Early Assurance Application Process Now Underway

The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (CHM) offers two special opportunities for early assurance of medical school admission to the college. Applicants who fit certain criteria may begin submitting their early assurance applications beginning on Monday, December 21st.

The deadline to complete a no-cost online application is Friday, February 19th.

Application is open to students in their junior year (or the year prior to completion of their undergraduate degree). Procedures for applying to the two programs slightly differ as each is intended for a different group.

The Early Assurance Opportunity (EAO) is for MSU undergraduate students. Beginning this year, students from Bay College and Northwestern Michigan University can also apply to EAO via a special arrangement between the colleges.

Along with submitting an application, students applying to EAO must also submit official transcripts directly to the CHM Office of Admissions. In addition, letters of evaluation must be submitted to the CHM Office of Admissions through Interfolio by the application deadline.

Those attending any of our other partner colleges/universities may apply to the Early Assurance Program (EAP). A full list of partner institutions is available on our EAP page.

Interested students from partner institutions should contact their premedical/prehealth advisor for more information and to receive an official endorsement. Advisor endorsements include supporting documents such as letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc.

Graduating seniors are now also welcome to apply for EAP, with two stipulations as follows:
  • Cannot have a current AMCAS or AACOMAS application, or have applied through AMCAS in the past
  • Cannot have graduated when submitting an application. So, a senior who graduated this December 2015 would be ineligible, but a senior graduating in May 2016 would be eligible
The decision to admit early assurance applicants rests with the CHM Committee on Admissions. Since acceptance to medical school is secured, early assurance students are able to spend their final undergraduate year conducting research, traveling, or pursuing other interests.

Preference for both programs will be given to students who:
  • are the first generation to attend college
  • graduated from a low-income high school
  • are eligible for need-based grants
  • express and support an interest in a high-need medical specialty area

In addition, competitive Early Assurance applicants will show strong academics and a level of civic engagement. Early Assurance applicants should meet or exceed the minimum academic standards of a 3.0 overall GPA, a 3.0 science GPA, and a minimum MCAT score of 500 with section scores of at least 125.

The MCAT is required and must be taken no later than early May of the application year.

Check out our website to learn more about the process and review the Premedical Handbook and Self-Assessment Guide. The handbook has a wide variety of suggestions about how to become a competitive applicant while the guide can help you develop a plan of action. Good luck!

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