Pre Health

Early Assurance to Albany Medical College

The Albany Medical College Center for Physician Assistant Studies will offer highly qualified students of the University at Albany the opportunity to apply to the Center upon completing the first semester of their junior year. If accepted, they are assured of admission to the program upon completion of the prerequisite courses, experience, and their undergraduate degree (with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.20). Early assurance admission will allow accepted students to focus on achieving a strong knowledge base in the sciences, completion of prerequisite courses, and obtaining the required health related experience.

To be eligible for this program, a student must have achieved a GPA of 3.20 or above and have completed two semesters each of general biology and general chemistry, as well as one semester each of human anatomy and physiology. Accepted students must carry a full course load (as defined by the University) during their remaining semesters and fulfill all other prerequisite courses. The Graduate Record Examination is waived for students accepted through the Early Assurance Program.

Students who wish to investigate this opportunity should express their interest to UAlbany’s Prehealth Advisor. This advisor will discuss with the student the expectations of the EAP and the process for application. Applicants should be confident of their interest in pursuing a career in medicine as a Physician Assistant and that admission to the Albany Medical College is the path they would choose toward that goal.

Each January, the UAlbany Prehealth Advisor will forward the names and addresses of applicants to the Center for Physician Assistant Studies. A letter of instruction and application materials will be sent directly to the applicants by the Center. Completed applications (including the centralized application service profile) are due to the Center for Physician Assistant Studies by June 15^th of each year and the selection process will be completed by September 1^st.

As part of the application process applicants must articulate in writing the personal advantage they see to their participation in this program. In addition, they must outline their goals and objectives for the remaining undergraduate year. A plan for meeting these goals through specific academic and extracurricular activities must be included. Specifically, they must indicate how the proposed activities for the senior year might enhance their capabilities as a future physician assistant. Each accepted student is committed to continuing vigorous intellectual activity as demonstrated by breadth of education as well as depth in some field of concentrated study.

The following schedule will apply:

Action Deadline

Supplemental Application* and Interview May 1

CASPA application, credentials, June 15

and supporting documents received by Center

Notification to applicant of Admissions August 1

Committee decision

Commitment from accepted applicant September 1

*Note: The "Supplemental Application" is supplemental to the primary application that is to be completed through CASPA, the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistant Programs. Many programs, including that of Albany Medical College, require this supplemental application.

An offer of admission by the Center for Physician Assistant Studies requires a reciprocal commitment by the student that is binding unless there is a compelling reason to withdraw from the EAP. It is understood that the student will not apply to other physician assistant programs. In return, the CPAS will reserve a place in the class to be admitted in January following completion of the student’s undergraduate degree.

Upon acceptance into the EAP a tuition deposit of $500 will be required. This deposit will be returned to the student if continuation in the EAP is denied by the CPAS. It will be forfeited if the student subsequently declines to enroll.

Continuation in the EAP will require evidence of general academic progress consistent with past performance, and of significant progress toward achievement of individually specified goals. Students are expected to maintain a minimum grade point average each term of 3.20 both in overall course work and in the sciences. Grades in prerequisite courses must be "C" or better. Failure to meet academic standards will constitute grounds for dismissal from the EAP. (Dismissed students would still be eligible to pursue a future application to the Center through conventional pathways.)

A Center advisor will meet with the students at least once each semester to discuss their progress and any problems that may develop On-going communication between UAlbany and Center representatives will ensure that both schools’ requirements and individual student objectives are being met.

Admission to the Center can be denied should events occur that would cause the Admissions Committee to question a student’s suitability to pursue a career in medicine. These include, but are not limited to, felony conviction, academic dishonesty, or unprofessional conduct in a health care setting.