B.S.-D.O. 4+4 Dual Admission Program

Students accepted into this competitive program have a provisional seat waiting for them at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) upon graduation from St. Bonaventure University.

The student receives a provisional letter of acceptance to LECOM upon entering the program at SBU, and a seat is held at the medical school class that begins four years after. The acceptance is provisional only in the sense that program requirements must be maintained.

These requirements include both academic and comportment standards, as well as continued service work and clinical exposure. The MCAT test requirement is waived.

Applicants must submit a complete application to SBU. The application deadline is Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. Required application materials that do not fit into online applications should be mailed to the Office of Admissions (see address at bottom of page). Transfer students are not eligible for this program.

A brief online LECOM application must be completed before the LECOM interview can be scheduled. Students should complete this application concurrently with submitting the SBU application.

Qualified applicants will be interviewed at SBU by invitation in February. A second interview is conducted by LECOM. Decisions on acceptance are made after a successful interview at SBU and LECOM.

Dual admit means less stress, more opportunities

I enjoyed a really good liberal arts education at St. Bonaventure. I had fewer stresses, I do believe, than most traditional students as I was able to focus just on learning and education versus trying to study as hard as I could to get into med school. With that, I think a very well-balanced education, knowing I’d be going to medical school in the future, allowed me to have a much more fulfilling earlier life, then dive into medicine, accomplished and happy to tackle new challenges.

Michael Ghassibi, D.O.
Orthopedic spine surgeon
Orthopedic Associates Meadville
Dual admit program, B.S. in biology, SBU Class of 2010

Application requirements

• 1240 (ERW+M) SAT or ACT composite 26.
• High school average of 90 or higher as calculated by the St. Bonaventure Admissions Office
• Community service is evaluated and taken into consideration
• At least two letters of recommendation, at least one of which should be from a science teacher.
• Two essays:
  • One essay (Personal Statement) that will be included with your Common App.
  • An additional essay titled “Applying to Medical School,” which details your interest in working in the profession of medicine and why you are interested in starting that process at SBU and then continuing at LECOM. 
• A resume that organizes all of your extracurricular activities in one place (church, clubs, sports, hobbies, volunteering, clinical exposure, employment, etc.).

Maintenance standards of Phase I of the program

• Must be a full-time student
• Must major in biological and physical science
• Minimum overall grade point average of 3.4 (A = 4.0)
• Minimum GPA of 3.3 or better in all science courses
• Grade of C or better in all courses
• Complete LECOM prerequisites
• Maintain character/comportment requirements
• LECOM restricts summer course work and taking courses away from SBU
• The MCAT test requirement is waived.

What is osteopathic medicine?

Osteopathic medicine focuses on the whole person, the relationship of the body’s nerves, muscles, bones and organs, and the body’s innate ability to heal itself. It is one of the fastest-growing health professions. Learn more from the American Osteopathic Association.