RIVERSIDE, Calif. (May 29, 2015) –College students who hope to attend medical school are frequently stressed by juggling school work, studying for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and filling out medical school applications.

California Baptist University has a prescription that may help ease that stress.

CBU recently signed an agreement with the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) that would allow qualified students to achieve early acceptance into their medical, pharmacy or dental school. LECOM is the largest medical school in the U.S., with its main campus in Erie, Penn.

Starting this fall, incoming freshmen or sophomores can apply for the program.

CBU students don't need to major in anything specific. However, they do have to work through the department of health sciences to negotiate the process, said Dr. Wayne Fletcher, assistant professor of health science.

Fletcher deals with students who are applying to medical school in their senior year. He said early acceptance gives students peace of mind.

"It takes a lot of pressure off of students," he said of the early acceptance. "I think that's the biggest incentive for students."

The students apply online and go through an interview process. Once accepted, students must maintain their grades before enrolling in LECOM's program. LECOM has guaranteed CBU students five seats per year.

LECOM contacted Fletcher about the program.

"We have found that institutions with a religious affiliation often have mission statements and a philosophy that parallels LECOM's commitment to professionalism, a strong work ethic and moral  principles," said John Wojtkielewicz, LECOM's institutional director of undergraduate affiliations. "These schools also have strong academic standards that generally lead to their students being successful in our programs. Therefore, we reached out to California Baptist."

For CBU, the agreement allows the university to help students live their purpose, Fletcher said.

"How can you do that better than providing students with a window, an opportunity to go directly into what they wanted to go?" he asked.