Pre-Medicine
Available as a pre-professional program
At Roanoke College, a rigorous preparation in the sciences, along with access to clinical experiences and research opportunities, will give you an edge in gaining admission to top-quality graduate programs across the country.
As a student in Pre-Medicine, you'll participate in the Health Professions Advising Group (HPAG), which is specially designed for students interested in careers in a variety of health fields.
Student Experiences
Student's fascination fuels published medical research
Roanoke College student Vasilea Karageorge '18 has helped bring the medical field one step closer to stopping breast cancer. Scientific Reports, a science research journal, published an article that Karageorge co-authored about BRCA1 genes whose mutations are linked to breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
Karageorge's work at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute in Roanoke resulted in new information about the structure of mutating BRCA1 genes, which makes decoding the gene a little less challenging and lengthy, and more accurate.
"If we can understand why this mutation leads to cancer, we can, in the long run, determine more efficient ways to combat it," Karageorge said. "Breast cancer has fascinated me from a young age. I know many women close to me who have had breast cancer."
"We may not have found a cure yet, but we have definitely made progress and are closer than we ever have been."
A Pipeline to Med School: Roanoke College students, with qualifying grades, have access to admission slots or guaranteed interviews at VCOM (Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine), Jefferson College of Health Sciences' accelerated nursing program, and Lynchburg College's physical therapy program.
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Seth Fortmann graduated from Roanoke College in 2015, and while here he completed research with Dr. Chris Lassiter. "The 3.5 years of research that I did at Roanoke absolutely gave me an advantage when applying for research assistant positions at Johns Hopkins University," Fortmann said. "I followed my passion and went to Johns Hopkins University to continue doing molecular biology research. What I came to love most was the opportunity to use my creativity to ask and answer interesting questions."
Fortmann is now a M.D./Ph.D. student at the NIH-funded Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine.
Roanoke students earning a GPA of 3.5 or higher are 97% successful in getting into medical school.
Learn By Doing
Internships help you get into top medical schools
We've established relationships with internship and placement sponsors in a wide range of medical specialties, from anesthesiology to veterinary medicine.
Roanoke students have volunteered or completed job shadowing at organizations such as:
- Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare
- Brandon Animal Hospital
- Carilion Community Hospital, Anesthesiology Department
- Child Abuse Prevention Council
- Lewis-Gale Clinic Occupational Therapy
- Lewis-Gale Pavilion, Outpatient Physical Therapy
- Merck Laboratories
- Physicians to Children
- Q-Biochem, LLC
- Thompson's Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center
Careers & Outcomes
"My experience at Roanoke College provided an invaluable foundation for my career as an orthopaedic surgeon. I have been around the globe, and I cannot think of a better place to pursue an undergraduate education. Coming to Roanoke College was one of the best decisions I ever made."
Dr. Jonathan Maher ’97, orthopaedic surgeon at Carilion Clinic and a former team doctor for both the Boston Celtics and for Harvard University Athletics
From mere interest to M.D.
Dr. Adam Cassis '02 always had an interest in surgery, even before his years at Roanoke College. But by the time he graduated with a degree in biology, his interest had become a clear professional pursuit. Cassis went on to earn his M.D. and is now director of otology and skull base surgery at Ruby Memorial Hospital, the largest facility in the West Virginia University Hospitals family. "I chose my career in the medical profession for many reasons but primarily it was to help and improve people's lives in a direct and immediate fashion," Cassis said. "The reward of establishing personal relationships and making a positive impact on their lives is something I continue to treasure."
Our grads go on to great medical schools
News
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Partnership will advance education and workforce development to improve community health and well-being in the Roanoke Valley.
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Roanoke College’s new center for Purpose, Life and Career Exploration (PLACE) opened its doors to students, alumni and community members to show how Roanoke students can get help pursuing high-value careers.
You are encouraged to complete significant internships with health care professionals in their chosen fields. The Roanoke Valley is a medical hub for Southwest Virginia. Roanoke's rapidly growing medical community, including a new medical school and two major hospital systems, creates tremendous learning opportunities for you. You'll also have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of high-level research projects at Roanoke.
Faculty advisors will work with you every step of the way — from your freshmen year onward. They not only help you select appropriate coursework and extracurricular activities, but also work with you to prepare for admissions testing, draft personal statements and develop strategies for professional school interviews.
We offer a pre-professional program in Pre-Medicine for eligible students from all majors.