Pre-Professional Programs
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:
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 math or 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.
Students planning to apply to medical school after UOG are advised to enter the Bio-Medical Track of the Biology Program and to get involved with the UOG Pre-Medical Chapter of the American Medical Student Association. Pre-medical students can select other majors as well so long as the required courses are taken. Students should declare "pre-medical" along with their selected major for advisement purposes.
Students planning to apply to dental school after UOG are advised to enter the Bio-Medical Track of the Biology Program and to get involved with the UOG Predental Student Association. Pre-dental students can select other majors as well so long as the required courses are taken. Students should declare "pre-dental" along with their selected major for advisement purposes.
The University of Guam offers a pre-pharmacy program that leads directly to entrance in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Hawaii – Hilo. Pre-pharmacy students can declare any major so long as the required courses are taken. Students should declare "pre-pharmacy" along with their selected major for advisement purposes.
For additional information, contact CNAS advisor Katrina Quinata at quinatak@triton.uog.edu.
The University of Guam participates in a special “Underserved in Sight” program with the Pacific University College of Optometry, and a special program for Pacific Island students is available. 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.
Those who are interested in veterinary medicine can complete basic science requirements at the University of Guam. However, there are very few schools of veterinary medicine and they are extremely selective. They usually require basic science in addition to agriculture courses in animal husbandry, animal nutrition, etc., and all have specific state residency requirements, which being a resident of Guam does not fulfill. Pre-veterinary students are encouraged to attend the University of Guam for two years, during which time basic science courses can be taken and appropriate catalogs studied.
Pre-veterinary students can declare any major so long as the required courses are taken. Students should declare "pre-veterinary" along with their selected major for advisement purposes.
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.
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Mangilao, Guam 96913
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The University of Guam is a U.S. Land Grant and Sea Grant Institution accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. UOG is an equal opportunity provider and employer committed to diversity, equity and inclusion through island wisdom values of inadahi yan inagofli'e: respect, compassion, and community.