The Pre-Health Advising Program has four components: 1) a strong curriculum in the sciences, which includes undergraduate research; 2) courses in the social sciences and humanities that address ethical, economic, and social issues in the health care field; 3) practical programs that focus on themes such as how to plan for a career in medicine and how to apply to medical and dental school; and 4) lectures by physicians and leaders in the health care professions. Through this range of activities, the Pre-Health Advising Program aids students in both their intellectual and career development.
Pre-Health Advising involves faculty from across the natural sciences, social ¬sciences, and the humanities. This approach to pre-health advising is in keeping with the nature of the problems facing medicine and health care professions today. In order for the health care professions to deal effectively with the scientific, technological, economic, social, and ethical problems that they currently face, those entering the professions must be trained broadly in the liberal arts. The American Association of Medical Colleges encourages undergraduates to take a balanced distribution of courses from the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities. Wooster’s curriculum provides a strong foundation for students interested in a career in medicine, dentistry, nursing, veterinary medicine, and other allied health fields. In addition to the strong programs the College offers in biology, biochemistry, and chemistry, many courses in the social sciences and humanities also address current issues in medicine and other health care fields. Research and clinical experiences are strongly encouraged for ¬students pursuing a career in the medical professions, and Wooster students are provided with an excellent opportunity to do undergraduate research through the College’s Independent Study program. The Pre-Health Advising Program assists ¬students in several important ways. Students are given practical advice, assisted in choosing the most appropriate courses, informed about the range of health career options, educated about the importance and methods of preparing for graduate admissions exams (e.g., MCAT, DCAT, VCAT, and GRE), and guided in the application process. Moreover, students are also provided with the chance to engage intellectually with health care issues through hands-on experiences, such as Medic Aid in which Wooster students volunteer at a local hospital, and through lectures presented by doctors and scholars in the health care field.
The College of Wooster also participates in various dual degree programs in the health care field. In medicine and dentistry, the dual degree option applies to any properly accredited medical or dental school that admits students with three years of pre-medical preparation. The College has established with Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry a combined seven-year or 3-4 program for Wooster ¬students. With approval of the in absentia privilege, the Bachelor of Arts degree is granted upon the successful completion of the first year of the professional course. The College has also established a cooperative 3-4 program with the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing (Case Western Reserve University), which requires the completion of three years at Wooster and four years at Case Western Reserve. While at Wooster, a student must meet the requirements for the dual degree program and complete two courses each in biology, chemistry, psychology, and sociology, and one course each in statistics, literature, and logic. Upon the successful completion of the first year in the nursing program at Case Western Reserve, the student will earn a B.A. from Wooster, and upon the completion of the nursing curriculum an N.D. and R.N. from Case Western Reserve. The R.N. is awarded upon passing the state certification examination. Details of these programs and specific course requirements are available from the chairperson of the Pre-Health Advising Program.