Students with a clear vision of their future career, particularly in health care, can often set their dreams in motion during their undergraduate years.
The key is identifying and gaining acceptance into a direct-entry or accelerated program in their chosen field of study. Such programs allow students to move from undergraduate coursework directly into an advanced degree program with minimal additional requirements. Some programs waive entrance exams such as the Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT, and the Law School Admission Test, or LSAT, which are typically required for admission to medical or law school. Other programs shorten the time needed to earn a degree by allowing a student’s final year of undergraduate study to count as the first year of an advanced degree program.
Direct-entry and accelerated physician assistant programs are available at several colleges and universities in New Jersey and neighboring states, including Seton Hall, Drexel, Duquesne, DeSales, Thomas Jefferson, King’s, Hofstra and Quinnipiac. Students enrolled in one of these programs can become physician assistants and enter the workforce within five to six years of graduating from high school. These programs report Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam, or PANCE, pass rates ranging from 91% to 99%.
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Students interested in becoming physicians may want to consider Rutgers University’s accelerated seven-year BS/MD program. Applicants must have a minimum SAT score of 1400 or an ACT composite score of at least 32 and rank in the top 10% of their graduating class. Once admitted, students must maintain at least a 3.5 GPA each semester and earn a B or higher in all required pre-medical courses.
Rowan University also offers a seven-year accelerated program through its partnership with Cooper Medical School of Rowan University.
Drexel University offers an eight-year BS/MD direct-entry program with the Drexel University College of Medicine, while Seton Hall University has an eight-year joint BS/MD program with the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.
Direct-entry programs also are available for students interested in careers in physical therapy and occupational therapy.
For students seeking careers in pharmacy, Rutgers University and St. John’s University offer six-year programs that allow students to move seamlessly from undergraduate studies into professional coursework leading to a Doctor of Pharmacy, or Pharm.D., degree.
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Students interested in a legal career may benefit from the accelerated dual-degree program offered through a partnership between The College of New Jersey and Villanova University’s Charles Widger School of Law. The highly selective program allows TCNJ students to transfer to Villanova after their junior year, saving both time and tuition costs.
In short, high school students with a clear vision of their future careers can often save time, money and stress by pursuing a direct-entry or accelerated academic program.
Susan Alaimo is the founder & director of Collegebound Review, offering PSAT/SAT preparation & private college advising by Ivy League-educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: How high school students can fast-track careers in medicine, law
