Admissions

Overview

The School of Medical Laboratory Science guarantees placement for up to 16 students each academic year with up to 4 of the students being placed at the Cleveland Clinic Akron General facility for their clinical experience. If there is a situation where students cannot be placed at a clinical affiliate for their rotation, they will be placed at the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus for completion of their clinical experience.

The School of Medical Laboratory Science seeks student applicants who:

• Demonstrate familiarity with medical laboratory science.
• Match personal attributes with those required for practice of medical laboratory science.

Pathways to Medical Laboratory Science:

• 3 + 1 program.
• 4 + 1 program.

Applicants should also demonstrate a capacity for academic achievement:

• Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.5.
• Minimum Chemistry GPA of 2.5.
• Minimum Biology GPA of 2.5.
• Minimum Mathematics GPA of 2.5.

Desirable Attributes of Applicants:

• Logical thought processes facilitating problem solving.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Dependability and a sense of responsibility.
• Courtesy and respect in personal relationships.
• Internal Motivation.
• Integrity.
• Maturity.
• Interests or hobbies that enrich personal satisfaction.
• Ability to follow directions.
• Ability to react appropriately and to maintain poise and control under stressful conditions.
• Manual dexterity.

Cleveland Clinic is committed to providing a working and learning environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. It is the policy of Cleveland Clinic to ensure that the working and learning environment is free from discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, age, national origin, disability, military status, citizenship, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Cleveland Clinic prohibits any such discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation.

Any participant in a Cleveland Clinic educational program, including any student, trainee or employee, who may have been subject to discrimination on the basis of a protected characteristic is encouraged to make a report.

Reports of discrimination on the basis of a disability, may be made to the Section 504 Coordinator, Main Campus NA31.

Reports of discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression may be made to the Title IX Coordinator. The Coordinator can be reached via email at TitleIX@ccf.org.

Reports of discrimination on the basis of any other protected characteristic may be made to the Office of Educational Equity. The Office of Educational Equity can be reached via email at EduEquity@ccf.org.

Both the Title IX Coordinator and the Office of Educational Equity can also be reached using the contact information below.

Main Campus, JJS4-618
Mail Code JJ40
216.317.6494

In addition, Cleveland Clinic shall provide reasonable accommodations to any qualified student with a disability in order for the student to have equal access to their program. Students needing a reasonable accommodation in order to apply to or participate in the program should contact the program director as early as possible

The Cleveland Clinic and its School of Medical Laboratory Science are committed to valuing all people through our organization, regardless of background or culture. A diverse and inclusive environment for students and staff and culturally appropriate care for our patient, are essential to fulfilling our vision to be the best place for care anywhere and the best place to work in healthcare. We welcome students from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Prerequisites for Admission

• Applicants must be enrolled as a Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science (Clinical Laboratory Science) student at an affiliated school or have a Bachelor's of Science degree in chemical or biological science or medical technology/medical laboratory science, which includes the prerequisite chemistry, biology, and math coursework.
• The Cleveland Clinic School of Medical Laboratory Science has formal affiliation agreements with a number of universities and colleges. View the list of affiliated institutions.
• The applicant must have a minimum of 90 semester hours (135 quarter hours) of academic credit in a baccalaureate degree program from an accredited institution, including the following courses:
  • Chemistry: A minimum of 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) acceptable toward a chemistry major is required. A course in organic chemistry or biochemistry must be included. Biochemistry is strongly recommended.
  • Biological Sciences: A minimum of 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) acceptable toward a biology major is required. Microbiology and immunology must be included. Genetics and anatomy & physiology are strongly recommended.
  • Mathematics: One course in college mathematics is required. Remedial mathematics courses will not satisfy the mathematics requirement. A course in statistics is strongly recommended.
• Before admission to the program, students must have completed all required pre-clinical courses and be eligible for a Bachelor's of Science degree in chemical or biological science or medical technology at the completion of the clinical program, or already have a Bachelor's of Science degree in chemical or biological science or medical technology/medical laboratory science.
• Degrees granted by foreign schools must be evaluated and judged to be equivalent of U.S. degrees. Refer to the Foreign Credentials section for further details.
• All prerequisite coursework must be taken within seven (7) years of the class enrollment date.
• If deadlines are not met, we cannot guarantee the applicant will be considered for the July entrance date.
• Questions? Contact Barbara Zingale, Program Director, at MLS@ccf.org.

Technical Standards

Physical and Motor Skills

Students must:

• Have fine motor dexterity to collect patient samples, use a microscope, and operate and repair laboratory equipment.
• Have gross motor dexterity to process samples, physical mobility to collect blood specimens from patients, and stamina to tolerate a physically demanding workload.
• Be able to stand for long periods of time and maneuver through narrow spaces, if required for specimen collection.

Sensory/Observational Skills

Students must:

• Be able to participate in lab and practical demonstrations in clinical areas.
• Have visual acuity sufficient to use microscopes to perform analysis requiring distinguishing structural details and staining characteristics of cells and microorganisms.
• Be able to view computer screens for extended lengths of time.
• Be able to visually identify color and macroparticle reactions on slides, in test tubes, and in microwells.
• Be able to distinguish morphology of microbes in culture.

Communication Skills

Students must:

• Be able to communicate in English both verbally and in writing to all staff, employees, students, patients, and other healthcare workers.
• Be able to complete written assignments and participate in classroom discussions.

Intellectual and Qualitative Skills

Students must:

• Have the ability to calculate, measure, interpret, and evaluate laboratory data and other research materials.
• Have the ability to organize their work, solve problems, think critically, and make appropriate judgments.

Professionalism and Social Behavior

Students must:

• Have the ability to follow directions, manage time, and meet deadlines.
• Be able to function as part of a team and act as a professional.
• Have the ability to work under pressure, maintaining a calm demeanor and demonstrating maturity.
• Be able to adhere to the regulations of accrediting agencies, comply with safety regulations of the laboratory, and maintain a safe environment for themselves and others.
• Be able to act as a professional by wearing appropriate dress, using proper behavior, and maintaining personal honesty and integrity.

Admissions Procedures

Each applicant must submit the following information/materials as instructed before any consideration of the application will be given:

• Completed application form
• Official transcript from each institution attended
• Current resume
• Fully completed transcript evaluation form
• Non-refundable $50 application fee

The materials may be mailed or emailed to the Program Director. The application file must be completed by December 1.

The applicant will receive acknowledgement of receipt of the completed application file, as well as information regarding any additional required materials, if needed. Please wait for instructions prior to submitting any additional material.

Selection Process

• When all of the items listed above have been submitted, the applicant’s academic qualifications are evaluated.
• Applicants meeting the minimum criteria may be contacted to make an appointment for a personal interview. Please note that meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee an interview.
• Given the competitive nature of the program, applicants with GPAs of less than 2.8 may not be selected for an interview.
• Based on visitor restrictions at Cleveland Clinic facilities at the time the interviews are scheduled, the interview may be done virtually or face-to-face. Applicants will be given more details when it is scheduled
• Letters of Recommendation are not required, but will be accepted. Letters will be reviewed prior to selecting a candidate for an interview. They are not considered in the overall scoring of the applicant.
• It is the responsibility of the applicant to see that deadline for submitting applications and other application materials is met.
• After the interview, each applicant who has completed the process will be scored on non-academic characteristics, using information gathered from the application form and interview.
• The relative weights given to each source of information are:
  • Academic criteria: 60 percent of total score
  • Non-academic criteria
    • Application form: 15 percent of total score
    • Interview: 25 percent of total score
• Acceptable applicants will be ranked and selected in order of their total scores
• Cleveland Clinic guarantees placement for all students who have paid the deposit fee after having been accepted into the program.

Applicants with Foreign Credentials

Foreign credentials must be evaluated by an acceptable agency before application to the program can be accepted. The agency must generate a report that lists courses taken with their United States equivalent grade. For a list of ASCP Board of Certification approved evaluation agencies, please refer to the ASCP BOC Procedures for Qualification booklet, Appendix A – Acceptable Evaluation Agencies for Foreign Transcripts.

An original or photocopy of this report must be submitted with the application documents.

Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are required. Applicants must have a total minimum score of 75 with written and speaking sections no less than 17. The TOEFL score must be less than two (2) years old or the test will need to be repeated prior to application.

Additional Information

• A $250 non-refundable deposit is due upon acceptance into the program. This money is used to pay for the ASCP certification examination taken by all graduates.
• Students from affiliated universities must confirm that the baccalaureate degree conferred upon completion of the program is a Bachelor's of Science in chemical, physical, or biological science or medical technology/medical laboratory science.
• Individuals who are not enrolled in a Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science (Clinical Laboratory Science) program, but have their Baccalaureate of Science in chemical, physical, or biological science or medical technology (including the required prerequisite chemistry, biology, and mathematics coursework) will be considered for admission.
  • The transcript will be evaluated by the Program Director to ensure completion of the required prerequisite courses prior to the program start date.
  • Preference will be given to applicants who are in Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science programs at affiliated institutions if all other qualifications are equal.
• The Cleveland Clinic School of Medical Laboratory Science does NOT accept 3 + 1 students from non-affiliated institutions. NO exceptions.

Questions? Contact Barbara Zingale, Program Director, at MLS@ccf.org

Tuition and Fees

Program Expenses

• 4 + 1 students – $7,500 tuition fee.
• 3 + 1 students – consult with institution advisor for tuition fee details.
• $250 non-refundable deposit due upon acceptance into the program. This money is used to pay for the ASCP certification examination taken by all graduates.
• Text books – approximately $700.
• Miscellaneous supplies such as notebooks, shoes, etc.
• Medical insurance (if needed).

Financial Aid

No stipends are available, but a limited number of scholarships are available for students attending allied health programs at Cleveland Clinic.

Health Insurance

Health care and hospitalization insurance are the responsibility of the student. Proof of medical insurance must be provided on or before the first day of the clinical year.

Housing

The School of Medical Laboratory Science doesn't have housing facilities, but Cleveland Clinic’s Education Institute has a Student Housing Program you can visit for details.

Withdrawal/Refund Policy

A student may withdraw from the School of Medical Laboratory Science at any time. A written letter of intent indicating the anticipated date of withdrawal must be submitted to the Program Director. The reason for the withdrawal is not required. Once the letter of intent is received by the School, the Program Director will set up a meeting with the student to discuss the withdrawal.

The withdrawing student is responsible for returning any borrowed reference materials belonging to the School. The student must surrender his or her temporary ID badge and parking sticker prior to departure on the last day. There will be no reimbursement for any expenses incurred as a result of being in the Program. There will be no refund of tuition after the first week of the program.

The student will be asked to complete a final program evaluation prior to departure.

Students withdrawing from the program prior to or on January 31 of the clinical year will be considered withdrawn. Students withdrawing from the program after January 31 will be considered incomplete and will be included in the published outcomes measures according to NAACLS Standards.

Students not paying tuition within the agreed upon time frame will no longer be eligible to participate in the program until such time as the tuition is paid. Any decisions regarding tuition payments and due dates are at the sole discretion of the Program Director.