Medical Schools with Early Assurance Programs

What is an Early Assurance Program (EAP)?

An early assurance medical program is a program that allows high-achieving undergraduates to apply and be accepted to medical school at the end of their second year or the beginning of their third year of undergrad, often prior to even taking the MCAT exam. Students who are ready to dedicate themselves to a career as a medical professional and who have demonstrated excellence in their coursework and community leadership by the end of their second year of university can apply to medical schools with early assurance programs and secure a seat there well before graduation. Often, Early Assurance Program matriculants are able to bypass some of the traditional medical school requirements, like applying and interviewing at multiple schools. In fact, there are even some medical schools that don't require the MCAT. This is intended to free up time for committed and high-achieving students to dedicate to their education, both in terms of focusing on their required courses and in exploring the broader range of knowledge through breadth courses and personal or professional development.

Requirements for Medical Schools with early assurance programs 

The requirements for application vary from school to school, so you must look into the medical schools with early assurance programs that interest you to see if you are eligible. However, in general, most medical schools with early assurance programs  require you to have at least 5 pre-med courses completed by the end of your second year of undergrad. Some medical schools with early assurance programs require that you be selected for application by your pre-health advisor. As well, your overall academic performance during those first two years is critically important, so high overall and science GPAs are generally required. You’re trying to convince an admissions committee that you are prepared to commit to a life as a medical practitioner much earlier than many of your peers, so demonstrating that you have the stellar academic abilities and refined personal qualities necessary to make that commitment at such an early stage is paramount.

As well, you’ll have to go through a similar application process for med school, including submitting a medical school personal statement, medical school secondary essays (as applicable), letters of recommendation, demonstrating a thorough history of service through volunteer, work, and extra-curricular activities, and so on (note that some Early Assurance Programs accept applications through AMCAS, others require direct application through the institution). This means that, while you’re achieving academic excellence during those first two years of undergrad, you should also be gaining experience by shadowing a doctor, volunteering and community service, getting research and clinical experience, and so on.

The school may also require you to submit your high school transcripts and your SAT or ACT scores. Some medical schools with early assurance programs allow students to bypass the MCAT altogether, reasoning that a student accepted to an EAP can then spend the time that would be typically spent preparing for the MCAT on exploring areas of interest and experiencing a more robust university experience as a result. Relieving the pressure that comes with applying to and interviewing at multiple medical schools and preparing for and taking the MCAT allows students to make the most out of their time as undergraduates, exploring the world of intellectual inquiry prior to specializing in medical school. Keep in mind that you are most likely going to face the same medical school interview questions at your interview as traditional premed students.

Want some more information on physician shadowing? Here’s a great video on how to ask to shadow a doctor:

Eligibility for medical schools with early assurance programs can also depend on the policy of the school in question. Some medical schools will only open EAPs to students at their own school or those coming from programs linked to that school. There are schools that will accept applicants from any university, and a list of EAP schools and their policies will be provided later in this post.

If you are accepted to a medical school with early assurance programs, note that this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re signing a contract stating that you will attend the school that accepts you (do note that some schools will require such a binding agreement, so – again – ensure you’ve checked the specific policy of the school and program to which you’re applying). Generally, for those schools that don’t require a binding agreement, you’ll have until the beginning of your senior year of undergrad to determine whether or not you want to remain with that program or apply elsewhere.

If you do decide to apply elsewhere, you will have to go through the standard application process – receiving admission offers through an Early Assurance Program in no way guarantees that you’ll be accepted elsewhere, and such acceptance won’t really impact your application to other schools (positively or negatively). As well, if you apply to an Early Assurance Program at your school and are not accepted, you are still able to apply through the standard application process, and your lack of acceptance to the EAP will not negatively impact your application.

Obviously, Early Assurance Medical Programs are highly competitive. The number of students accepted through EAPs varies widely from school to school, with some accepting up to half of a year’s class through EAPs, and others accepting a mere handful of students through such programs. As well, some schools will require a specific curriculum following acceptance through an EAP, including summer enrichment programs or mandatory research projects.

Medical Schools with Early Assurance Programs

Note that the information below is meant to be a general guide only. As this information changes frequently, it is imperative that you verify any and all information with the school to which you are considering applying. Additionally, please note that this list may not be exhaustive, as new programs are frequently implemented, and existing programs are sometimes removed.

Albany Medical College Early Assurance Program

• Enrollment policy: Eligibility includes Amherst College, Bowdoin College, College of the Holy Cross, Hamilton College, Haverford College, Middlebury College, State University of New York at Albany, Swarthmore College, Union College, and Williams College.
• GPA requirements: Overall GPA, 3.5; Science GPA, 3.5, at time of application and to be maintained throughout undergrad.
• MCAT required: No
• Other notes or restrictions:
• Applicants must have an SAT score of 1400 or higher, or an ACT score of 31 or higher. 
• Students must complete a minimum of 2 of 4 required science courses (biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics) by the end of sophomore year. 
• Accepting an offer to this program is binding, and students are expected to refrain from applying to, or accepting offers from, other medical schools.
• Due date (if available): Mid-June

Boston University Early Medical School Selection Program

Enrollment policy: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Written agreements exist with: Clark-Atlanta, Dillard, Hampton, Morehouse, Morgan State, Morris Brown, North Carolina Central, Spelman, Tougaloo, University of the Incarnate Word, University of Texas at El Paso, University of the Virgin Islands, and Virginia Union

• GPA requirements: Not stated
• MCAT required: Yes, no minimum requirement stated
• Other notes or restrictions: Program emphasis is on underrepresented minorities. 
• Students are required to complete at least 1 year of biology, with lab, and 1 year of chemistry, with lab, at minimum. 
• Students accepted to this EAP will remain at their undergraduate school through junior year, spending summers taking courses at BU. They will then go to BU during their senior year, where they will live in campus residence.
• Due date (if available): Not stated

Brody School of Medicine Early Assurance Program

• Enrollment policy: East Carolina University Honors College applicants who are legal residents of North Carolina. Eligibility also includes the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, the University of North Carolina Pembroke, and the North Carolina Honors College.
• GPA requirements: Overall GPA, 3.5; Science GPA, 3.5
• MCAT required: Yes, a minimum score of 500 or the current standard MCAT for Regular Admissions for the year the student applies to EAP. 
• Other notes or restrictions: EAP students are advised to complete all pre-med requirements by the end of third year. As well, students are required to take 9 credit hours of courses in humanities, social sciences, and/or fine arts; participate in groups and enrichment activities in each year of undergraduate studies; and maintain eligibility for the Honors College throughout their four years of study.
• Due date (if available): Not specified

Dartmouth University Geisel School of Medicine Early Assurance Program

• Enrollment policy: Eligibility includes Dartmouth College students.
• GPA requirements: 3.5 by end of sophomore summer, and an overall math/science GPA of 3.5 or higher by the end of sophomore summer
• MCAT required: Not required for application, but accepted students must take the MCAT before matriculating and score a minimum of 503 or higher.
• Other notes or restrictions: Accepting an offer to this program is binding, and students are expected to refrain from applying to, or accepting offers from, other medical schools.
• Due date (if available): Early October

Drexel University College of Medicine Early Assurance Program

• Enrollment policy: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and must have a diploma from a U.S. high school. No transfer students are eligible.
• GPA requirements: Overall GPA, 3.6; Science GPA, 3.6. No grades lower than C are permitted (including C-).
• MCAT required: Yes. The MCAT is required prior to matriculation into the College of Medicine. Students must receive, in a single examination, minimum MCAT scores of 128 in the following sections: Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems; Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems; and the Psychological, Social, and Behavioral Foundations of Behavior. The subset score requirement for the Critical Analysis and Reasoning section is 127. Or, receive a minimum total score of 513 with minimum MCAT scores of 127 in the following sections: Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems; Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems; and Psychological, Social and Behavioral Foundations of Behavior; and a minimum score of 126 for the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Section. Please note that Drexel College of Medicine retains the right to change these scores. 
• Other notes or restrictions: Accepting an offer to this program is binding, and students are expected to refrain from applying to, or accepting offers from, other medical schools. Students who wish to apply to other med schools must relinquish their provisional acceptance to Drexel’s EAP.
• This is a BA/BS/MD Program, where students pursue a combined degree program that also offers provisional early acceptance to the medicine program. Selection takes place in the senior year of high school.
• Candidates must score at least 1420 on the SAT (for Evidence-based Reading and Writing and Math sections) or a minimum ACT composite score of 32.
• Due date (if available): Mid November – the application date is the same as the application date for undergraduate study at Drexel, as this is a combined program.

Georgetown University School of Medicine Early Assurance Program

• Enrollment policy: Georgetown undergraduates only; transfer students are not eligible to apply.
• GPA requirements: Overall GPA, 3.6; Science GPA, 3.6. Earning a C or below in any course results in disqualification.
• MCAT required: No
• Other notes or restrictions: Must be in fourth semester at Georgetown and completed 4 of 5 pre-med course sequences by the end of May (one of the four completed courses must be Organic Chemistry).
• Cannot withdraw from any course related to major.
• Changes to proposal (submitted as part of the application) or coursework plans must be pre-approved by School of Medicine.
• Due date (if available): Pre-application interviews and related preparations usually begin in November, with the finalized application package due in late-March.

Hofstra/Northwell Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine, Zucker Pipeline Program

• Enrollment policy: Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. This program is intended to bring in students from groups historically underrepresented in medicine and economically disadvantaged students.
• GPA requirements: Overall GPA, 3.2; Science GPA not specified. Students ranking in the top 10% of their high school class will receive strong consideration.
• MCAT required: Yes, no minimum recommended score noted.
• Other notes or restrictions: Admitted students will receive a $500 annual stipend.
• This is a 3-year, summer intensive program for academically excellent students interested in a career as a medical professional. Upon completion of the 3-year program, students will be directly matriculated into the medical school.
• Students must have a composite score of 1200 or higher on the SAT, or a score of 25 or higher on the ACT.
• To advance to the second year of this program, students must maintain a 3.3 GPA; to advance to the third year, a 3.5 GPA is strongly encouraged.
• Due date (if available): Early April, though priority is given to students who apply by March 2.

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, FlexMed Program

• Enrollment policy: To apply, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident entering your second year of college as a full-time student, working towards your first bachelor’s degree at an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada.
• GPA requirements: Overall GPA 3.5. Students are expected to maintain a 3.5 GPA and achieve a B or higher in all required courses.
• MCAT required: No
• Other notes or restrictions: Applicants must have completed two semesters of college Biology, two semesters of college Chemistry, or two semesters of college Physics prior to January 15 of their application year.
• Accepting an offer to this program is binding, and students are expected to refrain from applying to, or accepting offers from, other medical schools. Once accepted, students will have to withdraw from Icahn if they wish to apply to other medical schools.
• ACT and/or SAT is required
• Due date (if available): Mid-January

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Early Assurance Program

• Enrollment policy: Eligibility includes Alma College, Aquinas College, Calvin College, Grand Rapids Community College/Grand Valley State University, Grand Valley State University, Hope College, Kettering University, Lake Superior State University, Michigan Technological University, Northern Michigan University, Saginaw Valley State University, and the University of Michigan-Flint.
• GPA requirements: Overall GPA, 3.0; Science GPA, 3.0. Minimum 2.0 for all pre-med courses.
• MCAT required: Yes.
• Other restrictions: Prioritizes those who plan to practice in an underserved region or with an underserved population.
• Preference is given to those who are first-generation college students, who graduated from a low-income high school, who are eligible for needs-based grants, and/or who express particular interest in a high-need medical specialization.
• Due date (if available): Not stated

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Early Assurance Program

• Enrollment policy: None stated
• GPA requirements: Overall and science GPA of 3.7 or higher, maintained throughout undergraduate studies.
• MCAT required: No
• Other notes or restrictions: To be eligible, students must apply only to the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine as their first choice school and must matriculate to Feinberg if accepted. Accepting an offer to this program is binding, and students are expected to refrain from applying to, or accepting offers from, other medical schools.
• Due date (if available): Mid-December

Penn State College of Medicine Early Assurance Program

• Enrollment policy: Eligibility includes Eberly College of Science.
• GPA requirements: Overall GPA, 3.5 at the time of application.
• MCAT required: Yes. The MCAT must be taken in the junior year, and students are expected to perform at or above a composite score of 507.
• Other notes or restrictions: Applicants must have an SAT score of 1360 or higher.
• As well, students must complete 8 of 10 required math and science courses prior to application.
• Due date (if available): NA

SUNY Upstate Medical University Early Assurance Program

• Enrollment policy: Binghamton University and Syracuse University
• GPA requirements: Overall GPA, 3.5; Science GPA, 3.5. Students must maintain this GPA in each semester (decimals are not rounded up), and no grade for a course can be lower than a C.
• MCAT required: No
• Other notes or restrictions: Students who accept admission into the EAP are expected to refrain from applying to, or accepting offers from, other medical schools.
• Applicants must have a combined SAT score of 1360 or higher, or an ACT score of 29 Composite or higher.
• Due date (if available): NA

Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine Early Assurance Program

• Enrollment policy: Eligibility includes Temple University, Washington & Jefferson College, DeSales University, Lehigh University, Moravian College, Muhlenberg College.
• GPA requirements: Overall GPA, 3.6; Science GPA, 3.6 at the end of junior year. No grade can be below a B-.
• MCAT required: Yes, receive a minimum MCAT total score of 509 with no individual section less than 126 on a single test date.
• Other notes or restrictions: Students interested in linking through the EAP are nominated by undergrad pre-med advisors.
• Students must complete 2 semesters of chemistry, organic chemistry, and biology for consideration; by the end of junior year, students must have completed 2 semesters in biology, 4 in chemistry, 2 in physics, and 2 in mathematics.
• Students must also complete 50 hours of physician shadowing or related experiences and 50 hours of community service.
• Accepting an offer to this program is binding, and students are expected to refrain from applying to, or accepting offers from, other medical schools.
• Due date (if available): Not stated

Tufts University School of Medicine Early Assurance Program

• Enrollment policy: Only Tufts University sophomores are eligible.
• Maine Track at Tufts: Students who are sophomores at Bates College, Bowdoin College, Colby College, and all University of Maine campuses are eligible to apply. This program is for legal residents of Maine or have strong ties to Maine who plan to pursue a career practicing rural medicine.
• GPA requirements: Overall GPA, 3.7; Science GPA, 3.7. Must score minimum B+ in all courses in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics (including labs); must score minimum B in all other courses.
• MCAT required: No
• Other notes or restrictions: By the time of application, students must have completed at least 2 semesters of biology, 2 semesters of general chemistry, and 1 semester of organic chemistry. Three of these courses must be completed by the end of fall semester in sophomore year. AP credit will not count toward these courses, and all courses must be completed at Tufts.
• Competitive applicants generally have a combined SAT score of 1300 or higher, or an ACT Composite score above 30.
• Due date (if available): Not listed, but usually in February

University at Buffalo SUNY Jacobs School of Medicine Early Assurance Program

• Enrollment policy: University at Buffalo, D’Youville College, Canisius College, Tougaloo College, and Niagara University. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
• The Early Opportunity Program in Medicine program serves to identify and recruit qualified applicants at an early stage in their undergraduate development. Similar to our AMSNY Post-Baccalaureate program, the EOPIM is designed to expand the pool of economically and educationally disadvantaged students in medical school.
• GPA requirements: Overall GPA, 3.5; Science GPA, 3.5. 3.5 GPA must be maintained in each semester.
• MCAT required: Yes. No specified requirement, but the median score of previous matriculants is 510.
• Due date (if available): March 1.

University of Chicago Loyola Stritch School of Medicine Early Assurance Program

• Information is not publicly available, but students of Loyola should inquire if they are interested.

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine R.O.S.E Program (Research, Observation, Service, Education):

• Enrollment policy: Eligibility is for Ohio residents and certain Indiana or Kentucky counties with Ohio reciprocity; students may attend college anywhere in the U.S., as long as they are residents of Ohio or certain Indiana or Kentucky counties.
• GPA requirements: Overall GPA, 3.50; Science GPA, 3.50.
• MCAT required: Yes, minimum score of 507
• Other notes or restrictions: If accepted, students commit to spending two summers conducting research at the University of Cincinnati COM.
• Students must have completed a full year of biology and general chemistry (with labs), and at least one term of organic chemistry by the time of application.
• Due date (if available): December 2nd

University of Florida Medical Honors Program

• Enrollment policy: Program is open to both residents and non-residents of Florida. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
•  GPA requirements: Overall GPA: 3.5; Science GPA: 3.7
• MCAT required: No
• Other notes or restrictions: This is an accelerated 7-year BS/MD program for students who have demonstrated academic excellence during their freshmen and sophomore years of university.
• Applicants must have completed biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry (with labs for all three), prior to application.
• Demonstrated commitment to volunteering and community service are also required.
• As well, foreign language proficiency is required for applicants to this program.
• Due date (if available): January 15

Rochester Early Medical Scholars Program 

• Enrollment policy: Eligibility includes Amherst College, Bowdoin College, Carleton College, Colgate University, CUNY Hunter, Hamilton College, Haverford College, Middlebury College, Swarthmore College, Williams College, Xavier University of Louisiana. Students apply in May-June following sophomore year.
• GPA requirements: Overall GPA, 3.6 or higher. 3.6 GPA for biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
• MCAT required: No. Students are also not required to submit SAT or ACT scores for admission in the EAP.
• Other notes or restrictions: Has an optional summer research program where student work with a research mentor.
• Accepting an offer to this program is binding, and students are expected to refrain from applying to, or accepting offers from, other medical schools. Applying elsewhere results in forfeiture of conditional acceptance to University of Rochester EAP.
• Due date (if available): Applications accepted from early May to the end of June

University of Toledo College of Medicine MedStart Program

• Enrollment policy: Applicants must be at the beginning of their junior year of undergrad studies at an accredited U.S. college or university.
• GPA requirements: Overall GPA, 3.7; Science GPA, 3.5
• MCAT required: No
• Other notes or restrictions: Accepting an offer to this program is binding, and students are expected to refrain from applying to, or accepting offers from, other medical schools. Submission of an AMCAS application to another med school will be considered a withdrawal from the MedStart program.
• Applicants should have a minimum of one year of general chemistry (with lab), one year of organic chemistry (with lab), one year of biology or one year of physics.
• Applicants are recommended to have an ACT score of 30 or higher or an SAT score of 1350 or higher.
• Due date (if available): October 1

Wake Forest School of Medicine Early Assurance Program

• Enrollment policy: Wake Forest undergraduates only
• GPA requirements: Overall GPA, 3.2; Science GPA, 3.2 (verified every semester)
• MCAT required: Yes, a score of 509 or higher; EAP acceptance is conditional upon completing the MCAT prior to matriculation.
• Other notes or restrictions: Accepting an offer to this program is binding, and students are expected to refrain from applying to, or accepting offers from, other medical schools.
• Due date (if available): Mid-October

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