Pre-Law
Laura van Assendelft
Mary Baldwin University is committed to ensuring that students are prepared for the rigors of law school and have the skills needed for a successful professional career.
MBU pre-law advisors suggest that students gain first-hand experience in one or more legal environments — through summer jobs and internships at private firms, a circuit court clerk office, or in a juvenile and domestic relations court. They also recommend talking with and shadowing knowledgeable attorneys to get a feel for the job. Many students benefit from full-time employment as a paralegal after completing their bachelor’s degree, which allows them to evaluate their interest in pursuing a law degree.
According to the Association of American Law Schools, there is no specific pre-law major or curriculum. MBU recommends a strong liberal arts foundation, with an emphasis on courses and majors that require writing essays that are evaluated on the basis of reasoning and supporting evidence, as the best undergraduate preparation. Students should also consider taking courses that will help them develop their ability to work with and motivate others, two very important qualities in an attorney. Suggested courses include those with an emphasis in public policy, psychology, social processes, business, accounting, writing, research, communication, and public speaking.
Pre-Med and Pre-Health Sciences
Maria Craig, Rebecca Haberman, David McLeod
Many students are interested in graduate school in health-related professions, ranging from traditional medical school to physician assistant studies to physical therapy and occupational therapy. We strive to support our students in health-focused career exploration and endeavor to prepare them well for future graduate studies.
Medical schools as well as health sciences graduate programs have specific admission requirements, but most are more concerned that applicants have a strong liberal arts background and have demonstrated an ability to excel, rather than requiring a specific major. Most medical schools want entrants with a strong foundation in science and math, as well as a strong overall GPA.
Achievement on the entrance examination — Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) — is a nearly universal requirement of medical schools and are required of many other programs as well. Students usually take the MCAT or GRE in the spring of their junior year and apply for admission the following summer/fall. Some students may apply for early decision to select programs. Students who choose to major in biology may further designate an emphasis in biomedical science designed to provide broad-based scientific knowledge and skills. No college can guarantee admission to medical school or other graduate programs; however, at Mary Baldwin we have found that capable students who successfully complete the designated prerequisite courses and apply themselves can gain admission to a good medical school or graduate program in the health sciences. We recommend that students who are interested in healthcare participate in an internship in a medical/healthcare setting early in their careers at MBU, as a valuable addition to their academic records and to evaluate their interest in a particular profession. The premedical or health sciences advisors and the McCree Center for Life Success can help you explore options for internships and shadowing.
Mary Baldwin undergraduates interested in applying to graduate programs in the Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences are guaranteed an interview provided they meet all admissions requirements. Students should work with their faculty advisor to ensure that their four-year plan allows for completion of all necessary prerequisite coursework.