Beginning with the class matriculating in Fall 2027, various Midwestern University (MWU) Programs (biomedical sciences, occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant, speech language pathology, and veterinary medicine) agree to guarantee interviews for qualified Benedictine University (BU) applicants (“Applicant(s)”) into their programs for qualified applicants, with the exception of the CGS-Downers Grove and CGS-Glendale that allows for guaranteed acceptance.
In addition, Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois offers a guaranteed interview track for qualified Master of Science in Integrative Physiology students and Bachelor of Science students at Benedictine University.
Requirements for Midwestern University Programs
As a condition precedent to receiving an interview for MWU Programs, Applicants must meet all the requirements set forth below before the academic year commences for the incoming class:
- Have received, or be on track to complete and provide proof of completion by matriculation at MWU, a baccalaureate degree from BU, if required by the program, or the BU Master of Science in Integrative Physiology; and,
- Have completed the minimum number of the prerequisite courses (as stated in the MWU Catalog) in the prescribed subject areas at a regionally accredited college or university with a grade of “C” (or its equivalent) or better before the program begins; and,
- Have the ability to successfully fulfill all technical standards for the desired program; and,
- Demonstrate a good understanding of the desired profession and a sincere interest in a career in the field, including shadowing at least one (1) health care professional prior to admission; and,
- Medically-related experiences that indicate sufficient exposure for candidates to make informed decisions about medical careers; and,
- Personal integrity and sound moral character; and,
- Reflect a people/service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities; and,
- Abide by the MWU Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy; and,
- Pass a criminal background check; and,
- Meet all other requirements set forth by MWU, including requirements documented in the catalog, student handbook, and this Agreement.
Additional considerations
International students
Must complete a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours of coursework in the United States. Of the thirty (30) semester hours, fifteen (15) hours must be in the sciences, six (6) hours must be in non-remedial English composition, and three (3) hours in Speech/Communication. Additional requirements for international students that have been accepted into Midwestern University Programs are included in the matriculation agreement. These requirements are in addition to any specific MWU Program requirement.
Final decisions
The final decision on acceptance for Applicants shall be up to the sole discretion of the Program Admissions Committee, subject to approval by the Dean and/or Program Director.
Limitations
- No Guarantee: This Admissions and Articulation Agreement does not guarantee admission to Applicants and does not imply that Applicants will receive favorable treatment from the MWU Programs. MWU reserves the right to deny Applicants admission.
- Non-Exclusive: The arrangements contained in this Admissions and Articulation Agreement are non-exclusive. MWU and BU may enter into similar agreements with other entities.
- Other Colleges/Programs: This Admissions and Articulation Agreement does not apply to MWU colleges and programs not expressly identified herein.
- Use of Intellectual Property: BU and its affiliates will obtain written approval and authorization from the MWU Office of University Relations prior to using the MWU’s name, marks, copyrights, or any other intellectual property, for any purpose. BU shall provide drafts of all promotional materials to MWU for review and approval prior to use.
- No Third-Party Beneficiary: This Agreement is intended for the benefit of BU and MWU only, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other person or entity, including the Applicant.
Although we anticipate a long and mutually satisfying relationship between our two educational institutions, this agreement may be discontinued for any reason providing that written notice is given twelve (12) months prior to such discontinuation and that those students who have been accepted under this agreement be permitted to complete their course of study.
Participating MWU Colleges/Programs
- College of Dental Medicine-Illinois
- College of Graduate Studies
- Biomedical Sciences
- College of Health Sciences
- Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, and Speech Language Pathology
- College of Osteopathic Medicine
- College of Veterinary Medicine
Program Specific Requirements
Review specific requirements for your program of interest.
Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois (CDMI) will offer guaranteed interviews in September of each interview year cycle to up to eight students enrolled in Benedictine University's Master of Science in Integrative Physiology (M.S.I.P.) program, and up to ten students completing or graduated from the College of Science Bachelor of Science degree programs who apply as traditional applicants to Midwestern University's Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) program.
To qualify for the interview, a student must:
- Meet all admission requirements of the CDMI program.
- Apply for admission to Midwestern University via AADSAS by July 15 following completion of the Master of Science in Integrative Physiology (MSIP) degree, or the summer before their last academic year of the Bachelors of Science degree at Benedictine University, or later.
- Have a cumulative undergraduate or graduate (MSIP) GPA of 3.2 or higher.
- Have no final course grade less than a "C" in the Benedictine University's Master of Science in Integrative Physiology program or the Bachelors of Science degree program.
- Have completed at least four upper division (>3000-level) lecture courses in the College of Science.
- Have completed the DAT within the last 12 months prior to application.
- Exhibit qualities of character embraced by the dental profession.
- Be recommended by a letter to the Dean of the College of Dental Medicine from Program Director of MSIP for the Masters students, or the Director of Pre-professional Programs (with written input from the College of Science Health Science Recommendation Committee, or a College of Science faculty member who knows the student well).
- Patient contact experience is highly recommended, particularly to demonstrate a discernment process to enter the dental profession.
- All applicants must meet Midwestern University CDMI technical standards, which is essential to delineate the psychomotor, cognitive, and affective skills needed for matriculation into, continuation in and graduation from the educational program
- If accepted into the program, must meet all other enrollment requirements including but not limited to medical, criminal background and substance abuse clearance.
In addition to the requirements set forth in section “Requirements For All MWU Programs” above, Applicants must also meet the following requirements on the Admission below to receive a guaranteed acceptance with CGS-Glendale and/or CGS-Downers Grove programs:
Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences
- Achieve a minimum of a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.00 = A scale) in the respective Applicant’s undergraduate coursework (with a 3.00 cumulative grade point average in sciences); and,
- Complete all prerequisite courses; and,
- Complete a PostbacCAS application by June 1st. If PostbacCAS is closed, please submit an application directly to Midwestern University. For more information contact Admissions in Downers Grove (admissil@midwestern.edu) or Glendale (admissaz@midwestern.edu); and,
- Provide one (1) letter of recommendation that can provide supportive comments regarding the academic readiness of the Applicant.
- Achieve a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.00 = A scale) in the respective Applicant’s undergraduate coursework (with a 3.00 cumulative grade point average in sciences); and,
- Complete a PostbacCAS application by June 1st. If PostbacCAS is closed, please submit an application directly to Midwestern University. For more information please contact Admissions in Downers Grove (admissil@midwestern.edu); and,
- Provide one (1) letter of recommendation that can provide supportive comments regarding the academic readiness of the Applicant.
In addition to the requirements set forth in section “Requirements For All MWU Programs” above, Applicants must also meet the following requirements to receive an interview with CHS-Glendale and/or CHS-Downers Grove:
Doctor of Occupational Therapy | Master of Occupational Therapy
- Achieve a minimum of a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.00 = A scale) in the respective Applicant’s undergraduate coursework; and,
- Must complete an online application to OTCAS website by September 1st; and,
- The Applicant should refer to the OTCAS application instructions for specific details about completing the application, required documents, and processing time.
- Must submit a minimum of two (2) letters of recommendation directly to OTCAS. The Office of Admissions will only accept letters of recommendation received directly from OTCAS. It is preferred that one (1) of the submitted letters is written by an occupational therapist who has supervised or mentored the Applicant or is a professional who can speak to the Applicant’s motivation, experiences in occupational therapy or readiness for entering the Occupational Therapy Program. The second letter can be written by either a college professor who taught the Application or a prehealth advisor who knows the Applicant well.
- The Applicant should refer to OTCAS application instructions for specific guidelines and requirements for submitting letters of recommendation.
- Achieve a minimum of a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.00 = A scale) in the respective Applicant’s undergraduate coursework (with a 3.10 cumulative grade point average in sciences); and,
- Must complete an online application to PTCAS website by September 1st; and,
- The PTCAS application includes instructions for specific details about completing the application, required documents, and processing time.
- Must submit a minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation directly to PTCAS. It is preferred that one (1) letter is written by a licensed physical therapist. The other two (2) letters can be written by prehealth advisory committee, prehealth advisor, or a college professor who knows the Applicant well.
- Applicants should refer to the PTCAS application instructions for specific guidelines and requirements for submitting letters of recommendation.
- Achieve a minimum of a 3.60 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.00 = A scale) in the respective Applicant’s undergraduate coursework (with a 3.70 cumulative grade point average in sciences).
- Complete a minimum of 500 patient contact hours.
- Complete the CASPER SJT examination at the time of application.
- Achieve a minimum of a 3.45 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.00 = A scale) in the respective Applicant’s undergraduate coursework (with a 3.00 cumulative grade point average in sciences); and,
- Complete a Centralized Application Service for Communication Science & Disorders Programs (CSDCAS) application by March 1st; and,
- Provide two (2) letters of recommendation from individuals who can comment on the academic, clinical, and professional experiences of the Applicant.
In addition to the requirements set forth in section “Requirements For All MWU Programs” above, Applicants must also meet the following requirements to receive an interview with Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM) and/or Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM):
- Achieve a minimum of a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.00 = A scale) in the respective Applicant’s undergraduate coursework (with a 3.60 cumulative grade point average in sciences); and
- Receive a score of 504 or higher on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) within the three (3) years prior to anticipated matriculation at MWU; and,
- Complete an online application at the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Services (AACOMAS). More information can be found on the AACOMAS website.
In addition to the requirements set forth in section “Requirements For All MWU Programs” above, Applicants must also meet the following requirements to receive an interview with College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM):
- Achieve a minimum of a 3.40 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.00 = A scale) in the respective Applicant’s undergraduate coursework; and,
- Must complete an online application at the Centralized Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) website by September 15th; and,
- Must submit a minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation from professionals who know the Applicant well to VMCAS, one (1) letter must be provided from a veterinarian; and,
- Provide to VMCAS official transcripts from every undergraduate, graduate, or professional school attended. Each transcript must be signed and sealed by the registrar of each institution.
Learn More
Midwestern University is your gateway to a comprehensive healthcare education, supported by dedicated faculty mentors, cutting-edge facilities, immersive clinical opportunities, and a specialized focus on One Health.