Pre-Professional Advising

CPP-WesternU/COMP-DO Linkage Programs

 

CPP-WesternU/COMP-Linkage Program: This linkage program is designed for premedical track students at CPP who wish to matriculate as candidates for the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (D.O.) at WesternU/COMP.

 

Who qualifies to apply to the Linkage Program?

CPP Students interested in applying for the Linkage program must fulfill the following criteria:

I. Have completed at least 90 quarter or 60 semester units but no more than 135 quarter or 90 semester units (including both CPP units and non-CPP transfer credits);

II. Must be on track to receive a baccalaureate (BS, not BA) degree in a biological or physical sciences major (Chemistry, Biochemistry, Geology and Physics) from CPP;

III. Are in the process of completing the required prerequisite premedical courses listed below:

Regardless of specified major, all students must demonstrate successful completion of a “C” or better in the following courses prior to matriculation at WesternU/COMP:

  1. Completion of 8 semester units or equivalent in biology (BIO 1210/L & BIO 1220/L)
  2. Completion of 8 semester units or equivalent in physics (PHY 1210/L & PHY 1220/L)
  3. Completion of 8 semester units or equivalent in general chemistry (CHM 1210/L & CHM 1220/L)
  4. Completion of 8 semester units or equivalent in organic chemistry (CHM 3140/L & CHM 3150/L)
  5. Completion of 6 semester units or equivalent in English (ENG 1101 or ENG 1103 & ENG 2105)
  6. Completion of 6 semester units or equivalent in behavioral sciences (Psychology/Sociology/Anthropology)
  7. Completion of all accompanying sciences laboratory courses 
  8. While not required, one semester or equivalent in biochemistry, physiology and genetics is recommended

 

How to apply to the Linkage Program?

Interested CPP students who meet the above criteria are encouraged to submit a pre-screening application at the  Pre-Application for CPP-WesternU/COMP-DO Linkage Program  form  (active April 1st - May 1st) . 

Students will be selected based on their submitted pre-screening applications and will be invited by an email from the Pre-professional advisor to submit an official Linkage application. The complete linkage program application include the following items, which must be emailed to complinkage@westernu.edu.

 I. A copy of resume;

II. Two letters of recommendation from Science or Math faculty at CPP;

III. Official or unofficial transcripts from ALL institutions of higher education the aplicant has attended.

* The WesternU/COMP Admissions Linkage Committee will evaluate each prospective applicant and invite selected applicants to interview at WesternU, where a decision to accept the student into the Linkage will be made. WesternU/COMP reserves the right to reject any candidate to the program regardless of whether it has granted or conducted a personal interview with the candidate.

* Interviewed candidates will be notified regarding the acceptance decision by the committee within four (4) to six (6) weeks following their interview, with the expectation that the candidate has provided and completed all essential elements and documents required for the admissions process.

What happens after being accepted into the Linkage Program?

When a student accepts admission to the CPP-WesternU/COMP Linkage, they must commit to and/or meet the following requirements for final admission to WesternU/COMP:

1) Each Linkage program student is responsible for sending grade reports each semester (copy of unofficial transcript) to the WesternU/COMP Admissions Linkage Committee by emailing to   complinkage@westernu.edu.

2) Students must be qualified to receive their baccalaureate (BS, not BA) degree in a biological or physical sciences major from CPP prior to matriculation to WesternU/COMP;

3) Regardless of specified major, all students must demonstrate successful completion of a “C” or better in the following courses prior to matriculation at WesternU/COMP:

  1. Completion of 8 semester units or equivalent in biology (BIO 1210/L & BIO 1220/L)
  2. Completion of 8 semester units or equivalent in physics (PHY 1210/L & PHY 1220/L)
  3. Completion of 8 semester units or equivalent in general chemistry (CHM 1210/L & CHM 1220/L)
  4. Completion of 8 semester units or equivalent in organic chemistry (CHM 3140/L & CHM 3150/L)
  5. Completion of 6 semester units or equivalent in English (ENG 1101 or ENG 1103 & ENG 2105)
  6. Completion of 6 semester units or equivalent in behavioral sciences (Psychology/Sociology/Anthropology)
  7. Completion of all accompanying sciences laboratory courses 
  8. While not required, one semester or equivalent in biochemistry, physiology and genetics is recommended

4) Linkage students must meet the following criteria for final admission to WesternU/COMP:

  1. Completion of their undergraduate course work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.30 and a 3.30 or above in science coursework. Grades from all institutions attended must be included.

  1. A total of 497 or better on the The MCAT must be taken no later than January 31stof the year the candidate is specified to matriculate to WesternU/COMP

  2. Supportive letters of reference from the Director of Pre-Health Advising, one additional science faculty member and one physician (DO or MD: DO preferred).

  3. Submission of a completed AACOMAS primary application no later than January 31stof the year of specified matriculation at WesternU/COMP, submission of secondary application materials as required by the WesternU Office of

  4. Evidence of suitability for the health care professions, as indicated by (1) a disciplinary record entirely free of felony convictions or a proven violation of a standard of student conduct as defined by section 41301 of Title V, (2) 50 hours of shadowing a physician (preferably a DO physician), (3) 50 hours of community service, and (4) a successful interview at WesternU/COMP (matriculation interview - not the same as the linkage admission interview mentioned above).

5) The WesternU/COMP Admissions Linkage Committee will make final acceptance decisions after the WesternU/COMP Office of Admissions has received the student’s MCAT Upon receipt of acceptance, candidates have two weeks in which to notify the WesternU/COMP Office of Admissions of intent to enroll.