Pre-Law
Because the English major at Northwest University offers the training, knowledge, and character development necessary to meet almost all of the American Bar Association’s list of ten “Core Skills, Values, Knowledge, and Experience,” we hereby propose that any student interested in attending law school become an English major, or at the very least take the Pre-Law Studies minor that relies heavily on the English major core. Pre-Law Studies, Minor
Problem Solving
- Critical thinking, tolerance for uncertainty, the ability to accept criticism
- Related English Courses
- Creative Writing
- English Capstone
- All Literature courses
Critical Reading
- Close reading, critical analysis, ability to analyze complex texts
- Related English Courses
- Rhetoric and Persuasion
- Literary Theory
- All Literature courses
Writing and Editing
- Coherent and concise writing, editing in response to criticism, creating sustained, written arguments
- Related English Courses
- English Grammar
- Literary Theory
- English Capstone
- All Literature courses
Oral Communication and Listening
- Persuasive speaking, formal presentations, respectful debate
- Related English Courses
Research
- Library research and analysis of significant amounts of information
- Related English Courses
- Literary Theory
- English Capstone
Organization and Management
- Efficiently and effectively organize copious amounts of information
- Related English Courses
- Literary Theory
- English Capstone
Public Service and Promotion of Justice
- Provide assistance to others in a significant and meaningful way
- Related English Courses
- Non-Western and Diverse Literature courses
Relationship-building and Collaboration
- Teamwork and productive working relationships
- Related English Courses
- Creative Nonfiction Workshop
- Fiction Workshop
- Poetry Workshop
Background Knowledge
- History, American political systems, basic math and financial skills, psychology and sociology, diverse cultures, and international issues
- Related English Courses
- All Literature courses
- Cross-Cultural Experience
- Recommended courses outside of the English major:
- U.S. History I & U.S. History II
- Pre-Calculus or Probability and Statistics
- Principles of Financial Accounting
- Survey of Economics
- Any psychology course
- Any sociology course
Exposure to the Law
- Realities of the legal profession
- Related English Courses
- English Internship in a law-related setting
- Recommended courses outside of the English major:
- BUSM 3403 - Business Law
- INTC 4513 - Legal and Ethical Issues in Information Technology
- PMIN 3523 - Legal Issues in the Church
Students who want to pursue a career in law may contact Dr. Clint Bryan, the Dean of the College of Arts and Science, who can help advise them. For more information, visit the website of the American Bar Association. https://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_education/resources/pre_law/
Pre-Medicine
A medical education provides access to a broad and inclusive profession from clinical practice to medical administration, public health, community health, biomedical research, and medical education.
Students seeking to pursue a career in medicine must build a strong foundation in the sciences and mathematics. Most students preparing to enter medical school major in biology or biochemistry. Other majors are possible, but the student must complete all of the core science courses required by the medical school. In addition, medical schools expect a broad education in the liberal arts. The unifying factor is the student’s ability to demonstrate in-depth scholarly exploration and the development of life-long learning skills that are essential to a career in medicine.
Because medicine is practiced in a social context, medical schools look for applicants with strong communication and interpersonal skills, a deep appreciation of the needs of society, and a set of values such as truthfulness, compassion, altruism, and justice. Northwest University provides students with the opportunity to develop these values through the integration of faith and learning in all of the traditional fields of study in humanities, natural and social sciences, and though the core biblical and theological studies in the Core Curriculum. In addition, Northwest University encourages students to directly apply these understandings and values through a variety of ministry and community outreach opportunities.
Medical schools look for students who demonstrate dedication to duty and altruism through service learning experiences specifically related to the values of healthcare professions. Such experiences will typically include participation in clinical science research, shadowing of a healthcare professional, participating in community healthcare or social agency outreach efforts, or the like. Students should seek out multiple opportunities to engage in experiential learning. Each student in the pre-professional biology track will participate in a cross-cultural service experience as a part of the program requirements.
Because the process for admission entrance to medical school is rigorous and competitive, the admission standards are very high. Letters of recommendation by the Medical School Advisory committee, which are necessary for application to medical schools, are only given for students who in the judgment of the committee meet the standards of strong grades, quality and quantity of service learning experience, and cross-cultural competence. Completing any particular degree does not guarantee recommendation.
Core Science Requirements (Source: Medical School Admission Requirements, 2008-2009, AAMC)
- General Biology (2 semesters)
- Physics (2 semesters)
- General Chemistry (2 semesters)
- Organic Chemistry (2 semesters)
Note: Premedical students intending to apply college credit earned through Advanced Placement (AP) and College Level Examination Placement (CLEP) to meet premedical requirements should be aware that medical schools restrict the use of such credits. Accordingly, Northwest University may require either taking the courses in the science core at Northwest University, or validating any transfer courses through successful completion of upper-level science courses. It is strongly recommended that all science courses be taken at the university level.
Because mathematical competence is foundational to science, and because medicine requires the ability to evaluate medical literature, Calculus and Biostatistics are generally expected.
Other criteria for admission to medical school
- A strong GPA in a rigorous and demanding selection of courses.
- Strong scores in the four sections of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
- Letters of recommendation
- Documentation of service experience
Pre-medicine students will be expected to participate in the pre-med advising cohort and to regularly engage with the pre-medical advisor. Students may get more information by contacting the College of Arts and Sciences Office Coordinaotr in Argue HSC 101 for a Pre-med handbook.
Pre-Dentistry
Students seeking to enter dental school should follow the preparation requirements for medical school admissions. Students are also advised to contact the dental schools to which they may wish to apply for specific pre-admission requirements. In place of the MCAT, dental school admissions require strong scores on the American Dental Association Dental Admission Test. Information on this test can be obtained from the Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
Other Post Graduate Health Professional Programs
Students interested in preparing for other health care professions in areas such as pharmacy, optometry, medical technology, or podiatry, may also do so within the science programs at Northwest University. Because each of these professional areas has its own basic science and core curriculum requirements, a student seeking entrance into a professional school should determine the specific requirements by consulting the catalogs of the school(s) and tailoring the course of study at Northwest University to meet them. Information on some of the health care professions is available from faculty in the Science and Mathematics department.
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