Pre-Professional Programs

Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Veterinary Programs, Pre-Law and Pre-Ministry

Pre-professional students are advised to take a broad, general education program to gain background in the arts, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences. Most professional schools do not require a specific undergraduate major, although many applicants elect a biology or chemistry major because of the entrance requirements of the schools.

Pre-Health Sciences
Admission to most medical schools is based on academic achievement as indicated by the grade point average, placement on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), recommendations, and personal interviews. Since medical schools have more qualified applicants for admission than they can accept, it cannot be too strongly emphasized that a strong academic record is required for acceptance. Admissions committees usually do not publish expected or cut-off scores for grade point averages. However, competition for the limited number of positions is intense; transcripts are reviewed with regard to consistency of performance, course loads and the degree of difficulty of the curriculum.

The minimum requirements for admission vary somewhat from institution to institution, but a typical list of requirements includes English Composition (6 semester hours), Biological Sciences with lab (8 hours), Inorganic Chemistry with lab (8 semester hours), Organic Chemistry with lab (8 semester hours), Physics with lab (8 semester hours), and Social or Behavioral Sciences (6 semester hours). A quantitative background, including Calculus, is recommended.

The MCAT should be taken in the spring of the junior year, but only after completing the required courses in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

The pre-dental program is very similar, except that it requires the Dental Admission Test rather than the MCAT. Pre-veterinary students take the MCAT, the VAT (Veterinary Aptitude Test), or the GRE (Graduate Record Exam), depending upon individual veterinary school requirements.

The pre-pharmacy program is designed to prepare students for advanced specialized study of pharmacy. Pharmacy schools will accept applications from students who have completed two years of college, but most students admitted to pharmacy schools have completed a four-year bachelor's degree, frequently with a major in chemistry.

Students interested in these professional fields should consult the Chair of the Biology and Environmental Science Department as early as possible after their entrance into Davis & Elkins College.

Pre-Law Program
Pre-law students are advised to take a broad, general education program that includes study of the humanities, social schience and natural sciences. Law schools require no particular major, although extensive work in history, political science, economics and sociology is strongly recommended. Competence in the skills of accounting, statistics, oral communication and writing will greatly aid student in both their Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and study in law school.

Admission to most law schools is based primarily on demonstrated ability determined by the college grade point average plus placement on the LSAT. Inasmuch as most law schools have many more applicants for admission than they can accept, few students with the minimum grade point average and minimum LSAT scores are accepted. An above-average academic record in undergraduate schools is expected of the pre-law student.

Students interested in a law career are encouraged to consult with Barry A. Weinstein as soon as possible after entering Davis & Elkins College.

Pre-Ministerial Program
Pre-ministerial students may major in any academic field, but should enroll in a wide variety of courses in the humanities and religion, history, and cultural studies. Enrollment in a modern language is recommended during the first year in college. In addition, an introductory course in Greek can prove helpful for the more advanced courses that most seminaries require for students seeking ordination.

Students seeking a career as a Christian educator upon graduation from college may elect to complete the major in Religious Education.

Students interested in these vocations should consult with the Department of Religion and Philosophy and/or the Benfield-Vick Chaplain. Courses at Davis & Elkins College are open to students of any religion affiliation. Students who have completed these programs may apply for admission the seminary of their choice.