Who are pre-professionals?
Many LaGrange College students go on to earn advanced degrees and attend professional school—most often to pursue medical, dental, pharmacy, vet or law careers. Why start at LaGrange? Because many majors require the same courses for graduation as professional schools require for admission.
You can include a pre-professional concentration in your academic major without extending the time to graduate. And you won't have to figure out the best way to get into professional school on your own— LaGrange provides advisors to assist students who are applying to professional school.

Dentistry
Though you don't have to officially declare dentistry as a major or minor, you will still have to take some extra classes depending on which program you plan to attend after graduation. It's best to get together with the Health Pre-Professional Advisor early-on to help formulate a game plan.

Typically, you are required to take two semesters each of General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and General Biology. One or more semesters of Physics and English should be completed by the end of your junior year.

LaGrange offers shadowing and internship opportunities that will help you gain essential field experience for admission to a professional dentistry school. Again, as you plan ahead, the Health Pre-Professional Advisor can be a valuable resource.

Engineering
As a dual-degree engineering student, you will complete at least 90 semester hours (approximately three years) at LaGrange College, then continue your studies at Georgia Tech or Auburn for another two to three years. Upon graduation, you will have earned two diplomas, one from our top-notch liberal arts college plus an engineering degree from one of the country's best engineering schools.

Law
Almost any major can give you the necessary background for a law career, but you have to plan ahead. The pre-law advising committee will help you get on the right track, meeting with you during your freshman year to guide you in the right direction. Law school bulletins (with requirements for different programs) and LSAT guides are available on campus.

Medicine and Allied Fields
You'll begin the pre-med track by consulting with your Health Pre-Professional Advisor and declaring a major. Past LC grads accepted to medical school have majored in biology, biochemistry, chemistry or psychology, but any major is acceptable as long as the specified 32 hour core of sciences is completed—a core that includes biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics.

Pre-med track students should be prepared to take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) during the spring of their junior year.

Prior to admission, medical schools look for demonstrated signs of your desire and commitment. That's where the shadowing and internship opportunities offered by LaGrange can make a real difference. They not only help you gain experience, they display your interest and willingness to work.

Optometry
You can enter the pre-professional optometry program no matter what your major is, but science is recommended. You should consult with the Health Pre-Professional Advisor as early as possible in order to map out the best way to meet the program requirements.
 
Pharmacy
While it is not required for entrance to pharmacy school, most students complete an undergraduate degree first—typically one in general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, economics, English or behavioral science.

Different pharmacy schools have different admission requirements, so contact the Health Pre-Professional Advisor as early as possible to discuss your options. At the same time, ask about the shadowing and internship opportunities offered through the College. Real-world experience in a retail or clinical pharmacy environment can be invaluable.

Physical Therapy
Nearly all physical therapy schools have moved to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program and require completion of a bachelor's degree prior to admission. Coursework varies substantially between schools, so consult with the Health Pre-Professional Advisor at the earliest opportunity to identify target schools and plan an appropriate course of study.

Most physical therapy programs require significant experience in both in-patient and out-patient settings to be considered for admission. LaGrange's shadowing and internship programs provide opportunities to begin gaining that essential experience.

Theology/Seminary
Pre-seminary students at LaGrange often major in religion and can choose a special emphasis such as youth ministry or church leadership. Other popular pre-seminary majors are history, philosophy, psychology and English.

Faculty members stand ready to advise pre-seminary students regarding the selection of a major and of individual courses in light of the requirements of the target seminary. There is also an active program of discussions and social gatherings for those in the pre-seminary program.

Veterinary Medicine
Most veterinary schools want applicants to have some previous experience working with large and small animals along with at least 54 semester hours of college credit in specific fields. The majority of this coursework overlaps the Bachelor of Science in Biology major, so it is the preferred track for LaGrange students.

Vet Schools use the Graduate Regents Exam (GRE) as an admission requirement, and some schools additionaly require the GRE subject exam in Biology. All testing needs to be completed no later than the fall of your senior year. The department will work with you during your freshman year to create a plan for winning admission to the vet school of your choice. If you're planning to go the pre-veterinary route, you should choose a major and meet with the Health Pre-Professional Advisor as early as possible.

A veterinary medicine degree can lead to satisfying, animal-related careers that don't immediately spring to mind. Public and private institutions employ animal behavior trainers to help study the hows and the whys of animal response to diverse conditions and stimuli. Trainers are also in large demand in the entertainment and law enforcement fields. Some vet students go on to become marine biologists. Park rangers protect endangered wildlife and their habitats. Veterinary pathologists study the scientific causes, development and results of diseases in animals. And animal-assisted therapists help improve mental, social and physical issues within humans through animal/human companionship.