ST. LEO – Saint Leo University biology majors who want to pursue a health care career have a clear path to medical, dental, pharmacy or podiatry school thanks to a new partnership.
Saint Leo recently became an Early Acceptance Program partner of the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, the largest osteopathic college in the United States.
The nonprofit college offers doctoral programs in osteopathic medicine, dental medicine, pharmacy or podiatric medicine.
Through the partnership, Saint Leo students enrolled in the bachelor’s degree program in biology may apply to LECOM’s Early Acceptance Program before or during their junior year.
For students who have obtained specified scores on the SAT or ACT, the Early Acceptance Program waives the MCAT exam. If Saint Leo students meet the requirements, they will be granted provisional acceptance to LECOM and its College of Osteopathic Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, School of Pharmacy, or School of Podiatric Medicine.
“Early acceptance can help undergraduate students avoid some of the stress and cost of applying to medical school or other health care schools,” said Heather Parker, dean of Saint Leo’s College of Arts, Sciences, and Allied Services. “Like Saint Leo University, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine focuses on the growth of our students in mind, body and spirit.”
Osteopathic medicine takes a whole-person approach to health care and practitioners partner with their patients on their journey to health and wellness, noted Chery Kozina, associate professor of biology. She advises Saint Leo students majoring in pre-health profession.
“Several recent Saint Leo graduates are attending or have graduated from LECOM in the osteopathic medicine program,” she said, “and they go on to competitive medical residency programs. Lake Erie College of Medicine already was an attractive option for students seeking a medical school education after Saint Leo, and the Early Acceptance Program will grow this relationship even further.”
While LECOM is based in Erie, Pennsylvania, it recently opened a new campus in Bradenton, Florida, and will soon have another in Jacksonville, allowing Saint Leo students to continue their studies in the state.
Email Cheryl Kozina, associate professor of biology, For information about the Early Acceptance Program.
