Early Admissions Pathway

Curriculum > Early Admissions Pathway

Early Admission Pathway Application Information

The Early Admission Pathway provides early entrance into the College of Medicine for a select group of National Merit Finalists, National Achievement Finalists, and National Hispanic Finalists, entering The Ohio State University in Autumn Quarter. This program affords the participant the opportunity to enter the College of Medicine after three years of undergraduate study at the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University. Students who choose to major in Biology and complete the required course work in the Biology major will be able to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in absentia after successful completion of the first year of medical school. The participant then completes the baccalaureate and medical degrees in less time than it would take to complete the two degrees separately.

In addition to the academic benefits associated with University Honors affiliation, students will receive unique opportunities to meet and talk with distinguished College of Medicine faculty members and students in clinical, research and graduate education. Faculty and staff will meet with EAP students to discuss opportunities for practical experience and the development of desired non-cognitive traits. Mentoring and medical career counseling will be provided. EAP students will be encouraged to participate in the enrichment activities sponsored by Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED), the pre-medical honor society at OSU.

To be eligible to apply for the Early Admission Pathway, current high school seniors:

• Must complete and submit the EAP application by the March 1 deadline.
• Must be admitted to the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University for Autumn Quarter.
• Must be invited to accept University Honors affiliation AND have indicated Honors acceptance by March 1.
• Must be a National Merit Semi-Finalist, National Achievement Semi-Finalist, or National Hispanic Finalist.
• Please note that your application will be considered conditional until finalist status can be determined as only National Merit, National Achievement, and National Hispanic Finalists will be invited for interviews.

Questions regarding OSU Honors affiliation, scholarships or issues concerning National Merit, National Achievement, or National Hispanic status should be directed to Lisa Abrams, University Honors and Scholars Center at (614) 292-3951 or at abrams.34@osu.edu.

Those who meet the eligibility requirements may complete the on-line application form for the Early Admission Pathway. The on-line application form will be made available for each year's application process in the fall.

Faculty of the College of Medicine will review all completed applications for EAP admission. Competitive candidates will be invited to campus to interview in early April. Interviewed candidates will be notified of the EAP admission decision no later than April 15.

Students in the Early Admission Pathway must complete the following requirements at the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University:

• Maintain undergraduate college Honors affiliation throughout the duration of the program.
• Complete the basic course entry requirements for the College of Medicine, including one year of Biological Sciences, one year of General Chemistry, one year of Organic Chemistry, and one year of Physics.
• Complete the requirements of the General Education Curriculum (GEC).
• Complete 25 hours of course work in the Biology major, including all of the core requirements, and/or the required number of hours in some other approved major.
• Earn a cumulative grade point average (CPHR) of 3.50 or above in all course work by the end of spring quarter of the third year.
• Gain clinical experiences by shadowing a physician, shadowing current medical students and faculty physicians, and volunteering in a clinical setting.
• Complete a mid-program interview at the end of the second undergraduate year to review progress.
• Participate in community and campus activities by volunteering or through leadership responsibilities.
• Attend regularly scheduled meetings with a College of Medicine Faculty Mentor and complete required mentoring activities.
• Maintain appropriate standards of honor and professional conduct as outlined in the College of Medicine Student Handbook.
• In certain situations (e.g. AP credit), students may be exempted from the requirement that specific courses be completed at Ohio State.
• Complete a final exit interview.

Medical College Admissions Test Requirement:

• EAP participants with a cumulative grade point average (CPHR) of 3.50 or above in all course work and all courses in biological sciences, chemistry, physical sciences, and mathematics (BCPM) by the end of Spring Quarter of the second year of enrollment who are making appropriate academic progress are not required to take the MCAT.
• The MCAT is required of EAP participants with a CPHR and/or BCPM between 3.00 and 3.49 at the end of Spring Quarter of the second year of enrollment. The student must:
  1. Complete the baccalaureate degree prior to entry into medical school; and
  2. Register for and take the MCAT in the Spring of the third year and present a composite score of at least 29 with no sub-score less than 8 to continue in good standing in EAP. (Achieving a satisfactory score on the MCAT does not obviate the requirement, stated above, for the student to earn a CPHR of 3.50 by the end of their third year.); and
  3. Work with the EAP academic advisor to determine appropriate course work for the remainder of their undergraduate program; and
  4. Regain undergraduate college Honors affiliation by the end of Spring Quarter of the third year.
• If the EAP participant loses and does not regain college Honors affiliation, they will no longer be eligible for conditional acceptance into the College of Medicine and will be counseled in the traditional medical school admissions process or in an alternate career path.

Fourth Year Option:

• EAP participants have the option of remaining in their undergraduate program a fourth year. Students choosing this option must notify their advisor and the College of Medicine Admissions Office in writing before Spring Quarter of the third year. A participant may choose to withdraw from the Early Admission Pathway at any time. The student could then complete the fourth year of undergraduate schooling and apply to The Ohio State University College of Medicine or other medical schools through the regular application process.
• Students who choose the fourth year option must maintain a BCPM and CPHR of 3.50 or higher through the completion of their fourth year to remain eligible for the conditional acceptance into the College of Medicine.

Fill out the EAP application form online