Fisher Announces Early Acceptance Partnership with LECOM

St. John Fisher College and the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) have announced affiliation agreements providing select undergraduate students at Fisher early provisional acceptance into LECOM’s School of Dental Medicine and College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Fisher’s pre-health professions program offers students guided support through the graduate application process, and these new Early Acceptance Programs with LECOM will create a smooth pathway for students interested in earning a Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. Fisher students have historically enjoyed graduate program acceptance rates well above the national averages; for example, from 2008-2019, 90 percent of Fisher students applying to dental programs were accepted, compared to 51 percent nationally.

“Fisher students have made tremendous contributions to the health professions for decades. Our education is guided by the Basilian father’s motto, teach us goodness, discipline and knowledge—these are the hallmarks of medical and dental professionals in our community,” said Dr. Ann Marie Fallon, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Fisher, which houses the pre-health professions program. “We’re privileged to offer these clear pathways to high quality health care education.”

To be considered for the program, students must meet a set of requirements for both institutions. At Fisher, they must matriculate as first-time first-year students, complete the College’s First Year Program, Core Curriculum, major, and minor requirements; consult with an advisor to discuss educational and career goals; and earn a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.4 or higher and a science GPA of 3.2 or higher. Students also must satisfy the requirements for entry into the osteopathic or dental medicine programs at LECOM, which has campuses in Erie and Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Bradenton, Florida, and, opening in July, Elmira, New York.

“LECOM is committed to shaping the future of health care by training and nurturing the next generation of osteopathic physicians, pharmacists, dentists, and medical professionals,” said John M. Ferretti, D.O., LECOM president and CEO. “Our focus is on providing innovative, student-centered education that is second to none, and through our relationships with St. John Fisher College and other institutions, our students have expanded opportunities to become successful leaders in 21st century health care.”