Bulletin 2007-2008 - Austin College

Health Sciences ( Pre-Medicine, Pre- Dentistry, Pre-Allied Health): Austin College hasa long history of excellence in preparing students for entry into a variety of healthscience programs throughout the United States. The program focuses on providingstudents with a solid background in the sciences, while placing this background inthe context of a broad liberal arts education. Students also are strongly encouragedto gain field experiences through internships or volunteer work so they can applytheir education in a health care setting. Students may select a major in any discipline;however, they must also complete certain courses that are required for entry intothe specific professional school. The director of health sciences can provide informationabout prerequisites for specific programs. Students are encouraged to seeka major that is of genuine interest to them. The overall strength of the program liesin the development of the whole person: a student’s intellect, experiences, and socialvalues.Austin College has established several January term programs that serve to enrichthe health sciences area. In one program, four pre-medical students who have goodconversational skills in Spanish spend the January term working and observing ina medical clinic in Piste, Yucatan, Mexico. Students also may complete a CareerStudy Off-Campus program (CSOC) during either the January term or summer term.Special CSOC’s in January include community-based health education internshipsin Cameron Park (through UTMB Galveston), Scottish Rite Hospital for Children inDallas, and the UT Health Center at Tyler. The Wright Health Sciences Programprovides some financial support for summer internships for students who are interestedin pursuing a career in the allied health sciences.Austin College and Texas Tech School of Medicine (TTSOM) have established an earlydecision/acceptance program. Outstanding Texas residents who choose to attendAustin College and TTSOM may be interested in this special program. Students whoenter Austin College with an SAT of 1300 (verbal + math) or ACT of 29 and whothen maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.7 and a science grade pointaverage of 3.6 during the first one and one-half years at the college are eligible tobe considered for the program. The student will then receive an interview at themedical school in the fall of the sophomore year. If accepted into TTSOM, the studentwill not need to take the MCAT, but must maintain a cumulative grade point averageof 3.7 and science grade point average of 3.6 through the junior year in additionto completing the Bachelor of Arts degree from Austin College. All courses mustbe completed at Austin College. The student will enter TTSOM in the fall followinggraduation from Austin College.Although most Austin College students matriculate into medical or dental schoolfollowing completion of the bachelor of arts degree (normal program or Texas Techprogram), it is possible to be accepted into medical or dental school after threeyears of college work. If an Austin College student is accepted into a professionalprogram after three years, the Bachelor of Arts degree from Austin College may beawarded after successful completion of the first year of professional school, providedthat a minimum of 25 courses has been completed and all college requirements forgraduation are met excluding the major. Details concerning this opportunity can beobtained from the director of health sciences or the registrar.Pre-Theology: Throughout its history, Austin College has played a vital role in theeducation of students preparing for professions in theology. The Department of62 | ACADEMIC PROGRAM