Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Early Acceptance Program

Sacred Heart University and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) are proud to offer eligible and qualified SHU students the opportunity to apply for a seat in the LECOM Early Acceptance Program (EAP).

Students that interview, are accepted, and successfully matriculate have the opportunity to graduate from LECOM with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree, DO.

What is osteopathic medicine?

A distinct branch of medicine in the U.S., osteopathic medicine emphasizes the interrelated unity of all systems in the body, each working with the other to heal in times of illness.

Process

Application to enroll in the EAP may occur prior to matriculation at Sacred Heart; i.e., as a high school senior, or after matriculation at Sacred Heart. Application to the EAP is initiated by an inquiry through a link on the LECOM portal.

Students interviewing successfully will be offered a provisional acceptance to LECOM’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program.

EAP: Phase 1

Phase 1 consists of the years of undergraduate education while at SHU. Up to 10 students per academic year may be admitted into Phase 1. Students must have a cumulative overall GPA of 3.4 or higher and a science GPA of 3.2 or higher. LECOM will calculate and review the Cumulative Overall GPA and the Cumulative Science GPA in February and July of each year.

All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher. AP credits are accepted for the required English and Behavioral Science courses, but not for the required Science courses.

Required Prerequisite Courses

  • 6 Semester Credit Hours of English
  • 6 Semester Credit Hours of Behavioral Science
  • 4 Semester Credit Hours of Physics including a lab
  • 8 Semester Credit Hours of Biology including two labs
  • 8 Semester Credit Hours of General Chemistry including two labs
  • 8 Semester Credit Hours of Organic Chemistry including two labs
  • 3 Semester Credit Hours Biochemistry (can be used in place of second Organic Chemistry course and lab)
  • 3 Semester Credit Hours of Genetics

EAP: Phase 2

Phase II consists of the medical school education while at LECOM and its associated clinical training sites.

MCAT Exemption

Students matriculating to the LECOM College of Medicine will be exempt from the MCAT exam requirement providing:

  • They have taken at least one Biochemistry course and one Genetics course and have earned a grade of “C” or higher in each
  • The student has provided LECOM with official documentation of their SAT or ACT scores
  • The student achieves the required AIS score (contact Ellen Watts for information on your AIS score). An AIS score of 115 or higher is required for the 4+4 Track
  • A LECOM College of Medicine applicant not meeting the Academic Index Score requirement one year prior to matriculating to LECOM or not having an SAT/ACT score must take the MCAT.

General Criteria for Final Acceptance

  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Must not hold a bachelor’s degree or higher
  • Must have at least two years remaining as a full-time student at SHU
  • SAT Score greater than or equal to 1240 or an ACT Composite score greater than or equal to 26 on a single exam
  • A high school GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale

SHU Student Inquiries & Advisement

While enrolled in Phase I of the Early Acceptance Program, student inquiries should be directed to Ellen Watts, Executive Director of Pre-Health Advising. She will provide individual academic advising for all LECOM-EAP students, to ensure students are not only enrolled in the appropriate prerequisite classes, but are engaged in clinical experiences, physician shadowing, and research opportunities, to assist in their preparation for a successful transition to the medical school curriculum.

All student inquiries for information regarding Phase II application status should be directed to the LECOM EAP admissions office.