Early Assurance Programs
Universities Participating in Early Assurance Programs
What is an Early Assurance Program?
Early Assurance programs allow Hunter College Pre-Health students from any major to apply for early assurance of acceptance into a medical school without the stresses and expense of applying to multiple medical colleges during their final year of undergraduate study.
If a student is accepted into an early assurance program, the student is contractually expected to matriculate at that medical school. If the student chooses to reject the offer and apply broadly to medical schools, the Pre-Health Office will not support an applicant who defaults on their early assurance agreement and who seeks to apply to another or multiple other medical schools.
What is the difference between Hunter College Affiliated vs.
Unaffiliated Early Assurance Programs?
Hunter College affiliated early assurance programs are available exclusively to students at Hunter College. Unaffiliated programs are available to all students, regardless of the institution, who meet their program requirements.
Hunter College Affiliated Early Assurance Programs:
- The State University of New York at Downstate (Juniors and Seniors)
- The University of Rochester School of Medicine (Sophomores)
Unaffiliated Early Assurance Programs:
- The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai - FlexMed (Sophomores)
- Zucker Pipeline Program at Zucker School of Medicine Hofstra (Freshmen)
- Summer Premedical Academic Enrichment Program (SPAEP) with the opportunity of Early Assurance Program (Sophomores)
- The State University of New York Upstate Medical University (Sophomores)
- The University of Toledo School of Medicine - MedStart (Juniors)
- University of Buffalo Dental DDS (Sophomores)
- Cornell University Accelerated BS/DVM Pathway
Hunter College Affiliated Early Assurance Programs:

The State University of New York at Downstate
Application Opens: N/A
Deadline: February 21
The Early Medical Education (EME) Program is a 2-summer initiative to increase the competitiveness of pre-medical students, early in their college career by providing exam preparation and academic support. Students will learn time and stress management skills, and have an opportunity for hands-on exposure to medical disciplines through shadowing experiences with clinicians. Successful participants are guaranteed admission to SUNY Downstate's College of Medicine.
Eligibility Criteria:
- First semester college sophomores with a first year GPA above 3.70 and very high SAT or ACT scores
- Must have completed 2 semesters of college Biology, Chemistry, or Physics by the January 15th application deadline
Two (2) Letters of Recommendation Required:
- 1 from a science professor
- 1 from a math professor
For more information on eligibility and program description, please visit EME Program.

University of Rochester School of Medicine Early Assurance Program
Application Opens: May 1
Deadline: July 30
The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry offers an early assurance program to a select number of highly qualified college applicants from a select group of colleges, including Hunter College. Student applicants must demonstrate a clear interest in and commitment to a career in medicine, are mature, and 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.
Students interested in applying to this program must be committed to becoming physicians and have well-defined plans for how to use the flexibility offered by this program.
Hunter College Eligibility Criteria:
- College sophomores
- Must have completed 2 semesters of college Biology, Chemistry w/ labs, and accrued 60 credits
- Must have a minimum cumulative and science GPA of 3.85
- Students must apply through the Pre-Health Advising Office.
One (1) Letter of Recommendation Required:
- Science Professor
For more information, please contact the Pre-Health Professions Advising Office.
Unaffiliated Early Assurance Programs:

FlexMed Program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Application Opens: August 15
Deadline: January 15
The FlexMed Early Assurance Program at the Icahn School of Medicine provides a path to medical school that offers maximum flexibility in the undergraduate years for Hunter students to explore their educational interests unencumbered by the traditional pre-medical science requirements. Upon graduation from Hunter College, accepted students are assured admission to the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Students interested in applying to this program must be committed to becoming physicians and have well-defined plans for how to use the flexibility offered by this program.
Eligibility Criteria:
- First semester college sophomores with a first year GPA above 3.70 and very high SAT or ACT scores
- Must have completed 2 semesters of college Biology, Chemistry, or Physics by the January 15th application deadline.
Three (3) Letters of Recommendation Required:
- 1 from a high school teacher
- 1 from a Hunter professor or faculty advisor
- 1 from a person who knows the student well academically or professionally
The MCAT is neither required nor permitted to be taken.
If accepted, additional course requirements as specified in the program material must be completed prior to graduation. For more information, visit: FlexMed Program Requirements.

Zucker Pipeline Program (ZPP)
Application Opens: January 15
Deadline: April 1
The mission of the Zucker School of Medicine Pipeline Program (ZPP) at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell (Zucker School of Medicine), is to enhance the matriculation of underrepresented in medicine (URM) students and economically disadvantaged students to the Zucker School of Medicine. This three-year, summer intensive, academic enrichment program is designed to provide high achieving college students who are interested in a career in medicine an opportunity for direct matriculation to the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.
Eligibility Criteria:
- College Freshman
- Must have a 3.2 GPA
- Must have demonstrated success in a biology and chemistry class. Completion of a physics class is preferred, but not required.
- Must have a composite score of 1200 or higher on new SAT and/or a score of 25+ on the ACT.
- Must identify with a group that is underrepresented in medicine.
- Must come an economically disadvantaged background.
Strong consideration for admission to the program will be given to candidates who are:
- Ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school class
- Willing to commit to participating in the three-year program.
- Willing to maintain a good attendance records
One (1) Letters of Recommendation Required:
- 1 from a Pre-Health Advisor
If you have questions about the application, please email the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. To learn more information about this program and the application requirements, please visit their program web page.

Summer Premedical Academic Enrichment Program (SPAEP) with the opportunity of Early Assurance Program
The School of Medicine offers a seven-week residential Summer Premedical Academic Enrichment Program. SPAEP is designed specifically to prepare and support talented and motivated students who wish to pursue careers in the profession of medicine. The program targets applicants who are traditionally underrepresented in medicine with particular emphasis on those with disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.
Program participants will spend seven weeks strengthening academic skills and enhancing their knowledge in science, scientific writing and public speaking through enrollment enrolled in two non-credit courses MedBio and Med English. They will also learn more about careers in medicine.
Eligibility Criteria:
- College Sophomores
- Must have completed 2 semesters of college Biology, Chemistry with labs, and accrued 60 credits.
- Must have a science GPA of 3.6.
Students who attend the first summer of SPAEP and meet program requirements will be invited to rejoin the program for a second summer of research, career and professional development. At that time, eligible participants will be permitted to apply for Early Assurance through SPAEP to the UPSOM.
The Early Assurance Through SPAEP is a multi-summer residential program leading to matriculation at UPSOM. For more information regarding the summary of requirements for Early Assurance through SPAEP, please contact the Office of Diversity Affairs at 1-(412) 648-8987.

The State University of New York Upstate Medical University Early Assurance Program
Application Opens: March 1
Application Deadline: July 1
The Early Assurance Program (EAP) program is designed to free students from the pressures associated with applying to numerous medical schools, allowing them more freedom to pursue unique academic interests and experiences. It is NOT intended to accelerate the length of time of an undergraduate education.
The EAP program is a binding program. Candidates who decide (for whatever reason) not to continue with the Early Assurance Program but rather to apply to AMCAS via the regular admissions process to multiple medical schools must first withdraw their guaranteed acceptance to SUNY Upstate. The Admissions Committee would be happy to consider your regular admission application from candidates in this situation.
Eligibility Criteria:
- College sophomores or sophomore standing due to AP credit
- Must maintain a 3.50 science GPA and cumulative GPA.
- Must achieve a recommended score of 510 on the MCAT by August 31st.
- Must have SAT score of 1360 or greater or ACT score of 30 or better.
- Any 5 of the 8 science courses below completed prior to application:
- 2 semesters of General Biology + Labs
- 2 semesters of General Chemistry + Labs
- 2 semesters of Organic Chemistry + Labs
- Biochemistry
- 2 semesters of General Physics + Labs
- Students must successfully complete their two remaining years of college.
Two (2) Letters of Recommendation Required:
- 1 from a Hunter science professor or faculty advisor
- 1 from a non-science professor or faculty advisor
For more information, visit SUNY Upstate's Early Assurance Program page.

The University of Toledo
School of Medicine—MedStart
Application Opens: July 1
Application Deadline: October 1
MedStart is an early assurance program designed to accept exceptional students during their junior year of their undergraduate degree program at an accredited U.S. college or university. The program allows students to matriculate into the MD program at the College of Medicine and Life Sciences (COMLS) at The University of Toledo (UToledo) for the academic year following completion of their four-year baccalaureate degree.
Students are accepted into the MedStart program participate in a mandatory program on the Health Science Campus during the summer between their junior and senior years of undergraduate school. This program provides participants with an opportunity to learn more about the MD program, the campus, and the Greater Toledo community. Additionally, participants get to know each other better, as well as engage with current students, faculty, and staff who give them a "sneak peak" into life as a UToledo medical student!
“We are looking for applicants who demonstrate superior motivation and enthusiasm for medicine as indicated through community service, healthcare-related activities, leadership skills, and research experiences. Further, we are looking for applicants with the highest levels of maturity, professionalism, collaboration, and cultural competence in alignment with our COMLS mission to ‘improve health in the communities and region we serve.’”
Eligibility Criteria:
- College juniors
- Recommended minimum cumulative GPA of 3.7 or higher with a science GPA of 3.5 or higher at the time of application.
- Must provide an ACT or SAT score. An SAT score of 1980 or higher or ACT score of 30 or higher is strongly recommended.
- Students must complete a minimum of:
- one (1) semester of general chemistry with labs
- one (1) semester of organic chemistry with labs
- either one (1) year of biological sciences or one year of physics
- Must be a citizen of the United States or have permanent resident status.
For more information, visit Toledo University's MedStart page.

Early Assurance Program (DDS)
Application Opens: January
Application Deadline: June 1
The Early Assurance Program at the School of Dental Medicine was developed to offer the opportunity for early acceptance to academically strong undergraduate students focused on a career in dentistry. Application to the program is made at the end of the second year of undergraduate study.
Accepted applicants go on to complete the remaining two years of college and attain a bachelor's degree before entering the School of Dental Medicine. This program is designed to free students from the pressures and expenses associated with the dental school application process and to allow participants the freedom to select from a wider range of courses in the last two years of college. “We are looking for applicants who demonstrate superior motivation and enthusiasm for medicine as indicated through community service, healthcare-related activities, leadership skills, and research experiences. Further, we are looking for applicants with the highest levels of maturity, professionalism, collaboration, and cultural competence in alignment with our COMLS mission to ‘improve health in the communities and region we serve.’”
Eligibility Criteria:
- College sophomores
- Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.50.
- Applicant must have completed the English prerequisite and at least two of the five science prerequisites prior to submitting:
- Two (2) semesters of General Biology + Labs
- Two (2) semesters of General Chemistry + Labs
- Two (2) semesters of Organic Chemistry + Labs
- Biochemistry
- Two (2) semesters of General Physics + Labs
Three (3) letters of recommendation required or one (1) Pre Professional Committee recommendation letter. In the event a Committee Letter is not possible to obtain, an applicant may substitute three letters of recommendation:
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from Hunter science course directors.
- One (1) letter may come from a non-science Hunter professor or faculty advisor.
For more information, visit University of Buffalo's Early Assurance Program (DDS) page.

Cornell BS/DVM Accelerated Pathway
Application Opens: March 1
Application Deadline: June 1
Application Decision: July 1
The Early Acceptance Pathway gives exceptionally well-qualified applicants the opportunity to apply to veterinary school after their sophomore year. This pathway is unique because it is based not only on academic criteria, but also a written plan for the junior year prior to entering the DVM curriculum. Activities include study in challenging courses in diverse areas of interest, initiation or completion of a research project, or time spent in a unique life experience.
important: If the goal is to take additional pre-vet course work and/or gain additional veterinary experience, applying in the regular cycle is a better choice.
Accepted students enter the DVM program after the completion of their junior year.
Admission is based on outstanding academic performance in the first two years of college and the applicant's plan for their intended use of the third year in college. Completion of a baccalaureate degree strongly recommended.
Applications for the Early Acceptance Pathway should not be sent through VMCAS. Send or email the application (preferred) directly to Cornell DVM Admissions.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.7.
- Must have completed one (1) semester of organic chemistry and one semester of upper-level biology, biochemistry, or physics course at time of application.
- Must complete all prerequisite course work by the end of the junior year with a grade of B or better.
- Must provide written plan about how the time between acceptance and matriculation will be used.
For further information, please visit the Cornell Accelerated BS/DVM Pathway page.