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Early Assurance for College Freshmen (BS and BPS)

The Early Assurance Program for College Freshmen is an opportunity for college freshmen who are interested in pursuing their bachelor’s degree at SUNY Upstate Medical University to apply and receive a decision while in their freshman year of college.

Applicants can apply to one of the following bachelor’s degree programs within the College of Health Professions:

Applicants must be currently enrolled freshmen at an accredited institution and began college in the fall semester proceeding their high school graduation.

Accepted students are required to complete their remaining prerequisite courses, earn a minimum 3.30 prerequisite GPA and a minimum 3.30 cumulative overall GPA (from all colleges previously attended) prior to their entry date.

Applicants to the Early Assurance Program must have:

  • A recommended minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.30 calculated from all colleges previously attended (matriculated and non-matriculated) by the end of the fall semester of their freshman year of college.
  • A recommended minimum unweighted high school average of 90, and an unweighted high school science average of 88.
  • For Medical Imaging/Radiography (BS), Medical Imaging/Ultrasound (BS, BPS) and Radiation Therapy (BS, BPS) ONLY: Completed Anatomy and Physiology I with lab (3-4 semester hours) or Anatomy and Physiology II with lab (3-4 semester hours) or General Physics I with lab (3-4 semester hours) with a grade of “B+” or higher by the end of the fall semester of the freshman year of college. While we will accept AP credit* to meet prerequisites, this requirement must be met from a course completed for a letter grade from an accredited college**. 
  • For Respiratory Therapy (BS) ONLY: Completed Anatomy and Physiology I with lab (3-4 semester hours) or General Chemistry I with lab (3-4 semester hours) with a grade of “B+” or higher by the end of the fall semester of the freshman year of college. While we will accept AP credit* to meet prerequisites, this requirement must be met from a course completed for a letter grade from an accredited college**.    
  • For Medical Technology (BS) and Medical Biotechnology (BS) ONLY: Completed General Chemistry I with lab (3-4 semester hours) and one additional lab science prerequisite from the following courses with a grade of “B+” or higher by the end of the fall semester of the freshman year of college: Anatomy and Physiology I with lab (3-4 semester hours) or Anatomy and Physiology II with lab (3-4 semester hours) or General Biology I with lab (3-4 semester hours) or General Biology II with lab (3-4 semester hours) or General Microbiology with lab (3-4 semester hours). While we will accept AP credit* to meet prerequisites, this requirement must be met from a course completed for a letter grade from an accredited college**. 
  • For Medical Imaging/Radiography (BS), Medical Imaging/Ultrasound (BS), Radiation Therapy (BS), Respiratory Therapy (BS) Medical Technology (BS) and Medical Biotechnology (BS) ONLY: Completed College Algebra, Pre-Calculus or Calculus (3 semester hours) with a grade of “B+” or higher by the end of the fall semester of the freshman year of college. If credit was earned from AP or IB for College Algebra, Pre-Calculus or Calculus, the applicant will need to submit an official AP or IB score report and provide evidence that their undergraduate college accepted the credit to meet College Algebra, Pre-Calculus or Calculus (3 semester hours).

*AP/IB Policy: Our AP and IB credit policy is to accept AP and IB courses however the undergraduate college accepted the credits.  Applicants will need to submit an official score report and provide materials that show how the credit was met.

** See the course equivalency guide (https://www.upstate.edu/chp/admissions/trans.php) to determine which course(s) at the undergraduate college meets our prerequisite courses. If attending a college not listed, please feel free to contact our office at admiss@upstate.edu to determine the course(s) at a college that meet the prerequisite.

The EAP application opens January 2 and is due no later than 11:59 pm EST on March 15.  All supporting documents must be post-marked by April 1. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all items are received on time. Applications are reviewed in April and interviews are scheduled for April or May. 

A completed application consists of:

  • SUNY Upstate College of Health Professions Early Assurance for College Freshmen application (Medical Imaging/Radiography (X-ray), Ultrasound (BS or BPS), Radiation Therapy (BS or BPS), Respiratory Therapy (BS), Medical Technology (BS) or Medical Biotechnology (BS)): Apply Now (available January 2 – March 15)
  • Official High School Transcript. This may be mailed to our office (SUNY Upstate Medical University, Student Admissions, 766 Irving Ave., Weiskotten Hall 1210, Syracuse, NY 13210) from the applicant’s high school or e-mailed to our office (apply@upstate.edu) directly from the applicant’s high school Counselor from their work e-mail address.  We cannot accept transcripts via Naviance.  The transcript must show the applicant’s high school graduation date.
  • Two letters of recommendation. One must be from a professor (preferably science) from the applicant’s undergraduate college. The second may be from either 1) a high school teacher who taught the applicant in the applicant’s junior or senior year of high school or 2) a second college faculty member who taught the applicant. Personal letters of recommendation will not be accepted.
  • Submission of official transcripts from all colleges attended. This includes college credits earned while in high school or over a summer or winter term.  Official transcripts should be sent to SUNY Upstate Medical University, Student Admissions, 766 Irving Ave., Weiskotten Hall 1210, Syracuse, NY 13210 or electronically from the college to apply@upstate.edu.

If admitted via Early Assurance, students must have a minimum cumulative and prerequisite GPA of 3.30 (we do not round up) at the time that acceptance is finalized in January of the year of entry and again at the end of the spring semester of the year of entry, with no prerequisite grade lower than a "C". All prerequisite courses must be completed by August 10th of the year of entry.

Acceptance is conditional and will be rescinded if conditions of acceptance and admission requirements are not met.  Acceptance will also be conditional upon review of a background check that will be completed by the student in the year of entry.  Information will be sent in the acceptance packet in the spring of the year of entry.

The number of students admitted will vary by year.

We encourage students from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Admitted students will not need to submit a SUNY application.

Accepted students will be subjected to changes in cost of attendance, including tuition costs.

Accepted students who want to enter a year different than the year they were accepted would need to submit a request in writing to the Admissions Committee who will evaluate the request and render a decision.

Student Admissions will verify acceptances in January of the year of entry at which time a deposit will be required. 

Candidates who decide (for whatever reason) not to continue with the Early Assurance Program but rather apply to other degree programs via the regular admissions process must first withdraw their guaranteed acceptance to SUNY Upstate via e-mail. The student can still apply to Upstate for regular admission.

The EAP program is NOT intended to shorten the duration of time of an undergraduate education.

Questions may be answered by an Admissions Advisor by e-mailing admiss@upstate.edu or calling 315-464-4570.

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