The Biology Department has been conscientious to assess the efficacy of our program by regularly testing graduating majors via the Educational Testing Service (ETS) Biology Exam, a national standardized exam administered through the same organization that performs the SAT and GRE (Graduate Record Exam).   We also assess ourselves through specific pre-professional exams such as the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).   And the results?  See for yourself below.  And, if those aren't enough, visit our Alumni Webpage to see where our students go.

 

ETS Results

The Educational Testing Service Biology Exam is taken by more than 15,000 students from more than 275 institutions on an annual basis.  Our four-year class average places WOU in the 90th percentile overall.  In three of the last four years, WOU student classes have ranked above 95% overall.   Specific performance in all each category - cell biology, molecular biology, organismal biology, and ecology - is comparably high.   The number of seniors who take the exam annually ranges from 10-30.
 
 

 

 
 

MCAT Results

Over the last five years of assessment, WOU Biology majors who took the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), the entrance exam for medical school, consistently ranked ABOVE the national average.   The number of students who take the exam annually ranges from 2-6.