Pre-Professional Scholars Programs

Conditionally Guaranteed Admission to the University's Professional Schools

The Pre-Professional Scholars Programs in Medicine and Dentistry grant conditional commitments of admission to some of the professional schools at Case Western Reserve University to a few outstanding entering first-year undergraduates.

These commitments are honored upon successful completion of the requirements established by each professional school. Students admitted to these programs are relieved of much of the anxiety and uncertainty associated with pre-professional studies. Consequently, they feel free to undertake challenging courses of study and pursue a variety of interests as they prepare for professional studies.

Pre-Professional Scholars in Medicine are free to choose any of the bachelor’s degrees available in the University. Pre-Professional Scholars in Dentistry are not required to complete a bachelor's degree, but may elect to do so in any of the bachelor's degrees available.  Participants who wish to change their career goals or apply for admission to other professional schools are free to do so.

Pre-Professional Scholars Program in Dentistry

Each year, approximately 10 exceptionally well-qualified high school seniors who plan to pursue careers in dentistry are offered places in the Pre-Professional Scholars Program in Dentistry. This program requires seven years: three years of successful undergraduate study and four years at the School of Dental Medicine.

Pre-Professional Scholars in Dentistry are not required to complete a major, but if they elect to earn a bachelor's degree they are free to choose a major in an area of interest. Students who elect to complete a bachelor's degree must either complete all degree requirements by the end of their third year or switch to the Senior Year in Professional Studies program, which permits them to substitute the work of the first year in dental school for that required during the last year as an undergraduate pursuing a Bachelor of Arts.  Students who switch to the Senior Year in Professional Studies program in order to complete their bachelor's degree will not lose their conditional admission to the School of Dental Medicine, but they are expected to complete all requirements for the Pre-Professional Scholars Program.

To qualify for the place reserved in the School of Dental Medicine, a Pre-Professional Scholar in Dentistry must achieve the following:

• A cumulative grade point average of 3.500 or higher for all coursework, as well as for all science coursework taken, including, but not exclusively, biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
• A Perceptual Ability score of 18 or higher and an Academic Average score of 19 or higher on the Dental Admission Test (DAT) of the American Dental Association. The test must be taken no later than October of the third year.
• Successful completion of a SAGES First Seminar, two University Seminars, a SAGES writing portfolio, at least one course in the arts and humanities, at least one course in the social sciences, and two semesters of physical education.
• A successful transition interview with faculty representing the School of Dental Medicine's admissions committee, usually scheduled after the receipt of grades from the fall semester of the third year.
• Successful completion of the following courses, with a minimum of 30 credit-hours in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics taken at Case Western Reserve University:

Pre-Professional Scholars Program in Medicine

Each year, 15 to 20 exceptionally well-qualified high school seniors who plan to pursue careers in medicine are offered places in the Pre-Professional

Scholars Program in Medicine. Pre-Professional Scholars receive a conditional commitment of admission to the University Program of the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine to be honored upon successful progress toward and completion of the bachelor’s degree. The Pre-Professional Scholars Program in Medicine requires eight years: four years of successful undergraduate study leading to the bachelor’s degree followed by four years in the University Program of the School of Medicine. Pre-Professional Scholars in Medicine who complete their undergraduate degree requirements in fewer than four years are required to pursue other experiences intended to enhance their professional and personal development during the period following the receipt of their bachelor’s degree and until study at the School of Medicine begins.

Pre-Professional Scholars in Medicine are free to choose from among all of the degree and major programs offered in the university, but must complete the courses in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics/statistics, and behavioral sciences listed in the Conditions of Admission letter they received when accepted to the program. Pre-Professional Scholars are expected to demonstrate successful academic progress by meeting the following level of performance: A CWRU cumulative GPA of 3.63 and a cumulative American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) GPA and AMCAS Biology, Chemistry, Physics and MATH (BCPM) GPA of 3.63 at the time of application and maintained on final graduation transcripts. They are also expected to continue to fulfill expectations for outstanding professional and personal development as outlined in the Condition of Admission letter. These expectations include, but are not limited to, maintaining academic integrity and adhering to the university’s standards of conduct (all academic integrity and judicial offenses will be reported to the School of Medicine), clinical shadowing, and involvement in undergraduate activities and community programs.

Pre-Professional Scholars in Medicine are not required to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) for the program. However, if they do take the MCAT, they are expected to achieve a score that is above the 94th percentile. Program participants who have an interest in applying to other medical schools or who wish to be considered for a dean’s merit scholarship at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine should plan on taking this test.

Progress is reviewed with each student at regular intervals in the program.  At the end of the third year, Pre-Professional Scholars in Medicine who have met the required levels of performance go through the normal admission procedures for the University Program of the School of Medicine, including submitting an application through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) and an interview. Participants who do not meet the required levels of performance may still be admitted into the University Program of the School of Medicine, but such admission will be subject to review and approval by the School of Medicine’s Admissions Committee.

Successful completion of the Pre-Professional Scholars Program in Medicine guarantees admission only to the University Program of the School of Medicine. Students seeking admission to the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine must complete a separate application and will be considered in competition with all applicants for that program.

Applying to the Pre-Professional Scholars Program

Prospective students who wish to apply to either of the Pre-Professional Scholars Programs should do so through the Office of Undergraduate Admission. All forms are included within the application materials. Select Regular Decision or Early Decision I as your preferred admission plan. Later in the application you will be able to indicate your interest in applying for PPSP.

Those who apply Regular Decision and are not selected as a PPSP finalist will have an opportunity to be considered under the Regular Decision admission plan.

Pre-Professional Scholars candidates who apply under the Early Decision I admission plan commit to attending Case Western Reserve if admitted to the undergraduate program, regardless of whether they are selected as finalists for the Pre-Professional Scholars Program. This commitment needs to be made before candidates would know about their status with the Pre-Professional Scholars Program.

Admission to the Pre-Professional Scholars Program is highly competitive. Students who are not selected for the program may still be considered for undergraduate admission to Case Western Reserve, and many choose to enroll in the first-year class.

For more information, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission.