Application Requirements for Career Changer Program

This competitive program is available for Kentucky and out of state applicants for fall admission only.  The 2024 application cycle has been extended to March 1, 2024. There are 10 spots available!   

THIS CAREER CHANGER PROGRAM IS DESIGNED FOR THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS:

  • Students interested in going to medical school to become a physician or medical doctor.
  • Students who have graduated or will graduate from college with a bachelors degree prior to the start of the program in August.
  • Students who have taken no more than 12 credit hours in pre-med level biology, chemistry and physics (including labs). 

    Math/Statistics, psychology, sociology or English courses are not counted in the 12-credit hour limit, even though some medical schools may require or recommend them.  Intro level courses in biology, chemistry or physics and science courses for nursing or exercise science majors are usually not included in the 12-credit hour limit.  The only course work recognized as pre-med level science courses are usually those for majors in those science areas or classes indicated as pre-professional.

Please note: Credit hours may vary from school to school.  The majority of science courses and labs offered at the University of Louisville consist of a 3 credit hour course and 1 or 2 credit hour lab. This will result in a total of two classes with 4-5 credit hours earned.  If your school assigns more credits to one class or lab than our school does, we will take into account that it is for one class or one lab (two classes versus the number of credit hours).

 THIS CAREER CHANGER PROGRAM IS NOT DESIGNED FOR THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS:

  • Students who have taken the majority or all of their pre-med requirements and wish to retake or refresh their course work. 
  • Students who seek record enhancing to improve their science GPA or MCAT score for medical school consideration. 
  • Students who have already taken the MCAT and/or reapplying to medical school.

For record enhancing consider the non-thesis M.S. in Physiology Program Pre-Health Care Track at the University of Louisville or another record enhancing post-bac program.

PLEASE NOTE: In Fall 2024, our program will be expanding to include a record enhancing program. The application cycle will begin February 15  - March 30, 2024.  More details coming soon!  

 For a listing of additional post-bac programs, please click here.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

  • Must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States
  • Must have earned a Bachelors, Masters or Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in the United States
  • Must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3. in either undergraduate or graduate school *If slightly lower you may still apply but may not be as competitive
  • Must not exceed 12 credit hours of pre-med level science courses in biology, chemistry or physics (0-12 credit hours is acceptable) *Please note: Exceptions may be considered for some pre-med science course work taken 10 or more years ago.

Keep in mind that since this program is designed for career changers with 0-12 credits in pre-med level science, they will receive preference for consideration. Those with course work exceeding 12 credit hours from 10 or more years ago will be considered if additional spots are available. 

  • Must provide one of the following standardized test scores below. We only need one test.  Your application will NOT be considered without one

STANDARDIZED TEST MINIMUM SCORE REQUIREMENTS

Choose from any one of these tests you've taken to submit a score.

ACT24 Minimum Composite
SAT1200/1600 or 1750/2400 Minimum Composite
GRE50th percentile minimum in each area
GMAT50th percentile minimum composite
LSAT50th percentile minimum composite


Please no
te: If you've taken more than one kind of test (e.g., ACT and SAT) present the test that meets the requirement regardless of when it was taken. We do not have an expiration date for your score.  You may provide us with an unofficial copy of your scores or a screenshot as long as it indicates your identifying information (name, date of birth, etc.).  If you don't meet our minimum requirement, consider retaking one of the tests with adequate preparation to meet the required score.

  • The U of L Testing Services Office offers a residual ACT that only counts for U of L.  Please call 502-852--6456 or go to the testing services website.
  • If you choose not to retake or choose another type of exam to take; then explain your situation in the special circumstance essay section on the application when you apply.

To get an idea of what qualities we are seeking in a qualified applicant and to understand our selection process, click here.

APPLICATION PROCESS

 To apply to our program, you must go through PostbacCas.  It's is a centralized application service that allows you to apply to as many programs as you choose.   There is an application processing fee for PostbacCas.

PostbacCas will request specific information from you.  Our program requires for you to provide PostbacCas with a minimum of two letters of recommendation and a maximum of three.  Your letters may come from the following; a professor, an advisor, a current or former supervisor, a colleague or mentor, a physician or other health professional you shadowed (e.g., Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner), a pastor/minister/religious leader, volunteer coordinator or someone else who can speak about you professionally, academically or humanistically through service.  Please do not include family members.

After reporting your standardized test score to PostbacCas, you will be asked by our program to upload an official or unofficial copy of your standardized test score for verification.  We only need ONE test score which can be any of the following: ACT, SAT, GRE, GMAT or LSAT.  We will not accept any other standardized test besides the ones indicated.  There isn't an expiration date so, tests taken years ago are acceptable. Your resume or CV will be requested to be uploaded along with responding to some essay questions specifically for our program. 

We do not have rolling admission. We will begin reviewing applications after the deadline.  The Program Advisory Committee reviews completed and verified applications to select qualified applicants to interview. Interviews are scheduled for selected applicants. Our interviews will begin in March and last until the end of April or early May.

If you are invited to interview, you will receive an e-mail that will include dates and times to select for your interview day.  Click here for more information regarding our interview process. Our interviews are virtual via Microsoft Teams. 

After an applicant is interviewed, it usually takes about 1-2 weeks for them to be notified regarding their status.  Applicants are notified via e-mail.  We do not provide your status over the phone.  However, we will indicate if your application is currently being reviewed.

If you are not accepted to the program, you may continue as a regular non-degree post-bac or a second degree senior at U of L. You may seek pre-med advising from the following: Arts & Sciences Advising Center at 502-852-5502; the Biology Department at 852-6771 or the Chemistry Department at 852-6798.  You may also go to the following websites for additional medical school information: www.aamc.org, www.AspiringDocs.org or www.louisville.edu/medschool/admissions/. Please also check out our Pre-med Resource Link with helpful information.