St. Bonaventure University has signed an articulation agreement with Duquesne University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (DUQCOM) designed to streamline the path for aspiring medical students.

Beginning in the fall of 2025, this partnership will provide selected SBU students with a guaranteed interview and priority admission into DUQCOM's 4-year D.O. program, contingent upon the satisfactory completion of their undergraduate studies.

The collaboration underscores both universities’ commitment to cultivating the next generation of healthcare professionals. Students who meet the specified requirements will benefit from a clear pathway to medical school, enhancing their educational journey and ultimately, their careers in medicine.

“We’re proud to partner with Duquesne to provide our students with this exceptional opportunity,” said Dr. David Hilmey, SBU’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “This agreement not only reflects our commitment to academic excellence but also emphasizes our dedication to fostering the growth of future leaders in healthcare.”

Prospective high school students interested in this opportunity must first apply by Dec. 6 to St. Bonaventure using the Common Application.

Requirements of the 4+4 program include:

• A combined SAT score of at least 1340 or an ACT composite score of at least 28.
• A high school GPA of 90% or higher.
• Two confidential letters of recommendation, including at least one from a lab science teacher.
• Two essays: a personal statement included with the Common Application, and an additional essay titled “Applying to Medical School,” detailing the student’s interest in medicine and the motivation to pursue their education at SBU and DUQCOM.
• A resume that outlines extracurricular activities and relevant experiences.

Upon admission to SBU, students must major in either Biology, Health Science, Physics, Biochemistry or Chemistry and then meet the following criteria during their undergraduate academic career to be eligible for the DUQCOM program:

• Be a rising senior in good academic standing at SBU.
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.6.
• Achieve a science GPA of 3.5.
• Obtain an MCAT score at or above the 51st percentile before submitting a secondary application.
• Submit the MCAT score no later than Jan. 1 of the year they expect to matriculate.
• Complete 100 hours of physician observation/clinical exposure and 100 hours of volunteering/community service after acceptance into the program.

“By creating this pathway, we are not only providing our students with a competitive edge in the medical school application process but also reinforcing our commitment to community service and clinical experience,” said Dr. Monica Thomas, faculty director of Franciscan Health Care Professions programs at St. Bonaventure.

For more information about the articulation agreement or the application process, prospective students and current SBU students are encouraged to contact Dr. Monica Thomas at mthomas@iin3d.com.

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure University is a community committed to transforming the lives of our students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a lifelong commitment to service and citizenship. Out of 167 regional universities in the North, St. Bonaventure was ranked #6 for value and #14 for innovation by U.S. News and World Report (2024).