Pre-Med Scholars Program
The Pre-Med Scholars Program (PSP) invites select students interested in medicine to participate in an enriched undergraduate experience that equips you to become strong candidates for the medical, physician assistant, dental, pharmacy or veterinary school of your choice. Through a combination of intensive advising and mentoring, seminars and workshops, and structured clinical and service-learning experiences, PSP provides you with all of the opportunities needed to become a strong applicant.
The program offers:
- Eligibility for early acceptance to joint programs at Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) and Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)
- Scholarships, including the Riverside Medical Group Scholars ($2,500 or $5,000/year) and the Rocovich Scholars
- Focused, individualized advising and mentoring
- Seminars and guest speakers
- Opportunities for clinical internships, research and service-learning
There is no separate application process for pre-med scholars. Admission to the program occurs after you have enrolled at Christopher Newport. As long as you meet the SAT or ACT criteria of the program, you will automatically be admitted to pre-med scholars if you indicated your interest in medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine when filling out the academic interest forms for class registration.
Students must maintain a minimum overall and a science GPA of 3.40 to stay in the program.
Admission to the program is open to:
- Any entering freshman who is interested in a career in medicine, dentistry, physician assistant studies or veterinary medicine with a minimum SAT (math and critical reading) of 1310 or minimum ACT of 28. Only these students are eligible for the BS-MD joint program with EVMS and the BS-DO program with VCOM.
- Any entering freshman identified as a Rocovich Scholar with a minimum SAT (math and critical reading) of 1170 or minimum ACT of 26, who is interested in a career in medicine. These students are also eligible for the BS-DO program with VCOM.
- CNU students with 30-60 credit hours (you must have completed CHEM 121/121L and 122/122L), an overall and science GPA of at least 3.5, and an interest in applying to medical, dental, pharmacy, physician assistant or veterinary school. You must complete CHEM 321/321L by the end of your third semester.
Scholarships
Riverside Medical Group Scholars are mentored by Riverside Health physicians, have access to clinical experiences and selective medical education activities, and are offered a paid internship with Riverside Health between sophomore and junior year.
Eligibility requirements
Two $2,500 scholarships are awarded to incoming freshmen interested in pursuing a medical degree. To qualify, admitted students must have:
- At least a SAT score of 1310 OR a composite ACT score of 28
- A high school GPA of at least 3.7
As an upperclassman RMG Scholar, you'll receive a $5,000 scholarship, provided you maintain a 3.7 GPA during your freshman year.
How to apply
Qualified applicants who select pre-med as their intended field of study on the Common Application will be invited to submit an additional essay about their interest in studying medicine.
Rocovich Scholars are selected from incoming freshmen involved in the President's Leadership Program (PLP) who have an interest in medicine and meet one of the following criteria:
- A rural area of Virginia or the surrounding Appalachian region
- An underrepresented population
- Low-income family
Rocovich Scholars participate in both PLP and PSP and can receive scholarships up to $10,000. Qualified Rocovich Scholars are eligible to apply for early provisional admission to VCOM the spring of sophomore year, and if admitted, you are not required to take the MCAT.
Eligibility requirements
- One of three criteria listed above
- Minimum score of 1100 on the old SAT 1170 OR a composite ACT score of 24
- Minimum high-school GPA of 3.5
How to apply
When completing the Common Application, select pre-med as your pre-professional academic track and "Yes" for PLP interest in the Academics section. You will then be prompted to submit the supplemental essay and schedule a required interview.
Joint Programs
Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) and Christopher Newport have entered into an agreement whereby CNU applicants who meet certain criteria and are recommended by the director and the Council for Health Professions Preparation have the opportunity to apply for non-binding early acceptance into EVMS' medical program. These students are guaranteed admission after they graduate from Christopher Newport, as long as they meet all academic requirements and score at minimum of 503 on the MCAT.
CNU and the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) have formed three agreements in which selected pre-med students may receive provisional early acceptance (Rocovich Scholars and VCOM Scholars) or a guaranteed early interview (for rising seniors in PSP) with VCOM.
Rocovich Scholars and VCOM Scholars are guaranteed admission after they graduate from CNU, as long as they meet all academic requirements of the agreement. Some accepted students will not be required to take an MCAT, dependent on GPA.
EVMS and Christopher Newport have also entered into an agreement whereby CNU applicants who meet certain criteria and are recommended by the director and the Council for Health Professions Preparation, have the opportunity to apply for binding early acceptance into EVMS' Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program.
These students are guaranteed admission after they graduate from Christopher Newport, as long as they meet all academic and patient care experience requirements of the program.