Early Assurance Programs

A few medical/dental schools operate early assurance programs which allow students to apply to medical school in their sophomore year of college. These programs differ  in terms of requirements. They are not intended to accelerate the pace of undergraduate education, but rather, to enable students to pursue other areas of interest without the pressure, anxiety, and all of the burdens that typically accompany the last two years of college for premedical students.

Here are some of the programs for which Columbia undergraduates are eligible. Please use the following links to see the applications and program specifics:

• Icahn School of Medicine Flex Med Program

• SUNY Upstate College of Medicine Early Assurance Program

• University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Summer Premedical Academic Enrichment Program (SPAEP)

• The University of Toledo MedStart Program 

Applicants to these Early Assurance Programs generally must have exceptional academic credentials and demonstrate a high level of maturity and commitment to their goals. Although these programs offer students early acceptance to medical school, they are not right for everyone.