A new cooperative agreement signed earlier this month will grant Albion College premedical students early assurance of admission to theCentral Michigan University College of Medicinethrough the College of Medicine’s Early Assurance Program (EAP).

The program provides an enhanced opportunity for admission to medical school for up to three Albion premedical students annually who demonstrate a desire to practice medicine in Michigan with an emphasis on rural and underserved regions. The EAP is in effect for the student cohort beginning their medical-school studies in fall 2018.

“We are very excited about this partnership, which will strengthen our relationship with one of the nation’s leading liberal arts colleges right here in Michigan,” said George E. Kikano, dean of the CMU College of Medicine. “It’s just one more way we will be achieving our mission to educate physicians with a passion for serving the people of Michigan who need them most.”

“This agreement provides a unique opportunity for students by building on the strengths of two outstanding institutions: Albion College’s hallmark premedical undergraduate education and the Central Michigan University College of Medicine’s commitment to serving rural and underserved areas,” said Brad Rabquer, associate professor ofbiologyat Albion and co-director of itsInstitute for Healthcare Professions.

The agreement will offer ways for Albion premedical students to navigate more easily through the highly competitive CMU College of Medicine admissions process by:

• Waiving supplemental application fees;
• Processing endorsed students on an earlier admissions timeline; and
• Facilitating engagement opportunities between Albion premedical students and existing CMU College of Medicine students.

Students will be required to meet the College of Medicine’s academic standards to participate in the EAP, demonstrate a commitment to their community through consistent community-service activities, and show evidence of leadership through participation in co-curricular or extracurricular activities.

“I am thrilled to see this collaboration come to fruition; it’s a relationship that will, over time, have a lasting impact on our state,” said Marc Roy, provost of Albion College. “An Albion liberal arts education emphasizes service to community in a variety of ways, and for our future medical professionals who feel a strong pull toward service, this partnership with CMU’s College of Medicine is a compelling option as they pursue med school.”

For more information about the Central Michigan University College of Medicine’s Early Assurance Program, contact Brad Rabquer at 517/629-0633 or [emailprotected].