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HENRY E. RIGGS SCHOOL OF APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES

Postbaccalaureate Premedical Certificate
PPC

Advising Support

Highly individualized support is available to all students to help navigate the medical school admissions process

Curriculum

Graduate-level courses within the applied life sciences and combines courses in science and business

Co-curricular activities

Designed to prepare students for successful applications with an emphasis on networking, mock interviews, shadowing opportunities, and field trips

The PPC is a versatile one-year academic enrichment certificate program designed to help students gain a competitive edge for admission to medical school through a rigorous graduate interdisciplinary curriculum of applied life science courses. Students also have the option to complete a master’s degree while applying to medical schools.

About the Program

The PPC program is highly customized to meet the needs of each student. With just three mandatory courses (medical diagnostics, medical devices, and premedical professional development), students take a highly personalized schedule of classes to become competitive. After completing the certificate, students may apply to AMCAS or AACOMAS and/or pursue employment opportunities in the life sciences industry.

Co-curricular Learning Experiences

The following is a list of some of the activities and opportunities available to PPC students:

  • MCAT Review course (additional fee required)
  • Field trips to local and regional medical schools
  • Meet with professionals from various medical specialties
  • Simulated individual interviews, group interviews, and multi-mini interviews (MMI)
  • Volunteer at local Pomona Free Clinic
  • Guest speakers from various medical schools
  • Networking opportunities with KGI alumni
  • Research opportunities
  • Clinical and shadowing opportunities
  • Health and wellness educator for The Claremont Colleges
  • Medical scribe at nearby clinics in underserved communities
  • Mentor to nearby K-12 schools
  • Local community programs such as Mingle and Munch with senior citizens, K-12 tutoring, and Diabetes Free Riverside Project

25%

Percentage of KGI PPC alumni who matriculate into dental school, podiatric medicine, PhD programs, PA programs, and full-time employment in the biotech/life sciences industry

75%

Percentage of KGI PPC alumni who matriculate into medical school

What Can You Do With A PPC Degree?

Your Postbaccalaureate Premedical certificate offers the competencies and strategic-thinking skills needed to pursue roles in several areas of public health, clinical, research, and many more areas. Explore the careers and salary information that many of our graduates continue into after obtaining their KGI PPC certificate.

How to Apply to the PPC Program

The list of application materials should include:

  • Personal statement
  • éܳé
  • One letter of recommendation
  • Transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary institutions
  • English language proficiency (by interview or scores from TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo exam for international students)

Admitted students are required to submit a $400 non-refundable enrollment fee to hold their spot in the program.

  • Priority Deadline for Spring: October 14
  • Priority Deadline for Fall: December 19
  • Rolling Admission thereafter. Applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed by the admissions team until the class is full.

Admissions Interview

At KGI, we seek out students who will thrive and maximize their professional and personal growth in our PPC program. We want to get to know you so we can make an informed choice about mutual fit with our mission, vision, and unique offerings. This interview also gives you the chance to get to know us.

Interviews are by invitation and take place virtually or on campus at KGI. We look forward to meeting you!

Application Review

The Admissions Committee, composed of faculty and senior admissions administrators, thoroughly and holistically reviews each application. We consider applications in the context of the total applicant pool and in relation to our general admissions standards.

All admissions decisions are final for the academic term in which they are rendered.

Admitted Students

Admitted students must submit a $400 non-refundable enrollment fee to hold their spot in the program. Additionally, counselors contact admitted students to ensure all official documents are received.

Admitted students also receive regular communication from the Admissions Office with important information about preparing for study, student life, housing, orientation, and other topics of interest.

Advanced Placement

Transfer credits for didactic and experiential courses are not accepted. All KGI PPC/PPA program courses within the curriculum are required for graduation. No credit or advanced placement is granted for prior experiential learning, coursework, degrees, certifications, or advanced training.

Prerequisites

To ensure you are prepared to succeed in the PPC program and gain a competitive edge for medical school admission, you must first complete the required prerequisite coursework. This foundational coursework provides scientific and analytical background essential for success as a medical professional.

Prerequisites include:

  • Biology with lab: 2 semester or 3 quarter terms
  • General Chemistry with lab: 2 semester or 3 quarter terms
  • Physics with lab: 2 semester or 3 quarter terms
  • Organic Chemistry with lab: 2 semester or 3 quarter terms
  • Recommended Math: 2 semester or 3 quarter terms (one must at least be Calculus and/or Statistics) 
  • Recommended Biochemistry: 1 semester or 2 quarter terms

You can apply even if you have prerequisite courses in progress, but most prerequisites must be completed before you start the PPC program. A select number of prerequisites can also be completed at KGI at a discounted cost. These prerequisites must have been taken at accredited institutions and completed within the last seven years.

Transcripts for Completion of Baccalaureate Degree

At KGI, we welcome students from diverse undergraduate backgrounds into the PPC program. You may apply while finishing your bachelor’s degree; however, a completed bachelor’s degree is required before beginning the program. Please note that transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended are required.

Unofficial transcripts that clearly list your name and the institution’s name can be uploaded through your applicant portal. While unofficial transcripts are accepted during the application process, if you are admitted, your enrollment will be contingent upon receipt of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended by one week prior to the start of the term.

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

KGI does not require the GRE or MCAT for admission to the PCC program. Submitted scores may be reviewed but will not be a significant factor in the admissions process.

Letter of Recommendation

We require at least one letter of recommendation to help us get to know you better. This letter should highlight your character, strengths, and professionalism, underscoring specific examples that demonstrate your abilities and work ethic.

Additionally, we suggest asking an individual who knows you well enough to write a detailed narrative. These may include professors, colleagues, other professionals or supervisors who can speak to your potential for success in a graduate-level program and as a future medical professional.

Recommended Clinical Experience Hours

While KGI doesn't require a specific amount of clinical experience hours, we highly recommend seeking these experiences. Seeing clinical experience hours in action across various settings can be valuable in helping you make an informed decision about your career path.

Clinical experience hours might take place in schools, hospitals, outpatient clinics, community-based sites, long-term care facilities, or any other location where health care professionals provide services. Most applicants find these experiences to be both motivating and inspiring!

International Applicants

KGI welcomes international students and values cultural diversity in the classroom.

Transcripts from international schools that are not provided in English directly from the issuing institution must be presented both in the original language form and translated into English by a translation agency, official translator or .

Undergraduate applicants who have not completed a high school diploma or bachelor's degree in which the language of instruction was English may be requested to provide an English Proficiency test scores.

KGI accepts scores from the following: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test (DET).

The score must be sent directly from the testing service and must be taken within two years prior to the time of application. Institutional versions of the test are not accepted.

Interested in a Master of Science?

Pre-health students may also pursue KGI’s Master of Science in Applied Life Sciences (MS) program with a pre-health track. With this option, you take KGI’s PPC curriculum in year one, and complete one of our MS concentrations in year two.

Concentrations include: translational, clinical, public health, infectious diseases, or bioprocessing research, or a Team Master’s Project.

If you are interested in this option, apply for the MS program and select “Yes” when asked whether you want to apply for the pre-health track.

Program Faculty and Staff