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, up to six exceptionally well-qualified high school seniors who plan to pursue careers in medicine are accepted to the Pre-Professional Scholars Program (PPSP) in Medicine. These PPSP students receive a conditional commitment of admission to the University Program of the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (SOM) to be honored upon successful completion of a bachelor’s degree and the successful achievement of academic, personal, and professional requirements that are defined in a formal Conditions of Acceptance agreement letter. The PPSP in Medicine requires four years of successful undergraduate study leading to a 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 under four years must use the remaining time between receipt of the bachelor’s degree and matriculation to the School of Medicine engaged in experiences that enhance their professional and personal development. Gap years are welcomed between the culmination of the bachelor’s degree and matriculation into the SOM, with the approval of the Medical Student Admissions Committee. 

Pre-Professional Scholars in Medicine are free to pursue any degree or major offered by the university. However, to secure their reserved seat in the School of Medicine, they must meet the following criteria:

• Successful completion of the required coursework listed in the Conditions of Admission agreement signed upon program acceptance. 
• Achievement of the following academic metrics:
  • A CWRU cumulative GPA of 3.65 and a cumulative American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) GPA and AMCAS Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math(BCPM) GPA of 3.65 at the time of application and on final graduation transcripts. 
  • A required cumulative MCAT score of 511 or higher, with all subsection scores above 124.
  • Fulfillment of the professional and extracurricular expectations as outlined in the Condition of Admission agreement, including medical and patient-based experiences. 

Progress is reviewed with each student at regular intervals during the program.  At the end of the third year, Pre-Professional Scholars in Medicine who have fulfilled the requisite performance standards will go through the formal application process to the University Program of the School of Medicine. This process includes submitting an application through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) and participating in interviews. Application and interview performance are expected to be equivalent to those of traditional applicants.  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 or the Medical Scientist Training Program of the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine must complete a separate application and will be considered as traditional applicants for those programs.

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.