Pre-Osteopathic Medicine Program

Honors Program

Honors students complete an independent research project usually spanning their junior and senior years. Your research can take you just about anywhere - in the lab or library, in the community, or in the U.S. or abroad! Honors work can also be very practical. Prospective employers and graduate admissions committees often look carefully at an undergraduate record for evidence of extra initiative and genuine intellectual strength.

Learn more about the Honors Program

Pre-Osteopathic Medicine internships and job shadowing

The Academic and Career Success Center is available to help you find internships and career opportunities. Students recently completed internships at the following locations: 

• Faith Regional Health Services (Norfolk, Neb.)
• Franciscan Healthcare (West Point, Neb.)
• MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center (Sioux City, Iowa)
• Providence Medical Center (Wayne, Neb.)
• Sidney Regional Medical Center (Sidney, Neb.)

Career services and internships

Topics covered in the Pre-Osteopathic Medicine pathway

Depending on your chosen major and medical school prerequisites, your studies may include:

• Biological sciences
• Human anatomy and physiology
• Molecular biology and genetics
• Microbiology and immunology
• General and organic chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Physics
• Scientific research and data analysis
• Laborator techniques and research methods

This timeline is a general guide for students following a traditional four-year undergraduate path to osteopathic medical school. Admission requirements and application timelines vary by school, so work closely with your advisor and review requirements for each medical school you are considering.

Freshman year

1. Meet with your Pre-Osteopathic Medicine program advisor to choose a major, plan prerequisite courswork, and discussion opportunities for job shadowing, clinical experience, service, internships, and research.
2. Build a strong foundation, particularly in your science courses.
3. Join the Health Science Club or other campus organizations to engage in health-related activities and participate in networking events.
4. Begin learning about osteopathic medicine and researching D.O. schools and their admission requirements. Be mindful of prerequisite course and GPA requirements, location, costs, program reputation, and entrance exams score requirements. Inquire with the professional school for any specific questions or guidance.

Sophomore year

1. Continue completing prerequisit coursework and maintaining a strong academic record.
2. Gain health care experience through job shadowing, volunteering, employment, internships, or other opportunities.
3. Continue researching osteopathic medical schools, including prerequisite courses, GPA expectations, costs, locations, and admission requirements. 
4. Study and practice for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).
5. Take the free practice MCAT exam available at WSC each semester.

Interested in the KCU accelerated pathway?
Meet with your pre-health advisor early in your sophomore year. Students who meet Kansas City University’s eligibility guidelines may receive an application link in December and may be invited to interview with KCU during the spring semester.

Junior year

1. Continue prerequisite and upper-level science coursework and take the MCAT according to your application plan.
2. Identify individuals who can provide strong letters of recommendation and review the requirements of the medical schools you plan to apply to.
3. Continue clinical experience, community service, job shadowing, research, and other activities that demonstrate your preparation for medicine.
4. Develop your personal statement and prepare other application materials.
   Begin the AACOMAS application process when it opens and submit a complete application as early as practical.
5. Complete secondary applications and prepare for medical school interviews.

KCU accelerated pathway: Students accepted through KCU’s partner program return to Wayne State for their junior year to complete required coursework. After completing at least 90 undergraduate credit hours and satisfying KCU requirements, they may matriculate at KCU and forego the traditional senior year.

Senior year

1. Complete your major, remaining prerequisite coursework, and bachelor’s degree requirements.
2. Complete secondary applications and participate in interviews as requested by medical schools.
3. Continue gaining meaningful clinical, service, leadership, and academic experiences.
4. Review admissions offers, financial aid, and other factors as you choose the medical school that is right for you.
5. Complete any final requirements for matriculation and prepare to begin medical school after graduation.

Graduates of the Pre-Osteopathic Medicine program work in their field or continue their studies using the skills they learned while at Wayne State College. Each year, medical schools and employers welcome WSC graduates into their organizations.

Recent grads are pursuing their medical degrees at the following schools:

• A.T. Still University – Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (Kirksville, Mo.)

 Career possibilities:

• Osteopathic physician
• Family physician
• Primary care physician
• General surgeon
• Rehabilitation physician
• Internal medicine specialist
• Diagnostic medical specialist
• Clinical professor

 

job or grad school placement rate
within six months of graduation
Data based on most recent
employment outcomes survey