Pre-Professional Programs
Pre-Professional Programs
Pre-Professional Programs
Pre-Professional Preparation
The University of Guam offers all courses that are required to attend post-graduate medical, optometry, dental, veterinary, and pharmacy schools, and these courses are as rigorous as courses in other accredited institutions. However, the University of Guam does not offer a “pre-medical major,” etc. because most medical, optometry, dental, veterinary, and pharmacy schools prefer to consider candidates who have completed a subject area major. Therefore, those who plan to continue their studies in one of these areas should choose a subject area major. In addition, they should schedule:
- mathematics through Calculus
- one year of college or university physics
- one year of general biology, and
- two years of chemistry (through organic chemistry).
Courses such as quantitative analysis, biochemistry, cell physiology, genetics, and comparative anatomy are often recommended if scheduling permits.
Often, pre-professional students will choose to major in the sciences, but this is not necessary so long as the required courses are taken.
Prospective pre-professional students should realize that national examinations (the Medical College Aptitude Test, MCAT; the Optometry Admission Test, OAT; the Dental Aptitude Test, DAT; Pharmacy College Admission Test, PCAT; Graduate Record Examination, GRE) may be required. If these exams are required, it is recommended that students complete them during the second semester of your junior year. Required courses should be completed or in progress before these exams are scheduled in order to assure adequate scores.
Pre-Medical
Students planning to apply to medical school after UOG should declare "pre-medical" along with their selected major for advisement purposes. Pre-medical students are advised to enter the Bio-Medical Track of the Biology Program, although students can select other majors as well so long as the required courses are taken. Pre-medical students are also advised to get involved with the UOG Pre-Medical Chapter of the American Medical Student Association.
Pre-Dental
Students planning to apply to dental school after UOG should declare "pre-dental" along with their selected major for advisement purposes. Pre-dental students are advised to enter the Bio-Medical Track of the Biology Program, although they can select other majors as well so long as the required courses are take. Pre-dental students are also advised to get involved with the UOG Predental Student Association.
Pre-Pharmacy
Students planning to apply to pharmacy school after UOG should declare "pre-pharmacy" along with their selected major for advisement purposes. Pre-pharmacy students are advised to enter the Pre-Pharmacy Track of the Chemistry Program or the Bio-Medical Track of the Biology Program, although they can select other majors as well so long as the required courses are taken. A bachelor's is not required for entry into a Pharm.D. program.; however, only the most exceptional students are accepted these days without a bachelor's.
The University of Guam has an articulation agreement with the Doctor of Pharmacy Program at the University of Hawai'i at Hilo, and all UOG courses meet the prerequisite admissions requirements for the UH Hilo program.
For additional information, contact CNAS advisor Katrina Quinata at quinatak@triton.uog.edu.
Pre-Optometry
Pre-optometry students can declare any major so long as the required courses are taken. Students should declare "pre-optometry" along with their selected major for advisement purposes.
For additional information, contact CNAS advisor Katrina Quinata at quinatak@triton.uog.edu.
Pre-Veterinary
Students planning to apply to veterinary medicine school after UOG should declare "pre-veterinary" along with their selected major for advisement purposes. Pre-veterinary students are advised to enter the Bio-Medical Track of the Biology Program but can select other majors as well so long as the required courses are taken.
Course requirements differ among veterinary colleges. There are common requirements, but some schools may require courses that are not required for UOG's degree program. For example, some veterinary schools require a full year of physics with labs, whereas others may require only a single semester of physics. Some schools only require a semester of organic chemistry, where others require a full year. All veterinary schools require a year of inorganic chemistry (with labs). It is important that students take all the required courses for the veterinary schools they plan to apply to while also meeting the course requirements for their UOG degree program.
For additional information, contact CNAS advisor Katrina Quinata at quinatak@triton.uog.edu.
All students who plan to go to medical, optometry, dental, pharmacy, and veterinary schools are encouraged to seek advisement from CNAS advisor Katrina Quinata, regardless of their subject area. Inquiries from high school students and other Guam residents are welcomed.
Quinata Marie G. Katrina
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