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Benedictine partnership eases path to med school

Benedictine University students hoping to become doctors recently got a boost that may bring them closer to their dreams through a new partnership with Ross University School of Medicine.

At an official articulation agreement signing at Benedictine, officials from both universities ratified the partnership, touting it as a win-win for both institutions and for Benedictine students.

"With the quality of Benedictine University students already attending Ross, this agreement really helps both institutions," said Leslie Andersen, senior associate director of admissions at Ross University, located in the Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies.

Under the agreement, both schools will provide educational opportunities to Benedictine students who meet eligibility requirements and earn a recommendation from Benedictine University for admission and matriculation to Ross University School of Medicine.

Eligible Benedictine students will receive preferential admission to include waived application fees, a guaranteed admissions interview and an immediate evaluation for academic scholarships following admission. Five seats in Ross University courses will be reserved specifically for students who enroll from Benedictine each semester.

Attending the signing were Benedictine University President Michael S. Brophy, Ph.D.; María J. de la Cámara, Ph.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Benedictine; Bart Ng, dean of Benedictine's College of Science; Alice Sima, director of Benedictine's Pre-Professional Health Programs; Andersen and Richard Hague II, associate director of admissions at Ross University.

Currently, 12 Benedictine alumni have enrolled at Ross University School of Medicine (five are in Dominica completing their Foundations of Medicine coursework and seven are completing their clinical rotations).

Between 2004 and 2014, Ross University School of Medicine graduated a total of 24 students who came from Benedictine University, according to Sima.

Ng touts the College of Science's Health Sciences Recommendations Committee as being instrumental in ensuring Benedictine students are prepared to pursue careers in the health sciences, including medical school.

"No one single professor writes a recommendation," Ng said. "Each student goes through a committee and interview process. The evaluation we give them to pass on to medical school is very well-organized."

De la Cámara echoed these sentiments.

"The word is 'credibility.' That is what our students have once they apply to medical school and other health professions," she said.

For information about Benedictine and eligibility requirements for the Ross University School of Medicine admissions requirements, contact Sima at (630) 829-6585 or asima@ben.edu.

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