPA of successful applicants is around 3.75. Most medical schools require a Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score, and SHU has MCAT preparation books. The average MCAT score of those who enter medical school is around 512. We strongly recommend studying more than 3 months for the MCAT and taking the test after completing the sophomore year, but before April of the junior year.

SHU supports extracurricular activities for your medical school application. Through Siena Serves, students can complete community/volunteer service through the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, Fishes & Loaves Food Pantry, and many others. Lenawee County is home to Promedica Hickman Hospital, Family Medical Center of Michigan, Lenawee Medical Care Facility, Adrian Urgent Care, Main Street Urgent Care, Lenawee Walk in Clinic, Tecumseh Urgent Care, and numerous local Promedica health centers, where students can shadow physicians across different specialties (primary care, emergency medicine, dermatology, etc.) and in different contexts (inpatient, outpatient, community clinic, operating room, …). In addition, Lenawee County provides opportunities for students to gain direct patient exposure experiences by working as an EMT, CMA, CNA, or at an assisted living facility, hospice care center, home health, rehabilitation center, crisis text line, or suicide hotline. Students can also gain health-related research experiences working one-on-one with a SHU faculty member or by enrolling in a SHU Sustainability Internship focused on air-, water-, or food-quality. SHU has active chapters of Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honors Society, Greenlight Environmental Science Club, and a Chemistry Club, where students can develop essential leadership skills. The Center for Student Success provides dedicated advisors to assist students with academic development. Siena Heights’ Career Services offers valuable networking, internship, and career opportunities through workshops, job boards, and career fairs.

SHU alumni are successful medical school graduates of Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, St. Louis University School of Medicine, Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine, and the American University of Antigua College of Medicine.

Milson Luce (mluce@sienaheights.edu) advises pre-professional students. It is recommended that students contact Milson as soon as possible to explore specific requirements for their professional goals.