Kettering University and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) signed an agreement June 14 allowing Kettering students to complete their medical or pharmaceutical education at the largest medical school in the country. The agreement guarantees Kettering five seats for pre-med students to enter LECOM’s College of Osteopathic Medicine and five seats to enter LECOM’s School of Pharmacy, per entering class.
U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Medical Colleges Guide” ranks LECOM as fifth in the nation for graduating primary care physicians and second in the U.S. for lowest tuition among private medical schools.
LECOM’s Dr. Christine S. Kell, Ph.D., associate dean of preclinical education, and John Wojtkielewicz, facilitator/admissions associate, joined Kettering Provost Robert Simpson, faculty members Dr. Stacy Seeley and Dr. Patrick Atkinson and Kristen Russell, a sophomore pre-med major from Pennsylvania, at the signing ceremony.
“This is a significant advancement for Kettering’s pre-med and pharmacy program,” Kettering Provost Robert Simpson said. “I think the problem-based learning pathway will be most appealing for our students and blend well with their co-op experiential learning.
“Kettering programs are heavily based in laboratory experiences, which helps our students become excellent problem solvers,” Simpson continued. “Kettering students will fit perfectly with the LECOM model of quality training that is innovative and affordable.”
Dr. Stacy Seeley, department head of Chemistry/Biochemistry and Pre-Med Coordinator, said students will apply to the Early Assurance Program prior to their junior year and then be notified if they are provisionally accepted by LECOM. “This is a huge advantage for our pre-med students,” Seeley continued. “They get to avoid a lot of the anxiety and stress associated with applying and getting accepted into a medical school. They will also drastically cut down on application fees which can become a significant expense.”
Students interested in LECOM will have an opportunity to visit the campus two to three years before matriculation, “which will open doors for mentoring and a chance to get familiar with LECOM’s facilities, faculty and academic pathways,” Seeley explained. “Kettering students will have to meet or exceed the admissions criteria, which includes an overall GPA ≥ 3.4, science GPA ≥ 3.2, MCAT scores ≥ 24, shadowing/volunteering experience, and a strong application, letters of recommendation, and interview.”
The partnership with Kettering is one of several agreements LECOM has with leading institutions, allowing students to gain early acceptance into their medical and pharmacy programs.
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About Kettering’s Pre-Med Advantage
Kettering’s Pre-Med/Health Sciences course of study officially launched in Spring 2008. It currently has around 55 students.
“What makes the Kettering program different is that the co-op experience gives Kettering students an opportunity to learn both in the classroom and in the real world,” said Dr. Pat Atkinson, professor of Mechanical Engineering and Pre-Med advisor. “Kettering’s style of pre-med preparation translates into an added value that gets our students into medical school.”
Getting into medical school is not just about GPA and MCAT scores, Seeley explained. “Applicants must demonstrate that they are passionate about helping people and passionate about medicine. At Kettering, we mentor our students so that they know exactly what it takes to get to the next level,” she continued.
“Students who are interested in advanced degrees in the health sciences benefit from our one-on-one advising, small class sizes and outreach opportunities,” Atkinson said. “Kettering has established strong relationships with all of the medical schools in Michigan, so we’re pleased to be expanding our reach outside of the state now.”
Two highlights of Kettering’s pre-med program are a popular lecture series and ongoing opportunities to host representatives from all of Michigan’s medical schools. “Visitors from the various medical schools always seem very impressed with our students, and they like the hard science and engineering backgrounds that our students receive. This isn’t surprising because medicine is becoming increasingly more technical. Having a strong foundation in science with an understanding of engineering will make the difference for their future success,” he added.
About LECOM
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) is a private college with its main campus in Erie, Penn. There are also locations at Seton Hill in Greensburg, Penn., and LECOM in Bradenton, Fla. LECOM offers Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees. The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree program has five different pathways to earn a medical degree including a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Pathway. The PBL pathway is a new, innovative way to teach medicine where case studies in a small group environment are designed to enhance a student’s critical thinking. For more on LECOM, visit: http://www.lecom.edu/
Written by Patricia Mroczek and Dr. Stacy Seeley
810.762.9533
pmroczek@kettering.edu