Health Professions Outcomes

In the rapidly expanding world of medicine and allied health, Gordon College graduates have a consistent, successful track record of gaining acceptance into medical school and other health professions graduate programs after completing one of our pre-health professions concentrations.

79% acceptance rate for Gordon student applying to medical school vs. 41% national acceptance rate
Acceptance rate calculated based on all Gordon students applying to medical school since the 2014 application cycle. Among highly qualified applicants (MCAT score over 80th percentile and GPA over 3.5), more than 90% were accepted. National acceptance rate is according to the Princeton Review, 2018–19.

90%+ acceptance rate for pre-health professions students applying to graduate programs in nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, prosthetics and orthotics, and exercise science.

Gordon alumni have gained acceptance to dozens of respected medical schools around the country, and have gone on to launch successful careers in medicine, optometry, nursing, dentistry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistants, prosthetics, orthotics and more.

“Honestly, the most important preparation I received at Gordon for my current work was in forming relationships during my training there. This began with my biology professors in my freshman year, who poured so much of themselves into me at that formative time . . . dinners in their homes, one-on-one meetings and deep discussions about science and faith. Of course the material that they taught me was important to score well on my medical school entrance exams and create a foundation for further research training, but learning there was so much more than that. It was there that I fell in love with medicine and science through classes and my classmates with whom I still keep in contact.”
John Harris ’98, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate professor of dermatology; vice chair, Department of Dermatology; director, Vitiligo Clinic and Research Center; associate director, M.D./Ph.D. program
University of Massachusetts Medical Center​
2019 recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) ➔

“When it came time to apply to veterinary school my mentors sat down with me time after time, helping me as we went through my application material together, and conducting mock interviews. There were so many people on campus who were willing to help—from the career office to the writing center to my professors in the Biology Department.”
Amy Smith ’05, DVM

“Although I was met with many challenges in medical school, I was well prepared—as a scientist, learner and critical evaluator—for learning this profession. In those four years I saw the culmination of the seeds that had been planted earlier in my education. I became an explorer and a conscientious physician in a time when most people were just focusing on trying to pass.”
Jonathan Lopez ’03 
Pediatric neurologist, Seattle Children’s Hospital and University of Washington
Medical school: SUNY Downstate Medical Center 
General pediatric residency: Loma Linda University Children's Hospital
Neurology fellowship: Stanford University

“My time at Gordon allowed me to gain not only the knowledge but the skills that I needed to be a successful student and physical therapist . . . most importantly we were taught to see and care for people as a whole, and not only treat a disease process. I learned to see and treat each patient through a lens of love shown to us by Jesus—something I'm not soon to forget.”
Carolina Araujo ’18
Doctor of Physical Therapy candidate, Franklin Pierce University

“Gordon’s [pre-health] program taught me critical thinking skills necessary to be an occupational therapist, and experiences such as volunteering at the Center for Balance, Mobility and Wellness taught me hands-on skills even before I ever set foot in my graduate program. The standard that the Gordon College [pre-health] program upholds its students to is unmatched.”
Jenna Labbadia ’17
Master of Occupational Therapy candidate, American International College

“Throughout the [medical school] application process, I was asked about my significant life experiences—many of which happened during my Gordon career. These included English-teaching mission trips to Jordan, being a part of the Jerusalem and Athens Forum, and working on embouchure dystonia research with Dr. Iltis. While each of these experiences certainly look impressive on a resume, they’ve impacted me more deeply through what I’ve learned from them.”
Kevin Kozakowski ’18
Teacher, English Language Institute—China (ELIC)
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine candidate, Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine