Transfers

Prospective Community College Transfers

Competitive graduate-level health science programs such as medical or dental schools interpret many things from the academic information submitted by an applicant. The application will collect a list of courses, credits and grades earned from every school an applicant has attended. Admissions teams are looking for consistency and upward growth trends in grades, which points to an applicant's ability to think critically, problem solve, and manage their time wisely.

While community colleges may offer courses that are equivalent to the ones needed to apply to a given school, graduate-level health science programs often state there are limits on the number of community college courses that will be accepted in meeting prerequisites. Admissions offices and committees have stated that taking prerequisite science classes at a four-year school may better prepare applicants for the demanding and challenging curriculum of medical or dental school.

What does this mean for students who want or need to start at a community college and plan to apply to medical or dental school? The PMHS advisors suggest the following options when planning your transfer coursework:

• Take entry-level courses when possible
• Limit community college coursework to 24-30 credits before transferring
• Use the reverse transfer option to complete the Michigan Transfer Agreement or an associate degree
• Consider taking all of the chemistry courses at WSU 

WSU advisors meet with prospective students to discuss the best ways to move forward on their pre-health journey.  Students who are considering a transfer to WSU should start by connecting with an advisor in the Transfer Student Success Center (TSSC). The TSSC advisors will refer students to pre-med and pre-dental advisors at the appropriate time. 

Pre-Medical and Dental Transfer Equivalency Table

The courses in the equivalency table below are for select Michigan community colleges and represent the recommended coursework for most US medical and dental schools as well as the recommended courses necessary to prepare for entrance exams. Please note that pre-medicine and pre-dentistry are not WSU majors. Pre-health advisors can help you select a major.

Pre-Med and Dental Equivalency Tables

All transfer admits

Pre-health transfers arrive to WSU with a variety of backgrounds and at different levels of academic and professional preparation for their intended programs. Pre-med and Health Science Center advisors are here to provide timely and reliable information to help you maximize your time at WSU. 

Here are some key steps:

1. Select a major - Graduate-level healthcare programs require a bachelors degree and transfer students can work with a pre-health advisor to discuss their options. For a full list of majors available for undergraduate studies at WSU, visit the programs page. 

2. Attend Transfer Orientation You will receive information on Transfer Orientation once you have been admitted. At Orientation you will meet with an advisor to discuss your transfer credit, and register for your first term.

3. Attend an Essentials Session   Essentials sessions are critical information meetings designed to prepare pre-health students to be successful applicants to their intended healthcare program. Each session includes a review of coursework, recommended professional experiences, test preparation, and application information. You can find the Essentials session for your intended program, along with an RSVP link, on our Essentials page.

4. Become familiar with the PMHSC website There is a lot of helpful information right here! In addition, you can check out our upcoming events on the homepage.

5. Check your WSU email  Once you attend a meeting, certain programs will add you to a program-specific listserve which will ensure that you are notified directly of all programming and other opportunities. You can also follow us on Instagram: @wsuprehealth.

6. Meet with an advisor regularly - We encourage you to meet with your pre-health advisor during your first term at WSU. Let us help you plan for your future success and define your goals for the year. In addition, check the homepage for information on our weekly small group advising sessions.