Biology Preprofessional Preparation Program

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If you are interested in dental, medical, optometry or veterinary school, the Preprofessional Program will provide excellent preparation.

To qualify for admission to dental, medical, optometry or veterinary school, you must present a strong liberal arts background, show competency in writing, competency in your chosen academic major and demonstrate some knowledge of work in the laboratory sciences. 

Although neither a specific major nor a specific program of study is required for application to these preprofessional programs, a biology or chemistry major will provide an excellent foundation. In addition, most schools will require the results of your performance on standardized tests of verbal and quantitative analytical abilities, knowledge in certain content areas and analytical and critical thinking. 

Beginning in your freshman year, consult with your preprofessional advisor concerning a plan of study and application procedures to a professional school. Since individual schools have specific course requirements, it is essential to consult with your advisor early in the program of study. 

You should also supplement your major with the following courses: BIOL 111, BIOL 112, CHEM 103, CHEM 104, CHEM 205, CHEM 206, CHEM 310, PHYS 101, PHYS 102, and two or three courses in advanced biology, chosen in consultation with your advisor. If you are interested in premed, you should also take PSYC 110 and SOC 200 in preparation for the MCAT. It is strongly recommended that you take mathematics sequences through calculus as well as intermediate or advanced courses in a foreign language.

Each year, our faculty members are able to nominate several students who are Rhode Island residents as candidates for the Early Identification Program at Brown University’s Alpert Medical School. Students who are accepted into this competitive program and who successfully complete their undergraduate coursework at Rhode Island College can be accepted into Brown’s medical school upon graduation. Complete details are available from the premedical advisor.