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Premed Pre-Law Graduate School
Premed at UMass Boston
Premed at
UMass Boston
 

 
The Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Certificate

Thank you for your interest in UMass Boston's Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Certificate Program. We use the term premedical to include dentistry, veterinary medicine, and optometry but we provide services for students planning careers in other allied health professions as well. This is an undergraduate certificate since the courses you take to complete it are undergraduate courses.

UMass Boston provides a full range of services and support systems to help you. The range is from information on the appropriateness of entrance into this program, an initial evaluation of previous coursework, how long the program may take you to complete, advising on course selections at UMass Boston, planning the medical school application process, and support and assistance in using our premedical committee to obtain a premedical committee composite recommendation.

We have a strong and successful applicant pool. The program provides a congenial and supportive environment as classmates get to know each other in the classroom and the laboratories. You will find strong faculty and advising support and encouragement as you move forward.


I look forward to answering any questions you may have and welcome you to our program.

Grace J. McSorley
Premedical Advisor
grace.mcsorley@umb.edu
617-287-5500

NOTE:
Check out healthcare related jobs and internship opportunities at Career Services Online.

Post-bac Premed Certificate Information Sessions:
Advance registration is not necessary. Please call 617-287-5500 the day of the event to confirm.
All Information Sessions will be at 5:00pm. Check in at the University Advising Center Reception Desk (CC-1-1100).

  • April 2
  • April 9

Admission

Admission to this program is on a selective basis, and students' prior records will be evaluated in the light of the requirements for the program. Applicants may be required to submit additional information or other materials about themselves.

  1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  2. A completed application form
  3. Official transcripts from all institutions where degrees have been awarded.
  4. One letter of recommendation from a faculty member (either from a previous university or from UMass Boston, if you have taken coursework here) who will support the applicant's ability to succeed in premedical coursework.
  5. An autobiography of from 500-1000 words.
  6. $60 non-refundable application fee

The Application Process

Applications can be downloaded from this site. Phone 617-287-5500 for additional information. We encourage telephone appointments to provide more detailed information about the program.

The application, with appropriate signature(s), must be returned to Grace McSorley, Premedical Advisor, Campus Center 1100 by April 15, 2008 for Fall 2008 admission. There is a $60 non-refundable application fee.

**UMass Boston Post-bac premed certificate students are now eligible to apply for financial aid. The certificate has been approved by the Massachusetts Board of Education and the U.S. Department of Education to allow us to offer this option.

Course Requirements:

Students must take six of the following courses here at UMass Boston.

Biology: Bio 111 and 112 (General Biology I & II)
Chemistry: Chem 115 and 116 (Chemical Principles I & II)
Chem 117 and 118 (Chemical Principles Laboratory)
Chem 253 and 254 (Organic Chemistry I & II)
Physics: Phys 107 and 108 (College Physics I & II, non-calculus based physics)
or
Phys 113 and 114 (Fundamentals of Physics, calculus based physics)
Physics 181 and 182 (Physics Laboratory)
NB Physics 181 and 182 are part of the premedical sequence but may not be counted towards the six courses required for the certificate.
Mathematics: Math 130 (Precalculus), and Math 140 (Calculus I)

Other Requirements

  1. The student must receive a grade of "B" or better in each course counted towards the six required for the certificate.
  2. The student must consult at least once each semester with the University's Premedical Advisor as part of the ongoing planning process for applying to medical school or other health related programs.
Download supplemental documents by clicking below, or pick up copies in Career Services (CC-1-1100).

Click here to Download - Post-Baccalaureate Premed Application Form

Click here to Download - Medical School, Dental School, Veterinary School, Allied Health Professions Booklet

Click here to Download - Premed Committee Registration Form

Click here to Download - Premed Committee Requirements

Some FAQs
How long will it take me to complete my premed requirements?
The amount of time it will take you to complete the premed requirements is entirely dependent on your previous coursework and your ability to do science and math coursework.
What do I need to be admitted to medical school?
You must have completed the premedical coursework with honors level grades and receive above average MCAT scores. Even with this background you are still not assured of admission.
What support services are available to me as a premed student at UMass Boston?
The Premedical Advisor will work with you in planning your pre-med coursework, advise you on timing for admission, arrange for your interview with the campus Premedical Committee, and send your recommendations packet when required. Materials on medical schools and other allied health professions are available in the Career Resource Library (CC-1-1112). Other support services for applicants are available as needed.

Pre-Law at UMass Boston
Background No specific major is required or expected for pre-law studies, however you are advised to have a strong background in the liberal arts.  It is a good idea to plan a program that includes courses in the social sciences, literature, writing, philosophy, mathematics and economics.  Specific courses in accounting or statistics may prove very useful.  Admission committees want to see candidates who are educationally well-rounded.
How To UMass Boston students considering a pre-law program are encouraged to make an appointment with the Pre-Law Advisor in Career Services by calling 617-287-5519.  The Pre-Law Advisor can assist you in deciding which courses best apply to your pre-law program, and will continue to work with you throughout the process of applying to law school. Career Services publishes a Guide for Students Considering Law School that students can pick up in Career Services (Campus Center-1-1100), or download by clicking above.
Timeline
A Suggested Timetable for those Applying to Law School

June LSAT offered
It is recommended that those planning to apply in September for admission the following September take the test in June when preparation is complete
Late Summer
Begin to order law school catalogues and application forms
Early September
Those who have not taken the LSAT should register for the October test
September
Consultation with the Pre-Law Advisor in Career Services
Collection of law school recommendations
Early October
LSAT is given
Mid-October
Visit law schools in the Boston area
Late October/Early November
Plan to attend the Law School Forum
Early December
Last opportunity to take the LSAT
February/March
Application deadlines for most schools
March/April
Law schools begin to notify students of admissions deadlines

Graduate School
Contemplating
Graduate Study		 If you are considering graduate study for any profession, a Career Counselor can assist you.  Call 617-287-5519 to arrange for an appointment, and visit the Career Resource Library to review materials which will help you in the decision making and graduate school application process.

Career Services has application and informational bulletins for the GRE, MAT, GMAT, LSAT, AHPAT, MCAT, PRAXIS, TOEFL, and TSE.
Information is available online for the GRE, PRAXIS, TOEFL, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, and DAT.
Credentials For UMass Boston students and graduates applying to graduate programs, Career Services offers a Credentials File Service.  You can have recommendation letters kept on file and sent to designated graduate programs at your written request.  To take advantage of the Credentials File Service, drop by the Career Services Office (Campus Center-1-1100) and ask for the Credentials File Registration form.
Last Update 6/30/08