Randolph-Macon College President Robert R. Lindgren announced that the college has a Guaranteed Admission Agreement with the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Nursing Program. The agreement guarantees admission into the Accelerated Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing program at VCU to qualified students who have completed a bachelor’s degree at Randolph-Macon College.

“We are delighted to enter into this partnership with the VCU School of Nursing because it will allow some of Randolph-Macon’s finest students a direct and smooth transition to one of the premier nursing programs in the country,” says Lindgren. “The Guaranteed Admission Agreement is a testament to the mutual respect that exists between Randolph-Macon and VCU. We look forward to similar partnership agreements in the future between these two outstanding institutions.”

Lindgren and RMC Provost William T. Franz attended a signing ceremony and reception hosted by VCU President Michael Rao on April 12, 2013.

“We appreciate our strong partner Randolph-Macon College, who together will help us graduate more nursing students who will fulfill the American Dream,” says Rao. “The students we will graduate together are not just any students; they are innovators and entrepreneurs who are focused on excellence and will become inspired leaders for our Commonwealth.”

“We are excited about this partnership with RMC and the opportunity it provides for us to admit into our nursing program some of the brightest college students in Virginia,” says Nancy Langston, dean and professor at the VCU School of Nursing. “We look forward to having an ongoing presence at RMC and in so doing make visible to current students the picture of 21st century nursing—its centrality in health and illness care, the intellectual work of the profession and the extraordinary career opportunities and options open to nurses.”

The Agreement allows for up to five Randolph-Macon College students per year to enroll in VCU’s program if: they have a 3.25 GPA or above; they have completed the necessary prerequisite courses at RMC; and they have completed all requirements for the RMC Honors Program. No entry tests will be necessary.

This agreement follows last year’s signing of three early acceptance agreements with the medical schools at VCU, Eastern Virginia and The George Washington University. The college plans to pursue similar guaranteed admissions agreements in other allied health fields such as physical therapy, pharmacy, physician’s assistant and health administration.

The Pre-Health Program at RMC

Randolph-Macon is heavily committed to its Pre-Health Program, which has contributed to the successful health-related careers of students for more than 50 years and offers students a strong foundation for a wide variety of medical fields. In addition to a rigorous pre-health curriculum, students interested in pursuing an advanced degree in medicine, dentistry, nursing, veterinary science, physical therapy, and other health sciences benefit from RMC’s strong alumni network.

Pre-Health Day

At Pre-Health Day in April 2013, current students, prospective students, faculty, staff and alumni had the opportunity to learn about RMC’s science programs, tour facilities and network—all with an eye toward the future of the college’s flourishing pre-health program and to learn more about the college’s future science facilities.

Lindgren met with alumni who have agreed to serve as Pre-health Ambassadors for the college. These professionals will mentor and offer guidance to current students interested in healthcare careers and will guide prospective students interested in learning more about RMC’s pre-health program.

Getting The Edge on a Medical Career

Pre-Health Day also included a Medical Career Jump Start program, which was sponsored by The Edge, a four-year program provided through the Center for Career and Personal Development that prepares students for a competitive edge in the job market or with graduate-school admissions.

Current and prospective students met with representatives from Eastern Virginia Medical School, The George Washington School of Medicine, and Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Medicine for roundtable discussions about RMC’s partnerships with those schools. Students also met with recent RMC graduates who are currently in medical school.

New Science Facility

Randolph-Macon also has plans to build a new science facility designed to support its rigorous academic program. The facility will be built in two phases. Phase 1 is a new 27,000-square- foot, three-story building attached to the northwest side of the current Copley Science Center. The new building will include state-of-the-art teaching laboratories, classrooms, faculty offices, and the Office of Pre-Health Advising. Renovations are also being made to Copley Science Center and Smithey Hall.