College freshman can apply for advance assurance into one of our College of Health Professions degrees with our Early Assurance for College Freshman program.

The Early Assurance for College Freshman program will discontinue after the 2024-2025 admissions cycle on March 15, 2025. Students interested in applying for one of the bachelor's degrees programs may apply Regular Admission.

Who Is This Program For?

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.

How Does It Work?

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

• Medical Biotechnology, BS (prerequisite courses)
• Medical Imaging Sciences/Radiography, BS (prerequisite courses)
• Medical Imaging Sciences/Ultrasound, BS or BPS (prerequisite courses)
• Medical Technology, BS (prerequisite courses)
• Radiation Therapy, BS or BPS (prerequisite courses)
• Respiratory Therapy, BS (prerequisite courses)

Applicants must be currently enrolled as a freshmen at an accredited institution. Meaning they began college in the fall semester proceeding their high school graduation. This program is NOT intended to shorten the duration of an undergraduate education.

Suggested Academic Guidelines

Suggested academic guidelines for the Early Assurance College Freshman program include:

GPA

To be accepted through Early Assurance, students need a minimum cumulative and prerequisite GPA of 3.30. This is calculated from all colleges previously attended (matriculated and non-matriculated) at the end of the fall semester of their freshman year of college.

There is also 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:

Must receive a grade of “B+” or higher by the end of the fall semester of the freshman year of college for one of the following:

• Anatomy and Physiology I with lab (3-4 semester hours)
• Anatomy and Physiology II with lab (3-4 semester hours)
• General Physics I with lab (3-4 semester hours)

Although we accept AP credit* for prerequisites, you must have taken a course for a letter grade at an accredited college** to fulfill this requirement.

For Respiratory Therapy (BS) ONLY:

Must receive a grade of “B+” or higher by the end of the fall semester of the freshman year of college for one of the following:

• Anatomy and Physiology I with lab (3-4 semester hours)
• General Chemistry I with lab (3-4 semester hours)

Although we accept AP credit* for prerequisites, you must have taken a course for a letter grade at an accredited college** to fulfill this requirement.

For Medical Technology (BS) and Medical Biotechnology (BS) ONLY:

Must receive a grade of “B+” or higher by the end of the fall semester of the freshman year of college for all of the following:

• General Chemistry I with lab (3-4 semester hours)
• One additional lab science prerequisite from the following courses:
  
  • Anatomy and Physiology I with lab (3-4 semester hours)
  • Anatomy and Physiology II with lab (3-4 semester hours)
  • General Biology I with lab (3-4 semester hours)
  • General Biology II with lab (3-4 semester hours)
  • General Microbiology with lab (3-4 semester hours)

Although we accept AP credit* for prerequisites, you must have taken a course for a letter grade at an accredited college** to fulfill this requirement.

For Medical Imaging/Radiography (BS), Medical Imaging/Ultrasound (BS), Radiation Therapy (BS), Respiratory Therapy (BS) Medical Technology (BS) and Medical Biotechnology (BS) ONLY:

• 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, the applicant will need to submit an official AP or IB score report. They will also need to 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). Here you can determine which undergraduate course(s) meet our prerequisite requirements. If attending a college that’s not listed, contact our office at [email protected]. We can help you determine if the course(s) at your college meets the prerequisite.

The EAP application opens on 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. Applicants are responsible for ensuring all items are received on time. Applications are reviewed in April and interviews are scheduled for April or May. 

The Application Process

To apply for this program, undergraduate college students in their freshman year will:

1. Complete the SUNY Upstate College of Health Professions application
2. Upload two letters of recommendation
3. Submit official transcripts

We will contact qualified applicants via e-mail to set up a Zoom interview.

The number of students admitted will vary by year.

There is no application fee to apply. Accepted students will be subjected to changes in cost of attendance, including tuition costs.

How To Apply

Post Acceptance

Student Admissions will finalize acceptance in January of the year of entry at which time a deposit will be required. Acceptance is conditional and will be rescinded if conditions of acceptance are not met. Acceptance is also conditional upon review of a background check. Information on how to submit the background check will be provided to admitted students in the spring of the year of entry.

Continuing involvement in the health profession through volunteer, observational or research experience is strongly recommended post-acceptance. 

Entering A Different Year Or Withdrawing

Students who wish to enter a year different than the one they were accepted for must submit a request in writing to the Admissions Committee. The committee will evaluate this request and render a decision.

A candidate who no longer wishes to continue with Early Assurance may withdraw their guaranteed acceptance to SUNY Upstate by emailing Student Admissions at [email protected].