YOUR PATH TO WHITE COAT STARTS HERE
Whether you’re chasing a career in medicine, allopathic or osteopathic practice, Ripon’s pre-health programs pair hands-on research and with the personal mentorship you need to stand out. This is where future physicians and healthcare leaders get their start—and where your extraordinary begins.
WHAT MEDICAL SCHOOLS ARE LOOKING FOR
Getting into medical school takes more than good grades. Admissions committees want to see the whole picture—your intellect, your character and your commitment to caring for others. At Ripon, you’ll build all of it.
Here’s what they’re evaluating:
- Strong, scholastic achievement, especially in the sciences
- Letters of recommendation from faculty who actually know you
- Competitive MCAT scores
- A confident interview
- A personal statement that sounds like you
- Real exposure to clinical medicine
- Research experience
- Volunteer work and community service
The average GPA for accepted med students sits around 3.6—and with Ripon’s small classes and close faculty mentorship, you’ll have every resource to get there.
BUILD THE RIGHT FOUNDATION*
There’s no required major for medical school. But there is a roadmap—and we’ll help you follow it from day one.
Start strong. Begin with CHM 111 and BIO 123 your first year—they unlock the upper-level courses ahead.
Your core science requirements:
- Biology — General biology/zoology with lab, plus an advanced course (e.g. Genetics, Microbiology, Cell & Molecular Biology)
- Chemistry — General and organic chemistry, both with lab, plus Biochemistry
- Physics — A full year, with lab included
- Writing — A writing-intensive humanities course beyond your intro requirement
- Statistics — Math or Psychology, your choice
- Calculus — Required by a handful of schools, worth having in your back pocket
Because medicine calls for more than lab skills, we’ll also point you toward coursework in the humanities and social sciences—the kind that sharpens how you think, write and communicate with patients.
*The specific admission requirements vary from school to school, and a student should plan carefully to ensure their education and work experiences enhance their chances for admission.
A RESERVED SEAT AT MEDICAL SCHOOL
Imagine knowing you’re headed to medical school before you’ve even finished your bachelor’s degree. That’s the power of Ripon’s affiliation with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM).
Through the LECOM Early Acceptance Program (EAP), qualified students earn a provisional, reserved seat at LECOM’s campuses in Erie, PA; Greensburg, PA; Elmira, NY; or Bradenton, FL—often without ever needing to take the MCAT.
How it works:
- Apply as early as your senior year of high school, or up through your second year at Ripon
- Interview directly with LECOM—no AACOMAS or AMCAS required
- Stay enrolled in the EAP for two consecutive years before matriculating
- Must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
What it takes to matriculate:
- A science major
- Uninterrupted, full-time completion of prerequisite coursework
- A 3.3+ cumulative science GPA
- A 3.4+ cumulative overall GPA
LECOM places no cap on AP credit toward your requirements, so the work you’ve already put in counts.
Your Health Professions Advising Committee (HPAC) will help you map the EAP-specific coursework—from English and behavioral science, to biology, chemistry and biochemistry—so nothing catches you off guard.
MORE PATHS, MORE POSSIBILITY
Ripon’s partnership with Midwestern University opens the door even wider. Qualified students receive guaranteed interviews at the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM) and the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM).
Ask your HPAC advisor how to make the most of it.
The pre-health program at Ripon provided me with a strong knowledge base that has allowed for a smooth transition into the heavy workload of medical school and the research experience helps set me apart from most of the other traditional medical school students. I'm excited to keep learning more about comprehensive approaches to patient care through Osteopathic Medicine.