This program, which began in 1963, is a cooperative effort between Penn State and the College of Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Students can earn both the B.S. and M.D. degrees in six or seven calendar years after graduation from high school. They will spend the first two or three years on the University Park campus of Penn State and then proceed to Jefferson Medical College for their regular four-year curriculum. The Penn State B.S. degree is awarded after successful completion of year two at Jefferson Medical College, and the M.D. degree is awarded after successful completion of year four at Jefferson Medical College.

This does not replace the regular premedical program at Penn State. Students may still complete four years of study at the University and earn the bachelor's degree before starting medical school. Under certain conditions, students completing three years of the premedical program and one year at any accredited medical college also may be eligible for the B.S. degree from the University.

Admission Requirements

Students entering the cooperative program will be confronted with a rigorous academic program. Therefore, applicants with the following credentials will be considered for the initial applicant review process for admission to the Accelerated Premedical-Medical Program:

(a) a total score of 1450 or higher on the SAT (critical reading and math only) or 32 or higher on the ACT, from a single test date no later than October of the student's senior year in high school

(b) a rank in the highest tenth of their high school class.

(c) Secondary school units must include:

1. four units of English
2. one and one-half units of algebra
3. one unit of plane geometry
4. one-half unit of trigonometry
5. three units of science
6. and five units from social studies, humanities, and/or the arts.

(d) Students who have already graduated from high school are not eligible for this program.

(e) Complete application information must be received by Penn State no later than November 30 of the student's senior year in high school.

(f) Complete Credentials to support the application include the following:

• Official secondary school record showing grades received for all courses completed starting with ninth grade
• Class rank at the end of the junior year (exact rank is preferred)
• A schedule of senior courses
• Official SAT or ACT test scores directly from the testing agency
• A one-page resume listing the applicant's most meaningful accomplishments and extracurricular activities during the high school years
• One letter of evaluation from the applicant's guidance counselor or high school teacher
• Required application fee
  

Admission decisions are made by the Penn State Undergraduate Admissions Office and the Penn State-Jefferson Joint Admissions Committee. Decisions are arrived at by means of a three-part review process. First, applicants must meet the criteria listed above for inclusion in the initial application review. Then, from the initial application review, a limited number of top candidates are selected to continue in the process. These finalists will be invited for an interview at Jefferson Medical College during January-March. Accepted applicants are given an opportunity to spend a day at Penn State in April with current students in the program. About 25-30 students enter the program each year. Students selected for the class begin studies at the University Park Campus in the summer or fall session, depending on whether they chose the six or seven year option.

Academic Performance

Students in the accelerated program take essentially the same courses as, and have similar schedules to, premedical students in a traditional four-year program. They also are expected to perform at an A/B level in all courses, much as four-year students are expected to do if they hope to gain admission to medical school. Satisfactory performance on MCAT exams also is required for matriculation to Jefferson Medical College. If students in the accelerated program are not performing at a 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) level, particularly in the sciences, they could be asked to withdraw from the program. Typically, such a student would be eligible to remain at Penn State in another program of study.

For More Information

For more information on applying to the program, contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Shields Building, University Park, PA 16802-1294.

For more information about premedicine at Penn State, contact Dr. Robert B. Mitchell, Premedicine Faculty Contact, Eberly College of Science, The Pennsylvania State University, 213 Whitmore Laboratory, University Park, PA 16802-6101; (814) 865-7620.

The Accelerated Premedical-Medical Program is offered by Penn State's Eberly College of Science in cooperation with Jefferson Medical College.

Please note: The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. Please consult the most recent Degree Programs Bulletin for more detailed information.