Prehealth Programs

Challenged to grow intellectually, personally, emotionally, and spiritually, Baylor premedical and predental students are nurtured in a caring environment. Scientific competency is ensured through rigorous standards in the basic sciences and mathematics. Enhanced communication skills are promoted in formal coursework in English, foreign languages, and speech as well as through discussions and written reports in other classes. Critical thinking skills are demanded in history and social science courses. Aesthetics are nurtured through coursework in the fine arts. The development of high ethical and moral standards is encouraged. Leadership skills are fostered through active involvement in Alpha Epsilon Delta, the national premedical/predental honor society; American Student Dental Association, the Minority Association of Prehealth Students, and organizations for Preveterinary, Preoptometry, and Prephysician Assistant students.

Opportunities for gaining healthcare experience and for developing a further sense of compassion for others abound in Waco: three major hospitals, additional clinics, clinical laboratories in both medicine and dentistry, a full range of dental, medical, optometry, and veterinary practices; ten nursing homes, and numerous social service agencies which welcome volunteer assistance in meeting the demands for their services.

For many years the medical and dental schools have encouraged students to pursue majors and degrees which best suited their personal interests and aptitudes. In addition to the math/science requirements for the DAT/GRE/MCAT/OAT/PCAT preparation and professional school admission, a broad liberal arts training is consistently recommended. Thus, ANY major is acceptable, and students should feel free to exercise the opportunity for diversification. An increasing number of students are exercising a preference for the Bachelor of Arts Degree.