Pre-Medical Preparation Program

The Pre-Medical Preparation Program is designed for students who need additional course work in math and the sciences in preparation for application to medical or other health professions schools. A health professions advisor is available to help guide and mentor students in this program. Pre-Medical Preparation students have access to the same academic resources and activities as other Drew students, including our graduate-level library, full network access and extracurricular activities. 

Those students who successfully complete a minimum of 24 credits of pre-medical requirements at Drew may be eligible for support from Drew's Health Professions Committee.  Students completing fewer than 24 credits at Drew should plan on obtaining committee support from their undergraduate degree-granting institution.

Application Process

All students, part-time or full-time, must go through an application process and be admitted to the program in order to register for classes.   Successful applicants have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.8. This is to ensure your ability to excel in our rigorous basic science courses and go on to be a competitive applicant to health processions schools. 

Students who anticipate taking 12 or more credits (3 or more pre-health classes) must submit the following items as part of their application:

• an application form
• a non-refundable $50 application fee
• a personal statement (approx. 1-2 pages or 200-500 words):  Please use this personal statement to address any weaknesses in your undergraduate record.
• one letter of recommendation, preferably academic
• official transcripts from any previous colleges or universities attended
• a copy of an updated resume

Once all of the above-listed materials are received, the application is considered complete.   Pre-Medical Preparation applicants will meet with the with the Heath Professions Advisor. This meeting affords applicants an opportunity to discuss academic goals and concerns and also serves as an admission interview.

Download an application form: Post-Baccalaureate Programs Application Form

Those students who plan on completing fewer than 12 credits of pre-medical requirements (less than 3 classes) at Drew can apply as a standard non-matriculated student.  These students are required to complete the following as part of the application process:

• an application form
• a non-refundable $50 application fee
• official transcripts from any previous colleges or universities attended
• recommended: a personal statement (approx. 1-2 pages or 200-500 words)

Download an application form: Application for Non-matriculated Studies

To receive a hard copy of either application in the mail, please call 973/408-3400 or email owl@drew.edu.

Please be aware that Drew University does not offer a second BA program; the Pre-Medical Preparation program does not lead to the awarding of a degree from Drew.

Deadlines

The deadline for all completed applications is August 15 for the fall semester and January 15 for the spring semester.

Registering for Classes

All college courses are open to post-baccalaureate students on a space-available basis, providing all prerequisites are met. Students admitted to this program register the day prior to the start of classes for each semester. Although we can not guarantee that all courses will be open, the Office of Continuing Education will do everything it can to help you enroll in courses that meet your specific needs.

The current CLA course list is available on the Registrar's Office Website.

A note on curriculum: 

For those students needing to take General or Introduction to Biology as part of their preparation for medical school application, please be aware that the biology program at Drew University begins with three active laboratory courses that cover ecology, evolution, diversity (zoology, botany, microbiology), cell biology, and molecular biology. Many students will also take a fourth course that covers vertebrate anatomy and physiology. We recommend that students review the biology course descriptions below:

• BIOL 7/Ecology and Evolution (4 credits) An exploration of evolutionary and ecological processes and consequences, with close examination of population dynamics, population genetics, principles of heredity, the evolution of adaptations, community interactions, ecosystems, and biodiversity. Laboratory includes field-based investigations of upland and wetland ecosystems, as well as simulations and laboratory experiments.
• BIOL 9/Diversity of Life: Animals, Plants, and Microbes (4) credits) A survey of the animals, plants, fungi, protista, and bacteria of Planet Earth, with comparative analysis of adaptations for survival, reproduction, development, and metabolism. Laboratory emphasizes experimental methods of science as well as morphology and physiology of the major phyla.
• BIOL 22/Molecular and Cellular Biology (4 credits) An introduction to composition, structure, and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, using themes of energy and reproduction. Topics include DNA replication, transcription, and translation, mutations, gene regulation, membrane function, cellular communication, motility, absorption, and secretion. Laboratory includes current research techniques such as cell culture nucleic acid characterization, cloning, and restriction mapping.
• BIOL 24/Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology (4 credits) An examination of the structure and function of various physiological systems, such as circulation, respiration, and reproduction. How organs and organ systems evolved, how they function at a biochemical and biophysical level, how they are regulated, and how the functions of multiple systems are interconnected and coordinated within the whole organism. Laboratory will include the exploration of the dynamic function and regulation of human physiological systems and the study of anatomy through dissection of animal specimens.

Post-Baccalaureate Student Life

The Office of Continuing Education provides pre-admissions counseling and an individualized orientation to help ease your acclimation to our campus. As a participant in the Post-Baccalaureate Programs, you have full access to Drew University 's student services and facilities including: a graduate-level library, academic advising, the counseling center, the writing center, and the tutoring program. The Simon Forum and Athletic Center is available for use throughout your stay at our university.

More information about student life can be found on the Student Life Website.

Campus housing is available for full-time students on a space available basis.

Schedule of Semester Tuition & Fees 2009-2010

Please be aware that financial aid is not available to post-baccalaureate students.  Contact Drew's Business Office at 973/408-3114 for information about available payment plans.

*  A one time charge that allows you to have official transcripts sent from the Office of the Registrar at any time.