Professional Health Science Program

Fill out the transfer application for traditional undergraduate enrollment at Avila University.

The number of semesters it will take to complete the Post-bacc program varies by student. It is mostly calculated based on the prerequisite needs of the student in order to enter into a particular healthcare career. On average, Post-bacc students spend between 1 – 4 semesters to complete their necessary courses.

Avila’s Post-bacc Pre-health program is designed for students who are ‘career changers’ or are looking to boost their GPA for medical school. These are students who are currently in the workforce and have decided to pursue a career in medicine, or have completed their undergraduate degree in a non-science, non-pre-health major and are now looking to attend medical school.

To be accepted to Avila University as a Post-bacc, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in all academic coursework. Accepted students will receive a transcript evaluation that breaks down how their credits will be transferred to Avila.

Keep in mind that admission to medical school is highly competitive, and it is unlikely that students with a cumulative GPA below a 3.0 gain admittance. Thus, we recommend prospective students speak with an admission rep at their desired medical school to ensure a clear understanding of their admissions criteria. We also recommend students spend time determining if an MD or DO degree is the best for them.

Avila has several partnerships with both allopathic and osteopathic medical schools locally and across the country.  Please refer to the Pre-health Professions Pre-Med career track page to learn about these partnerships and opportunities.

Admission to medical school is highly competitive, and it is unlikely that students with a cumulative GPA below a 3.0 gain admission to medical school. Students are encouraged to determine which medical degree and/or program, such as MD or DO, is best suited for them.

For MD programs, EVERY college level course taken will be considered to determine a cumulative GPA for admission. MD programs do not replace repeated courses with the highest grade and do not average grades for repeated courses. Students need to have received a ‘B’ or ‘C’ grades in previous coursework and obtain an ‘A’ in all their Post-bacc courses to have a boosting effect on their GPA.

For DO programs, the most recent grade is considered when calculating a GPA for admission. DO programs may be a better fit for students who received mostly ‘C’ grades or below in their previous coursework, and are now looking to boost their GPA to gain admission to a DO program. Students should plan to get ‘A’ grades in all Post-bacc courses to give an effective boost to their GPA.

Both MD and DO programs take into consideration student’s experiential experiences. Students should be participating in shadow experiences on their own as much as possible. Avila faculty and advisors assist students with their shadowing and research opportunities, personal statement, application, recommendation letters, and practice interviews.

Yes! Our campus visit typically includes a meeting with an admission rep, a meeting with a Post-bacc faculty member, and a tour of the campus. To request a visit, please complete the online campus visit form and a member of our admissions team will reach out to confirm the details of your request.

Click here to download the Post-bacc handout.

For more information, please contact: