CSUF Linkage with LECOM School of Dental Program

LECOM recognizes that dentists have become integral team players in improving the health of their patients. The role they play in preventive medicine complements the osteopathic principals of total healthcare as taught by the College of Osteopathic Medicine and the School of Pharmacy. The mission of the LECOM School of Dental Medicine is to prepare students to become dentists through programs of excellence in education, research, clinical care, and community service to enhance the quality of life through improved health for all humanity.

LECOM offers the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree through a full-time, four-year pathway at the Bradenton campus. The dental school leadership team has created a unique curriculum that is both innovative and patient-centered. Students follow a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) curriculum that emphasizes self-directed study with a team approach. The curriculum consists of two years of basic science and pre-clinical instruction delivered through Problem-Based Learning (PBL) sessions, as well as lectures, laboratories and introduction to clinical experiences. Years three and four offer primarily hands-on, clinical experiences.

LECOM has developed special Early Acceptance Programs (linkages) with California State University, Fullerton that grant qualified students a provisional early acceptance to LECOM’s School of Pharmacy, School of Dental Medicine or College of Osteopathic Medicine at two LECOM campuses:

  1. The Erie, Pennsylvania
  2. Bradenton, Florida

For high school students, a application to the EAP is separate from the application to the undergraduate school. The EAP is also available to current CSUF first year and second year undergraduate students.  This program is not available to anyone with a bachelor's degree or higher. Students may apply to enroll in the EAP by going to the Affiliated Undergraduate College Inquiry website.Opens in new window

LECOM will review the application and, if the student meets the requirements, LECOM will offer the student a list of EAP interview dates to self-schedule an interview. Following a successful interview, LECOM will notify the student that they qualify for a provisional letter of acceptance from LECOM and will be enrolled in the EAP after a student successfully matriculates to CSUF.  To provide evidence of successful matriculation, LECOM requires students to submit their school email address.  The student and the affiliated school will then be sent the provisional letter of acceptance.

Additional requirements, including a final application to LECOM, must be met for final acceptance to LECOM, but another interview is not required. The specific criteria for final acceptance into the programs will vary from school to school, but the general requirements are listed below:

  • High school students: SAT Score (Math and Verbal Reasoning) greater than or equal to 1170 on a single exam or an ACT score greater than or equal to 26, and an un-weighted high school GPA of 3.5 or higher.
  • Current CSUF students: Students already attending the affiliate institution must have at least a cumulative overall GPA of 3.4 and at least a cumulative science GPA of 3.2.  Undergraduates are eligible to apply after completing two semesters of General Chemistry and General Biology and one semester of calculus. Students can apply to only one campus. Students already matriculated to CSUF should complete the LECOM on-line enroollment form before February 1st of thier second year of study at CSUF. 

For more information go to lecom.eduOpens in new window and search for: AFFILIATE

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