Westminster College Sophomores Gain New Opportunity for Early Acceptance to Medical School

Pre-med undergraduate students at Westminster College in Fulton, MO may now gain a fast track into acceptance to medical school. Westminster sophomores now have the opportunity to gain early acceptance into medical school under a new agreement signed between Westminster and A.T. Still University’s (ATSU) Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM). With campuses in Fulton, MO and Mesa, AZ, Westminster is recognized by Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review and more as among the nation’s top liberal arts colleges.

“Westminster students who have completed three semesters of academic work can apply during their fourth semester and if they are accepted, they will have a reserved seat in the entering class once they graduate from Westminster at the medical school in Kirksville,” says Dr. Mike Amspoker, Professor of Biology and Cameron Day Chair at Westminster.

Junior Taylor Allen talks about why the osteopathic program in Kirksville is right for him:

Applicants must have at least a 3.40 grade point average (GPA)  overall and a 3.40 GPA in the sciences.  They may have enrolled in any major.  Three letters of evaluation from a physician, a student or community organization advisor and a science faculty member or academic advisor must accompany the application.

They must have submitted their application and official transcripts by a specified date and have demonstrated a commitment to osteopathic medicine, been involved in extra-curricular activities and have had clinical exposure in a healthcare environment.  Then the applicants will be interviewed during the summer after their sophomore year.

The selection committee will rank top student applicants based on fulfillment of academic and course requirements, commitment to osteopathic medicine, community service and leadership positions held and a successful interview.

Students that are selected will be awarded reserved admission to ATSU-KCOM at the beginning of their junior year.

Hear junior Kyle Klahs, recently accepted into the ATSU-KCOM program, talk about how Westminster helped prepare him for the med school application process:

After acceptance to the program, they can spend the last two years at Westminster, meeting graduation major and minor requirements, taking electives, fulfilling internship and service opportunities and broadening their life experiences.

They will have opportunities for participating in the Still Scholars Book/Article Review Online Forum, shadowing, an alumni ambassador shadowing experience and viewing professional webinars.

Once they have completed their final two years at Westminster and graduated, they will participate in an interview for full medical school acceptance during a pre-matriculation review.  The acceptance may be withdrawn if a candidate applies to another medical or osteopathic school, fails to follow participation criteria or makes a professional career change.

Taylor’s Westminster experiences, including the unique undergraduate cadaver lab, gave him a leg up in his preparation for med school:

Founded in 1892,the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine was the first institution of osteopathic education in the world. The College is consistently ranked by U.S.News & World Report as one of the best medical schools in the country for rural and family/medicine.  Its physicians make up a quarter of all practicing osteopathic physicians.

Thinking about pre-med?  Learn more about health professions at Westminster and the difference between a DO vs. an MD.