How long does it take to complete the program?
The program requires one academic year, often with summers, and a second year, depending on your background in science and mathematics, and how long ago you took them.

One special consideration is that the two year-long Chemistry courses cannot be taken simultaneously. In a special case, it might be possible (though not recommended) to take General Chemistry II concurrently with Organic Chemistry I. It may also be possible to take some of this coursework during the summer time.

What are the requirements for admission to the program?
Admission requirements for the program are:

• Completion of a bachelors degree by the time you begin the program.
• You should have a strong academic record in the collegiate work you bring to the program. It need not include any science or mathematics.
• Chemistry and Biology courses taken within the recent past will probably not be repeated.
• Since this is not a remedial program, you may be expected to take at least three courses (science and/or mathematics) each semester of the first year, 12 credit hours minimum, later part-time might be possible. If you have taken one or more of the required pre-medical courses in the last few years, you may need to take additional course work.

Should I send previous transcripts, ACT or SAT scores to Rockhurst University?
Yes, all transcripts should be sent from previous colleges and ACT (SAT) scores should be obtained from the high school from which you graduated. These should be sent directly from the previous schools to the Graduate Admissions Office at Rockhurst University.

How old are the students in the program?
Most students are in their 20s or early 30s, though a few may be older.

Do many students hold part-time jobs?
No, not during the semesters of full time course work. Holding a part-time job is discouraged, since this is a full-time program, and it is important that the student do very well.

Later, it is recommended that the student take a part-time volunteer (or paid) position in the health care field. Most medical schools expect some of this, though it need not be more than a few hours per week (e.g., one day a weekend).

Can I enter the program immediately after receiving my bachelor's degree?
Yes, as long as you have received the bachelor's degree by the time you enter the program.

How competitive is admission to the program?
We are more concerned about the qualifications of the applicant, than the number of applicants. We plan to enroll only those students who we feel will be viable candidates for medical school. We do not anticipate that the program will grow so large that we will not be able to give each student individual attention.

Do medical schools require calculus?
Generally speaking, they do not. On the other hand, a minimum of one semester certainly makes the student more competitive. Calculus is also required for the Physics courses. For these reasons, we require one semester in this program.

Can I do this program on a part-time basis?
In general, the medical school will expect at least one full year as a full-time student. This becomes more important the longer the time between the end of one's regular collegiate work and the beginning of the Post-Baccalaureate Program.