Overview of the SBU-LECOM Dual Degree Program in Pharmacy

Students accepted into this competitive program have a provisional seat waiting for them at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy (LECOM-Pharm) after three years at St. Bonaventure University. Options exist for spending four years at St. Bonaventure and at LECOM.

Students accepted into the accelerated program spend three years at St. Bonaventure and major in biology. After three years at SBU, the student moves on to LECOM-Pharm. The first year’s credit at LECOM-Pharm transfers back to SBU to complete the B.S. degree. Upon completion of the program at LECOM-Pharm, the student receives the degree of Doctor of Pharmacy.

Upon acceptance into the program, a seat is reserved for the student at LECOM-Pharm for the class entering there three or four years later. The seat is provisional in that program requirements must be maintained. These requirements include academic and comportment standards and also a personal interview at LECOM. The interview is scheduled based on student readiness, either prior to entry at SBU or after the first or second year at SBU.

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 SBU application. 

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

LECOM offers a choice of two campuses for pharmacy school: Erie, Pa., and Bradenton, Fla. However, only the Erie campus offers the three-year accelerated pharmacy curriculum. A student choosing the Bradenton, Fla., campus will complete pharmacy school in four years.

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 Pharmacy School,” which details your interest in working in the profession of pharmacy 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 or physical science
• Minimum overall grade point average of 3.4 (A = 4.0)
• Minimum GPA of 3.2 or better in all science courses
• Grade of C or better in all courses
• Complete LECOM-Pharm prerequisites
• Maintain character/comportment requirements
• LECOM restricts summer course work and taking courses away from SBU
• PCAT is required