Students can apply to medical school with any major, as long as required Pre Med courses are completed. OSU offers the greatest variety of majors of any university in the state. Our Pre Med students choose majors in Science (Biology, Biochemistry/Biophysics, Chemistry, Microbiology, Zoology), Engineering (Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Health Physics), Health and Human Sciences (Exercise and Sports Science, Nutrition, Public Health), and Liberal Arts (History, Music, Psychology, Spanish, etc).
Research enhances a student’s medical school application and OSU attracts more research funding than any other institution in the state. For 2008-2009, OSU faculty brought in more than $252 Million. Each year, approximately 56 OSU students participate in the OSU Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer Undergraduate Research Program on campus.
Access to experienced Pre Med advisors is extremely important. The advisors at Oregon State will be available to help students and ensure that they are on track with their Pre Med courses. OSU has a Pre Med Committee composed of the Chief Pre Med Advisor, Chere Pereira, and 13 other experienced faculty members who meet with students and help them with all aspects of the preparation and application. Dr. Kevin Ahern teaches a popular class, Science in the Public Eye, where interviewing and writing skills in a scientific context are stressed.
Ms. Pereira is the most experienced Pre Med Advisor in Oregon. She has been in the position since 1987, and is also very involved with the NAAHP (National Association of Advisors for Health Professions) where she has served on the Board of Directors since 2000. She is currently a member of the NAAHP Committee on Minority Affairs, Chair of the Professional Development Committee, and serves as NAAHP Liaison to the Physician Assistant Profession. In addition, she has served as President and Program Chair for the western division of the NAAHP. Ms. Pereira has also conducted External Reviews of other Pre Med Programs.
During spring quarter OSU offers a helpful Pre Med Orientation Course, BI 109, which features local physicians, admissions officers, and information about coursework, majors, finances, etc.
For those applying to medical school, there is an application seminar series consisting of informational sessions and discussions about health care issues, and there is assistance offered at every step of the application process.
The Preceptorship Program matches Pre Med students with local physicians, so that they can learn more about the profession.
In addition speakers, such as Dr. John Kitzhaber, Oregon governor and author of the Oregon Health Plan, visit campus on a regular basis. OSU also has a medical Humanities program: http://oregonstate.edu/cla/medical-humanities/
The OSU College of Science offers many scholarships for Pre Med students in a variety of majors. In addition, there are 6 scholarships for students beginning medical school. See the scholarship application, and note that only current OSU students are eligible to apply.
OSU accepts postbac students: /node/356
OSU graduates attend medical schools all across the country. Our students are well-regarded and well-prepared. Generally about 65-70% of our applicants are admitted compared to 42% nationally. Our performance on the MCAT is always well above average, with students regularly scoring above the 95th percentile. Medical schools' admissions directors (such as OHSU, Stanford University, Washington University, Medical College of Wisconsin, etc) have visited campus, and Ms. Pereira has been invited to visit a number of medical schools. OHSU admits many students from OSU.
Facebook