Hunter Linkage Program (Undergraduate)
Post-Baccalaureate Cornell Linkage Program
Stonybrook Linkage Program
Rochester Early Assurance Program (Undergraduate)

Hunter Linkage Program (Undergraduate)

Purpose of the Program: The purpose of the Hunter-Weill Cornell Linkage Program is to provide highly qualified Hunter students with an opportunity to further prepare for medical school by participating in a research project at the Medical College and having the opportunity to be counseled during their premedical education. The Program seeks students who plan a career in medicine and who have excellent academic preparation and motivation. The selection criteria include emotional maturity, personal depth, commitment to others' well being, ethical and moral integrity, and meaningful participation in extra-curricular activities, on-or off-campus. Upon successful completion of the Program, applicants may apply to Weill Cornell Medical College as Special Program candidates.

Acceptance to the Linkage program provides the student with access to Weill Cornell resources. It does not guarantee or assure admission to the Medical College. Students in the program must meet the same admissions criteria as other applicants.

Description of the Program
Separate programs exist for undergraduate students and post-baccalaureate students. In each program, students spend two semesters participating in a research program at the Medical College.

Undergraduate Program
Students are counseled and monitored by the Hunter College prehealth office beginning in the fall of their sophomore year at Hunter College. To remain competitive in the program, students are must maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA.

At the end of the sophomore year, the prehealth office at Hunter College screens students and a selected number are recommended to the Medical College for participation in the program (Phase 1).

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Phase 1. (July of Sophomore Year)
The Medical College receives a file for each applicant recommended by Hunter College, consisting of Hunter College transcripts, a personal statement, a curriculum vitae, and a premed packet with letters of recommendation.

Two weeks after receipt of the candidate files, the Medical College will let Hunter College know which applicants it has selected for an initial interview. The interview addresses the student's interest and motivation for medicine, interpersonal and communication skills, and suitability for a research experience. Students are assessed similarly to MD applicants. In recent years, eight to ten students have been interviewed and up to two students may be selected.

At the completion of the interview process, selected students are paired with WMC faculty for a research assignment that will extend throughout their junior year at Hunter. During that summer, the Medical College will arrange a clinical volunteer experience. The Office of Admissions at the Medical College will receive a letter of evaluation at the completion of the research experience. Since the students are interviewed in the summer, they are welcome to attend a regular interview program for MD applicants during the fall.

Phase 2. (June of Junior Year)
The Medical College receives the research mentor evaluation, the final research report (see below under Responsibilities of the Student), an updated Hunter College transcript that includes all junior year grades, the Hunter College premed office packet of recommendations, and results of the MCAT taken no later than the end of April. Students must have completed all premedical course requirements by then. Medical College Admissions Committee members review all these documents and, if competitive, the students are invited for a second and final interview. After this interview, the Admissions Committee decides on the eligibility of the students for admission to the Medical College as "Special Program Hunter Linkage Students."

Accepted students must complete all requirements for graduation at Hunter, concentrating on the humanities and social sciences, and may not apply to other medical schools.

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Responsibilities of the Student                            

• To participate meaningfully in the research project, demonstrating initiative and commitment
• To complete the following reports:
• An initial plan, due by October 1 of the research year, briefly describing the research project and the student's anticipated role in it. The anticipated length of this report is 1-2 paragraphs.
• An interim report, due by January 1 of the research year, briefly describing the research project and the student's involvement to date. The anticipated length of this report is 1-3 paragraphs.
• A final report, due by June 1 of the research year, describing the student's research activity and accomplishments. The anticipated length of this report is 1-3 pages.
• These reports should be submitted to the Office on Admissions by the due dates.
• Any changes in the student's plans or research involvement should be communicated in writing to the Office on Admissions.
  
  

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Responsibilities of the Medical College

• To provide the student with an opportunity to participate in a research project at the Medical College. The project may entail basic, clinical, translational, or public health research
• To provide a clinical experience.
• To provide counseling and mentoring to the student, if desired.
  
  

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Post-Baccalaureate Cornell Linkage Program

Candidates are identified in the first semester of their post baccalaureate course work. Similar to the undergraduate program, the post-bacc student must exhibit competitive credentials. To remain competitive in the program, the student must maintain a minimum 3.75 GPA. At the completion of one year of post baccalaureate premed courses (and no less than 18 credits in science courses), students are recommended for participation in the program. In recent years, from 2-4 applicants have been recommended and 2 have been selected.

Phase 1.
The Medical College receives a file for each student recommended by Hunter College. The files include a curriculum vitae, transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, a personal statement and letters of recommendation from the Hunter premed office. Two weeks after receipt of the candidate files, the Medical College will let Hunter College know which applicants it has selected for an initial interview. The interview addresses the student's interest and motivation for medicine, interpersonal and communication skills, and suitability for a research experience. Students are assessed similarly to MD applicants.

At the completion of the interview process, selected students are paired with WMC faculty for a research assignment that will extend throughout their second post-bacc year at Hunter. During that summer, the Medical College will arrange a clinical volunteer experience. The Office of Admissions at the Medical College will receive a letter of evaluation at the completion of the research experience. Since the students are interviewed in the summer, they are welcome to attend a regular interview program for MD applicants during the fall.

Phase 2. (following early June)
The Medical College receives the research mentor evaluation, the final research report (see below under Responsibilities of the Student), an updated Hunter College transcript that includes all premed prerequisites, the Hunter College premed office packet of recommendations, and results of the MCAT taken no later than the end of April.   Medical College Admissions Committee members review all these documents and, if competitive, the students are invited for a second and final interview.  After this interview, the Admissions Committee decides on the eligibility of the students for admission to the Medical College as "Special Program Hunter Linkage Students." If accepted, the students apply through AMCAS and join the class entering that year.

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Responsibilities of the Student                            

• To participate meaningfully in the research project, demonstrating initiative and commitment
• To complete the following reports:
• An initial plan, due by October 1 of the research year, briefly describing the research project and the student's anticipated role in it. The anticipated length of this report is 1-2 paragraphs.
• An interim report, due by January 1 of the research year, briefly describing the research project and the student's involvement to date. The anticipated length of this report is 1-3 paragraphs.
• A final report, due by June 1 of the research year, describing the student's research activity and accomplishments. The anticipated length of this report is 1-3 pages.
• These reports should be submitted to the Office on Admissions by the due dates.
• Any changes in the student's plans or research involvement should be communicated in writing to the Office on Admissions.
  
  

Responsibilities of the Medical College

• To provide the student with an opportunity to participate in a research project at the Medical College. The project may entail basic, clinical, translational, or public health research
• To provide a clinical experience.
• To provide counseling and mentoring to the student, if desired.
  
  

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Stonybrook Linkage Program for Postbaccalaureate Students

The Stonybrook linkage program is designed to assist exceptionally qualified (both academically and personally) postbacc students.  In the past, qualified students have had a GPA of 3.75 and above and an MCAT score of 35 or better.

Students MUST meet the eligibility requirements outlined below. 

• Completion of all premedical requirements by the end of the Spring semester you will be taking the MCAT. (1 year of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics)
• Scores from the MCAT taken no later than the 2nd week of April.
• Experience in a clinical setting, research, or service to the  community
• Distinguished academic ability, and an informed interest in our School of Medicine.
• Possession of a baccalaureate degree.
• New York State residency
  
  

Prospective candidates should be aware that because our entering class will be largely filled by the time that applications to this program are reviewed, competition for a position will likely be more rigorous than that which is experienced in the general application process. Therefore, candidates who are unsuccessful should in no way be discouraged from applying to Stonybrook in the future. Nominations will be through the prehealth office at Hunter College.  Please see the advisor for further instructions.

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Rochester Early Assurance Program

 Aim of the Program

To offer an early assurance program (EAP) (conditional acceptance) to the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry to a select number of highly qualified applicants from your college.  The EAP is not an accelerated program.  Rather, it is a competitive program offered to sophomore students from a select group of colleges who are clearly interested in and committed to careers in medicine, mature, and who wish to make the most of their undergraduate experience without the pressures associated with taking the MCAT exam or applying to multiple schools during their final year in college.  


Scope of the Program

By its very nature, the EAP is designed to free up time in the remainder of your undergraduate experience in the hope that accepted applicants will use this time to broaden their educational horizons, feel free to participate in semester abroad programs offered by your institution, and focus on your education unencumbered by the normal application process to medical school, including MCAT preparation, the AMCAS application process, and the time and expense associated with multiple medical school interviews during your senior academic year.  Rochester seeks students who will benefit from our unique academic environment and enrich our class through the diversity of their educational and experiential backgrounds. 

Moreover, any applicant who is conditionally accepted into the EAP may, by notifying us before May 15^th of the year they would normally matriculate at Rochester, request a deferment for one or more years if there is a compelling reason. For example, you may wish to complete or continue an ongoing research project, pursue an advanced degree, or you may wish to participate in an AmeriCorps, Teach for America or Peace Corps program.  Finally, accepted students also will be afforded the option of coming to the University of Rochester Medical Center campus to do research for a six-week period during the summer between their junior and senior undergraduate years.  As part of this optional program, you also may participate in an overview course of human anatomy and physiology taught by our medical school faculty. 

Application Process and Requirements

1. Academically qualified (3.5 GPA or better at the end of their sophomore year) sophomore undergraduates at the participating colleges may apply in May and June following their sophomore year.
2. Completion of Rochester's EAP electronic application.
3. Health Professions Committee letter of recommendation.
4. An official college transcript verifying the completion of 4 semesters of college coursework.
5. An application fee of $100.
6. Application DEADLINE JUNE 15th (if day falls on a weekend, it will be that following Monday). 

Please Note:  Rochester does not require your SAT or ACT scores, or your high school transcript, and the MCAT is not required.

Selection Process

1. Following review of the application by the Medical School Admissions Committee, the most qualified applicants will be invited during August and September to Rochester for interviews.  No one will be accepted into the program without an interview.  Any applicant to the EAP who is rejected in the initial screening or after interview, may apply to Rochester as a regular applicant via AMCAS without prejudice and, in fact, will be encouraged to do so.

2. The final selection of those offered acceptance into the EAP is made by the Medical School Admissions Committee based on all of the information available to them.  Academic and career potential, maturity, diverse experiences and perspectives, and strong letters of support will be key factors in the selection process.

3. Accepted applicants will be notified by September 30^th of their junior year.  A non-refundable fee of $500 will be required within four weeks of acceptance to hold a place in the medical school class.  This fee will be credited to your first semester tuition bill.

4. Accepted EAP students are considered "committed" to Rochester and it is expected that they will not apply elsewhere.  Should an accepted student decide to apply to medical school more widely or have a change in career plans, they will forfeit their acceptance to Rochester.

5. Accepted EAP students will be eligible for all scholarship monies and loans that are normally available to all applicants to our medical school.  Financial aid information will be made available to all accepted EAP students in the Spring of their senior year in college.

Requirements for Maintaining Eligibility of Your Acceptance into the Program

1. Acceptance to Rochester is contingent upon continued performance at a comparable level during your junior and senior year at the college participating in the program.  A continued commitment to volunteering in outreach and medical settings is expected.

2. Satisfactory completion, prior to graduation, of all of Rochester's premedical requirements.  These requirements include:

• One year of biology with laboratory (biochemistry or botany will not satisfy this requirement
• One year of physics with laboratory
• Two years of chemistry, including either one year of organic chemistry or one semester of organic and one semester of biochemistry.  Within the two-year chemistry sequence, one year of laboratory is required
• Expository writing-one year: may be met with English or non-science courses that involve extensive expository writing
• In addition to expository writing, four courses in the humanities and/or social sciences

3. Satisfactory progress in the EAP will be monitored periodically by the Associate Dean for Admissions at Rochester in conjunction with your college's Health Professions Advisor. 

4. Students accepted into the EAP are expected to carry normal course loads during their remaining two years of college, and have no disciplinary charges brought against them by the college or the civil authorities.  Any accepted student who graduates early will not be admitted prior to the year for which they have been accepted.

5. Should a student's conditional acceptance into the EAP be revoked for academic reasons, the $500 deposit fee will be refunded.

Additional Information About Rochester and its Programs

Hardcopies of the School of Medicine and Dentistry's Admissions brochure, entitled "Transforming the Learner" is on file in your college Health Professions Advising office, as are brochures outlining the EAP. If your Advising office is out of brochures, please contact us and we will send one along by return mail.

Additional information is available by accessing the following Rochester web sites:
Admissions  www.urmc.rochester.edu/education/md/admissions
Email  mdadmish@urmc.rochester.edu
Medical School  www.urmc.rochester.edu/education/md

Participating Colleges in Rochester's Early Assurance Program (tentative)

Arnlierst
Bowdoin
Carleton
Colgate
CUNY-Hunter College
Haverford
Middlebury
Swarthmore
Williams
Xavier (New Orleans)

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