The road to medical school just became smoother for Keuka College students.
The College has formalized an agreement with the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine to establish an early acceptance program. Through the partnership, Keuka College students will be able to simultaneously enroll in LECOM’s medical programs.
“By securing early acceptance into one of LECOM’s prestigious medical tracks, Keuka College students can solidify their educational plans with one of the premier medical schools in the country,” said Keuka College President Amy Storey. “And because so many of our graduates build lives and careers in western New York, the end result will be more well-trained, highly educated medical professionals in a region where healthcare needs are underserved.”
Under the agreement, Keuka College students can apply for and enroll in one of LECOM’s medical programs while still undergraduates. LECOM offers programs leading to degrees in Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.), Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D.), and Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.).
The facilitated admissions process offers huge advantages to students, said Dr. Richard Terry, Associate Dean of Academics for LECOM, Elmira.
“When they come through our early admission program, assuming they do well academically here and meet our standards, they would have a guaranteed spot in medical school, potentially with an MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) exemption,” he said. “So, there are some real benefits.”
Under the program, students will complete a minimum of 60 credit hours at Keuka College (90 credit hours total under the 3+4 program; 120 credit hours under the 4+4 program) while maintaining the required academic performance. Field Period® internships at LECOM-affiliated medical facilities will be available as early as January of a student’s first year at Keuka College, giving them a head start on working with the medical school’s faculty.
Taking part in the signing ceremony were, seated from left, Dr. Maldonado, Dr. Terry, and President Storey, and, standing from left, Keuka College Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Chair Dr. Michael Keck, LECOM Student Affairs and Regional EAP Coordinator Angela Wood, and Keuka College Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing Pete Bekisz.
Students will then continue their medical education at LECOM, engaging in rigorous training and clinical experiences essential to their future careers as osteopathic physicians.
Throughout the program, students will receive ongoing support and counseling from representatives at both institutions.
“We work collaboratively with your science department here to make sure students are ready for the rigor of medical school,” said Dr. Terry during a visit to Keuka College on Wednesday, October 23, to finalize the partnership.
That collaborative support will not only ensure students are well-prepared to transition into medical school, it will also remove a common distraction, said Dr. Michael Keck, Chair of Keuka College’s Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and representative to the early acceptance program.
“The stress and uncertainty of the normal medical school application process is removed,” he said. “Students can spend their final years here focusing on the academic work that will prepare them for success in their professional program.”
Upon completing all requirements, students earn both their bachelor’s degree from Keuka College and their medical degree from LECOM, fast-tracking their careers in healthcare.
LECOM’s Dr. Terry seconded President Storey’s hope that the end result will be more healthcare professionals to serve rural regions of New York.
“Our focus is on recruitment for upstate New York, specifically for this area,” he said during his Keuka College visit. “Keuka College recruits a lot from Rochester and Buffalo and we’re looking to attract more students from that area to become physicians.
“Our hope is to recruit local students who will come back and do residency training in upstate New York and practice here.”
Complete information about the partnership and early acceptance program is available online.
