Linkage Agreements

Meharry Medical College - School of Medicine (MD)

Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Meharry Medical College is one of the nation's oldest and largest historically black academic health science centers.  The School of Medicine was established over 100 years ago and continues to be one of the nation's leading producers of primary care physicians.  They are known for their nurturing environment which produces physicians who are trained to provide exceptional, compassionate care with a special focus on serving the nation's underserved and most vulnerable populations.

LMU's Memorandum of Understanding with Meharry Medical College (MMC) allows for up to 5 LMU undergraduate students per year to matriculate to MMC provided that they meet the following requirements:

• Complete the prescribed 4-year curriculum at LMU with a 3.2 GPA or higher.
• Receive a 505 or higher on the MCAT, with no subscore below 125. The exam must be taken by May of junior year.
• Apply Early Decision to MMC by August 1 of senior year, and receive official notification from Meharry by October 1.  *This means that the applicant will not have a gap year.*
• Have significant health care experience at a federally qualified health center or comparable experience beginning no later than the summer following freshman year.
• Participate in mock interviews, research and shadowing opportunities as an LMU student.

LMU students who are interested in this program should set up a meeting with the Health Professions Advisor. For an appointment, email prehealth@lmu.edu or call 310-338-7704.

Osteopathic Medicine Program

Located in downtown Pomona, California, WesternU is one of the largest graduate schools for health professions in California. An early conditional acceptance into the college of osteopathic medicine is offered to students who meet the obligations of the linkage contract.

The linkage agreement is designed to attract specific types of students to WesternU/COMP:

1. LMU students that have completed at least 60 units but no more than 90 units as of June 1 are eligible to apply for the linkage program.  This is usually students that have just finished their sophomore year at LMU.
2. Applicants must be pre-medical students who are completing a biological or physical science major at LMU.
3. Applicants must also meet at least one of the following criteria:
   
   • Have a strong history of outreach and community service, ideally with underserved populations or communities.
   • Grew up in a socio-economic, educational and/or medically underserved area/family and have expressed a desire to return to practice in such communities/populations.
   • Provide other experiences, skills or knowledge that can contribute to creating a well-rounded and diverse healthcare workforce.

Linkage Expectations

• Maintain an overall GPA of 3.3 and science GPA of 3.3 until graduation from LMU.
• MCAT score must be 497 or higher.  The MCAT must be taken no later than January 31 of the year the candidate is specified to matriculate to Western.
• The AACOMAS online application must be submitted by January 31 of the year of matriculation.
• 50 hours of physician shadowing (preferably a DO), 50 hours of community service, and a successful interview at Western.

Applications for the linkage will be available in March of each year, and the deadline to apply is August 1. Contact the LMU Director of Health Professions Advising at prehealth@lmu.edu if you are interested in this program and to request an application.

Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) Program

To be eligible for the linkage program with Western's College of Optometry, LMU students:

• Need to be a sophomore or junior with a minimum of 24 completed semester units
• Be in good academic standing
• Be interested in a career in optometry
• Must meet with the LMU Director of Health Professions Advising. To schedule an appointment, email prehealth@lmu.edu

Osteopathic Medicine, Dentistry & Pharmacy Early Acceptance Programs

LECOM is a private, non-profit graduate school of medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy in Erie, Pennsylvania and a satellite branch in Bradenton, Florida. LMU has established a linkage agreement with LECOM in its schools of medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy for early acceptance.

Let the LMU Director of Health Professions Advising know if you are interested in one of these programs: prehealth@lmu.edu.

Linkage Expectations

• LMU students must apply to the LECOM program before the end of sophomore year
• Student must be a US citizen or resident
• Must not have earned a four-year undergraduate degree
• All required classes must be taken at LMU
• Students must pursue a BS in a biological or physical science at LMU
• In-person interview at one of the LECOM campuses with faculty (regional interviews in CA might be available)

Additional Expectations for Osteopathic Medicine

• Maintain an overall GPA of 3.4 and science GPA of 3.2 until graduation at LMU
• Students are exempt from the MCAT provided they attain a C or higher in Biochemistry and Genetics courses, and have an Academic Index Score of 115 or higher (see calculator)
• Physician shadowing is highly recommended
• SAT scores must be above the 50th percentile
• Complete LECOM Supplemental Application

Additional Expectations for Dental

• Maintain an overall GPA of 3.4 and science GPA of 3.2 until graduation at LMU
• DAT score of 18 or higher for Academic Average; Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Perceptual Ability, and Survey of the Natural Sciences is 17 or higher.
• Shadowing in a clinical dental setting (highly recommended)
• Complete AADSAS
• Complete LECOM Supplemental Application

Additional Expectations for Pharmacy

• Maintain an overall GPA of 3.2 and science GPA of 3.0 until graduation at LM
• PCAT is not required
• Shadowing in a pharmacy setting (highly recommended)
• Complete PharmCAS
• Complete LECOM Supplemental Application

Visit the LECOM website to apply.

The application deadline is April 1.

Keck Graduate Institute

In collaboration with the Keck Graduate Institute, we have developed a pathway to transition you from LMU to KGI's School of Applied Life Sciences. KGI offers a number of innovative programs that integrate life sciences, pharmacy, genetics, engineering, and business with a focus on industry projects, internships, and team collaborations. Programs include:

• Master of Business and Science
• Master of Engineering in Biopharmaceutical Processing
• Master of Science in Applied Life Sciences
• Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genomic Data Analytics
• Master of Science in Medical Device Engineering
• Master of Science in Translational Medicine
• Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling

As part of the pathway program, applicants receive:

• Priority consideration for scholarships
• Preference in seats for summer programs
• Expedited application review
• Application fee waiver (all of the above except Genetic Counseling)
• Standardized test score waiver for some programs
• Guaranteed interview (all of the above except Genetic Counseling)

Eligibility Requirements

• Complete all baccalaureate degree requirements at LMU
• Graduate with a cumulative GPA at or above 3.0
• Grade of C or better in each prerequisite course
• Complete 60+ hours of internship, work, shadowing, clinical, or research experience in an academic, nonprofit, corporate, or laboratory environment related to your program of study
• Complete a major at LMU that is related to your chosen field of study at KGI.

Steps to take during your undergraduate career at LMU:

1. Attend a visitation day at KGI. Check the KGI website for dates.
2. Develop a curriculum plan to ensure your eligibility with your academic advisor.
3. Submit an online application to KGI.  Work with a KGI admission counselor to complete your application.
4. Provide KGI with verification of your completed internship experience and hours.
5. Request a letter from your academic/faculty advisor to verify your eligibility, which is needed for your application.

For more information, contact admissions@kgi.edu or call 909-607-8950 to speak to a KGI admissions counselor.

Creighton University 

Sophomore LMU students are invited to apply to become a Pre-Professional Scholar with one of the following:

• Creighton University School of Medicine
• Creighton University School of Dentistry
• Creighton University School of Nursing
• Creighton University Pharmacy Program 
• Creighton University Occupational Therapy Program
• Creighton University Physical Therapy Program

Benefits of being a Pre-Professional Scholar:

• Participation in a Pre-Professionals Day at Creighton's Arizona campus, with a travel stipend provided by Creighton.
• Guaranteed interview to the school or program when it comes time to apply (assuming all pre-professional program requirements are met)
• Guaranteed acceptance to the Nursing program (if a Pre-Professional Nursing Scholar)
• Priority consideration for scholarships

Criteria to become a Pre-Professional Scholar:

• Second-year LMU undergraduate student in good standing academically
• Meaningful volunteer experiences to demonstrate a commitment to service to others
• Experiences to gain exposure to the chosen profession
• Leadership experiences in school and community
• Creighton is committed to recruiting and selecting applicants that are diverse in nature

Once selected as a Pre-Professional Scholar, LMU students must satisfy GPA, prerequisite, standardized exam, and other requirements that vary by school/program.

To learn more, reach out to the Director of Health Professions Advising at prehealth@lmu.edu.

St. George's University School of Medicine MD Program

Located in Grenada, West Indies

Their highest purpose is education and there is no better education than one that is truly international. They are committed to developing the intellectual capacity, creativity, and professionalism of their students, immersing them in the rich diversity of human experience and aspiration. 

SGU's School Spirit Grant for LMU students includes:

• $10,000 grant in addition to any scholarships the applicant might receive from SGU.
• Dedicated Admissions Officer to expedite the application and decision process.
• Admitted students receive a Dean's Invite to Grenada to see the campus - includes meals, lodging, flights, and ground transportation in Grenada. (Currently subject to COVID restrictions.)
• Personal coaching call from the Dean or Director of Admissions on how to enhance competitiveness for medical school for any applicant not accepted to SGU.
• Students who matriculate to SGU and are subsequently accepted to a US medical school in the same year will have the option of leaving SGU with tuition refunded as part of our Why Wait Opportunity.

American University of the Caribbean Medical School

Located in Sint Maartin

AUC School of Medicine believes that the complex healthcare landscape of tomorrow will require a different type of doctor — one who is globally minded and capable of working as part of a cohesive team to deliver empathetic, extraordinary care to a diverse patient population.

AUC will waive application fees and guarantee an interview to LMU pre-med students who meet their admissions criteria, including at least a 2.6 GPA (cumulative and science) and a minimum of 490 on the MCAT. Admitted students will be notified about any scholarships awarded within two weeks of acceptance.

Ross University Medical School

Located in Barbados

Ross University School of Medicine delivers an innovative and experiential medical education program in an inclusive environment of scholars that fosters professional growth and leadership for a diverse pool of students to become ethical, compassionate, patient-centric, and culturally competent physicians who advance healthcare in local and global communities.

Ross will waive application fees and guarantee an interview to LMU pre-med students who meet their admissions criteria, including at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA, a 3.0 prerequisite GPA. and a minimum of 490 on the MCAT. Admitted students will be notified about any scholarships awarded within two weeks of acceptance.

American University of Antigua College of Medicine MD Program

Located in Antigua

American University of Antigua (AUA) College of Medicine is an innovative medical school dedicated to providing a learner-centric education of the highest quality, granting opportunities to underrepresented minorities, fostering a diverse academic community, and ensuring that its graduates develop the skills and attitudes of lifelong learning, compassion, and professionalism. They also provide students who would otherwise be unable to receive a medical education with the tools to become successful physicians.

LMU students who apply to AUA shall receive:

• Guaranteed admission into AUA's MD program provided that at the time of graduation from LMU, the student has a GPA of 3.0 and otherwise has met AUA's published admission requirements.
• A waived application fee for interested LMU applicants;
• An expedited admissions timeline, including application review, interview and decision; and
• Upon acceptance, once a student commits their intent to attend, a waiver of the obligation to pay AUA a pre-registration seat deposit.

Additionally, LMU students will be eligible for a $5000 Preferred College Partner Grant from AUA.