The Medical Career
Students interested in serving God and the world through the medical profession typically get specialty training to become a physician through either the doctor of medicine (MD) or a doctor of osteopathy (DO) degrees. Both training methods have the same licensing priveleges.

A person interested in medicine needs to have a heart for ministry, a desire to serve their fellow man in times of great stress, and a desire to give up personal rights for the good of their fellow man. In addition, the pre-professional student must be able to stand a rigorous educational schedule both in undergraduate coursework and medical school.

Enjoyment of problem solving is a must, for the good physician is foremost a problem solver. One must also be able to delay gratification for many years, since the average time of training from undergraduate through residency is 11-13 years. The rewards, however, are many for those willing to commit to the rigors of training.

Greenville gives the student a good start in the training process, through an educational program with proven success, and a faculty that supports and cares for the development of the whole student. Greenville is uniquely equipped to prepare you for a meaningful life and success in your career. An indication of the quality of Greenville's program is that, of those premed students graduating in the past 15 years, at least a half dozen have joined other alumni who are now medical school faculty members, including one who is a founding editor of the Journal of Maternal & Fetal Medicine. Over the past fifteen years, more than 85% of those applying to medical school have been admitted and have consistently excelled in their medical studies.

The Greenville Education
Greenville College has had success preparing students for admission into medical school because of the following:

• Strong academic preparation. The college has a strong and balanced science and math division. The pre-professional student takes courses designed for majors bound for graduate school in each of the disciplines. There are no abbreviated courses simply to meet minimum professional school requirements. In the laboratory, students are expected to use major pieces of equipment often found only at much larger institutions and reserved for graduate programs.
• Supportive faculty. Faculty will take a personal interest in the student, both in and out of the classroom. Upper division classes are small, with much individual instruction. The pre-med advisor takes students to medical school seminars to learn about current admission procedures.
• Personal growth. The college strives to educate servant leaders, encouraging participation in activities that will aid the student in understanding and preparing for a lifetime in a service profession.
• A recent report of the "Council on Medical Education" encouraged medical schools to look for the broadly educated applicant. Greenville's liberal arts tradition gives that broad perspective for which medical schools are looking.

Thus, Greenville provides both context and quality in instruction, preparing the student well for medical school and life.

Medical Admission Requirements
Most pre-med students major in either biology, chemistry, or both. However, no particular major is necessary for entrance into medical school. The core of courses required are:

• 1 year of biology
• 1 year of general chemistry
• 1 year of organic chemistry
• Biochemistry recommended
• Calculus
• 1 year of physics
• General education courses that give a broad understanding of life
• Successful scores on the MCAT (medical college admission test)
• Letters of recommendation
• A strong GPA

We strongly recommend more biology; thus the biology major is a good preparation for entrance into medical school. Further courses which prove helpful are cell biology, microbiology, genetics, general physiology, and vertebrate morphogenesis. All of the courses recommended or required have successfully prepared many students in the past for medical schools all over the country.

Greenville's composite letter of recommendation is much appreciated by medical schools. The composite letter is written by professors who know the students personally and have counseled them in their health career. It is compiled by the science division and sent to each of the medical schools to which the student wishes to apply.

Greenville College BA in Biology degree with Pre-Med emphasis
In addition to the courses listed under medical admission requirements, the student will need to complete a biology major and general education requirements to graduate from Greenville College. Courses not previously listed that are required for the biology major are botany, cell biology, and senior seminar. A total of 32 credits are required for a major in biology. General education requirements for graduation in addition to previously listed courses are:

• 1 year of English
• 1 course in communication
• 1 course in philosophy
• 1 course in behavioral science
• 1 course in history, and an additional history or behavioral science course
• 1 course in fine arts
• Language proficiency or equivalent to 3 semesters of college foreign language
• 2 designated religion classes (Bible and Culture, Faith and Learning)
• 4 credits in physical education

Accreditation
Greenville College is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, as well as several other academic affiliations for teachers.