Frequently Asked Questions

Throughout the application process, prospective students frequently inquire about admission requirements. 

Listed below are the most frequently asked questions regarding the School of Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) clinical laboratory education program.

When are the deadline dates to apply for program admission to the MLS program and what is the GPA requirement?

• Applications are accepted from April 15th through September 15th of the previous year for the following year January and July admission
• A minimum GPA of 2.7 is required - both science and overall. Exceptions may be allowed upon discussion with the applicant at the interview

How do I go about applying to the MLS program? I graduated with a degree in biology and wanted to know if there are any specific classes I need to take before applying to the program?

• Please review the academic requirements section of our webpage
• After review of the above-mentioned webpage and FAQ’s, feel free to email any other unanswered questions

I saw that three recommendation letters were needed, one from an employer and two from science or MLS faculty to apply to the program. I just wanted to ask if the faculty had to be a professor, or could it be an advisor? 

• We will accept a recommendation from an advisor as long as we have at least one from a professor

I understand that the application asks for three references from an advisor, professor, and employer, but I have yet to be employed so I would be short one reference. Should I get another reference from an advisor/instructor, ask an organizer from volunteer work, or omit the third reference in my application? More specifically, what would your program prefer?

• We will accept a third recommendation from an advisor, professor or your volunteer work organizer in lieu of an employer

When writing personal statements for the application is there a certain length that is preferred for each question? 

• There is no word count for the personal statements. We prefer written personal statements that are no longer than 1-3 paragraphs per question. Full page statements are too wordy and time consuming to read

I have a bachelor’s degree in forensic science and a minor in chemistry which includes all the required courses listed on the program website, and the forensic degree itself focuses on principles of biology, chemistry, and instrumentation with lab components and later applying those concepts to evidentiary analysis. I was wondering if this degree is acceptable to the program?

• Yes, given your degree is in a science field with 16 semester credits in biology and 16 semester credits in chemistry including laboratory courses.

I will be graduating with a bachelor of science degree in neuroscience, and I have been on the pre-med track for the past couple of years, but I am unsure whether I want to follow that pathway now. Can I apply to this program with this type of major?

• Yes, given your degree is in a science field with 16 semester credits in biology and 16 semester credits in chemistry including laboratory courses

Do the pre-requisite courses need to be completed before applying to the program or before the program begins? 

• All pre-requisite coursework must be completed with supporting transcript provided to the program director before week 1 orientation

Regarding the microbiology pre-requisite course, is there a specific institution that I would need to take these through?

• There is no specific academic institution requirement for the microbiology courses

I have decided to apply to both the 26-week and 44-week programs. Should I submit two separate applications with two processing fees, or will you accept one application and processing fee for both programs?

• The 26-week program will become inactive effective January 2025
• One (1) application for either 46-week session (winter or summer) and one (1) processing fee is acceptable

Regarding the Introduction to clinical laboratory science pre-requisite course, is it required that I take them through Oakland University, Eastern Michigan University or Michigan State University?

• Yes, we prefer that applicants complete an in-person introduction to clinical laboratory science course at an area university because of its laboratory component. These applicants will receive higher preference in the match process
• We will consider an alternative online course via www.study.com if there are extenuating circumstances. Please contact the program director for details

I have a question regarding alternative courses at Michigan State University to satisfy the introduction to clinical science lab requirement. Would BLD 213L and BLD 313L be acceptable?

• Yes, we would accept BLD 2131 and BLD 313 together as an acceptable alternative to the CLS introduction requirement

How do you prefer I send in my application for the MTIMPM MLS program and processing fee?

• U.S. mail is preferred - Regular or Priority Mail only
• IMPORTANT: Please do not send it via certified mail
• Processing fee is payable via check or money order. NO cash please
• Applications can also be emailed with payment of the processing fee via check or money order at the time of the interview

What should I do if I do not hear back from you regarding my application?

• Please be patient. We assure you that you will receive a response one way or the other. In addition, please communicate with us using one (1) email address only – not a school and personal email address together. Using two different emails causes conflict and increased time in tracking email replies to the applicant

What if I am unable to make the scheduled interview appointment due to illness or other personal emergency?

• Please contact our office right away if you are sick or experience any emergency, either through email (preferred) or telephone to reschedule your appointment

What is the cost of tuition for the medical science laboratory program?

• This information is provided on the program fees and scholarships page
• The program tuition cost is $5,000 (non-refundable) and is due the first day of the month of the scheduled program start date
• However, the program tuition may be waived for a 2-year work agreement. Employment can be at any Corewell Health campus and any shift, full-time or part-time. The program director will provide additional details during the interview

Are there scholarship opportunities available for students to offset the cost of tuition?

• The program does not provide any stipend or scholarship
• Scholarships are available from many different laboratory professional organizations
• For more information, please refer to the program fees and scholarships page

For additional information, contact Nancy Ramirez, School of Medical Laboratory Science program director.

Please provide full name, city/state of residence, university attended, degree/program of study, graduation date and how you learned about our program.