College of Science

Guaranteed Interview Programs with Ponce Health Sciences University
School of Medicine-Puerto Rico

Ponce School of MedicineThroughout its 41 years in Ponce, PHSU has graduated more than 2,000 physicians, biomedical scientists and masters in medical sciences.  Our mission is to educate bilingual ethical professionals who provide compassionate, culturally competent health care and generate high impact research to reduce health disparities in the populations we serve in Puerto Rico and the US, through high quality education in a diverse environment. The relationship with Benedictine University permits students who are fluent in English and Spanish to complete their prerequisite requirements at Benedictine University, then transition into PHSU's School of Medicine to enroll in a world-class MD program. These students are guaranteed an interview if they continue to meet specific academic and extracurricular criteria.

For participation in all affilate programs, please consult the Director of the Pre-Health Professions Program as soon as possible for additional information.

3+ Program

Outline of key criteria for selection:

  • Complete 60 credit hours toward and be on-track to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in a natural science from BenU College of Science (students will transfer credit from the first year at PHSU to complete the Bachelor's degree at BenU).
  • Meet all admission requirements of PHSU-SOMPR, including that the student is fluently bilingual in English and Spanish (requires at least one Spanish courses taken at BenU).
  • Completion of or in the process of completing specific pre-requisite courses.
  • Cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 and Science GPA of at least 3.5, and have a semester index of no less than 3.00 each semester.
  • Have a minimum MCAT score of 500, with the test date occurring within 3 years of application.
  • Participation in mentoring, advising, and extracurricular programs, including participation in community service activities consistent with the goal of entering the medical profession.

Detailed information is available from the Director of the Pre-Health Professions Program.

BS Program

Outline of key criteria for selection:

  • Be on-track to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in a natural science from BenU College of Science prior to matriculation at PHSU.
  • Meet all admission requirements of PHSU-SOMPR, including that the student is fluently bilingual in English and Spanish (requires at least one Spanish courses taken at BenU).
  • Completion of or in the process of completing specific pre-requisite courses.
  • Cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 and Science GPA of at least 3.5, and have a semester index of no less than 3.00 each semester.
  • Have a minimum MCAT score of 500, with the test date occurring within 3 years of application.
  • Participation in mentoring, advising, and extracurricular programs, including participation in community service activities consistent with the goal of entering the medical profession.

Detailed information is available from the Director of the Pre-Health Professions Program.

MSIP Program

Outline of key criteria for selection:

  • Be on-track to complete the Master of Science in Integrative Physiology (MSIP) at BenU College of Science prior to matriculation at PHSU.
  • Meet all admission requirements of PHSU-SOMPR, including that the student is fluently bilingual in English and Spanish (requires at least one Spanish courses taken at BenU).
  • Completion of or in the process of completing specific pre-requisite courses.
  • Cumulative (undergraduate and graduate) GPA of at least 3.0 and Science GPA of at least 3.0; a MSIP student must have a program GPA of at least 3.75.
  • Have a minimum MCAT score of 500, with the test date occurring within 3 years of application.
  • Participation in mentoring, advising, and extracurricular programs, including participation in community service activities consistent with the goal of entering the medical profession.

Detailed information is available from the Director of the Pre-Health Professions Program and the MSIP Director.

For all programs, applicants are expected to:

  • Exhibit qualities of character embraced by the health care profession.
  • Have participated in community service activities consistent with the goal of entering the medical profession; clinical experiences, including shadowing, employment, or volunteer work where interaction with and direct observation of a physician (unrelated to applicant) interacting with patients occurs.
  • Maintain good disciplinary standing. This includes the avoidance of serious sanctions, maintaining acceptable interpersonal relations with faculty and peers, showing maturity and judgment, and exercising personal responsibility in meeting commitments.

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Yvonne Kumon
Assistant to the Dean
ykumon@ben.edu
(630) 829-6084

Bonnie Beezhold, Ph.D.
Associate Dean
bbeezhold@ben.edu
(630) 829-6528

Cheryl Mascarenhas, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Science & Health
cmascarenhas@ben.edu
(630) 829-6587