Junior Tia Gaston came to Robert Morris University planning a future in informational sciences.

But the North Side native lasted only a few months in the computer-related major before being attracted to her true love.

"Medicine drew me right in. I've always been very good at math and science."

And now it could be easier for her to follow that dream, if she chooses to obtain an osteopathic medicine degree, thanks to a new Robert Morris partnership with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

The 4+4 program reserves 10 spots for the Moon Township university's students, beginning with next year's freshman class at the medical school's campuses in Erie or Bradenton, Fla.

"This is pretty special for all of us," said Winston Erevelles, Robert Morris School of Engineering, Mathematics and Science dean.

"One of the programs, we are most proud of is our pre-med program. It has grown into a strong, hands-on, successful program."

Now with this partnership and others, career decisions can start earlier, even while students are in high school, said Maria Kalevitch, Robert Morris School of Engineering, Mathematics and Science associate dean, who oversees the pre-med program.

Robert Morris officials plan to visit nearby high schools such as Moon Area and Cornell informing them of the program that can remove stress from a normally tense, lengthy and expensive process.

To be admitted, students must score 1250 or higher on their SAT and earn a 3.5 high school GPA.

While at Robert Morris, they must maintain a 3.4 GPA and score 24 on their MCAT, a midlevel score on the medical school admissions test.

"The students will be very prepared when they leave Robert Morris," Kalevitch said.

"We specifically designed the program around (medical school) requirements. We will be bringing the best and brightest."