The program is somewhat flexible, depending on each student's background. The usual requirements are:

• Two semesters of at least three science courses usually with labs. This will allow us to evaluate your preparation for medical school. These courses must be taken at Rockhurst.
  
• Completion of all the minimum course work required for the MCAT and for the Medical School admission. (see below)
  
• Actual courses will be determined by the program advisor in consultation with the student. In general, courses taken more than five years previ-ously will not be considered.
  
• Generally, the program requires at least one full academic year and one or two summers of course work. In some cases, two academic years may be required.

It should be understood that the MCAT may not be taken before completion of the courses required by the medical schools (or in April of the last semester). Application to medical school is made in the summer in order to begin medical school one year later. This is standard medical school policy, and exceptions are rarely made.

When the student is ready to apply to medical school, he/she will be interviewed by the Rockhurst Pre-Medical Committee and the letter of recommendation will be written on behalf of the committee by one of its members.

Advising

Rockhurst University has an extensive advising program. Each student in the Post-Baccalaureate Program is assigned an advisor, a member of the Pre-Medical Committee thoroughly familiar with the student's needs. The advisor follows the student's progress closely, assuring that the student progresses as expeditiously as possible.

Course Work

The student will attend the regular undergraduate classes. There will be no special classes since the medical schools expect the standard undergraduate courses as preparation. Medical schools recognize our courses, and understand their rigor. Hence, the Post-Baccalaureate students attend classes with regular undergraduate students.

Rockhurst places special importance on the student's preparation in mathematics and we require at least one semester of calculus (required for physics), either before beginning, or early in the program.

While the student must complete the required courses and take the MCAT at least one full year before beginning medical school, we strongly recommend that the student take additional courses during the intervening year in order to improve his/her position when medical studies actually commence. In fact, some medical schools require additional courses that must be taken prior to enrolling in medical school. These courses will be selected in consultation with the advisor.

Financial Aid

Students participating in the Certificate Program may qualify for financial aid.