Pathways to Practice

Early Assurance Post-Bacc Selection Process

Applications for 2024 cohort are now closed

THE PROCESS

The Early Assurance post-baccalaureate pathway is a two-step process leading to admission at NEOMED in the College of Medicine as a first-year medicine student.

Students who have or will have successfully completed a baccalaureate (often referred to as “four-year”) program of study from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in the United States prior to matriculation to medical school may be eligible to apply.

STEP 1

Applying for early assurance privileges as a post-baccalaureate student  

  • Interested candidates should begin by reviewing the Pathways to Practice requirements and curriculum. 
  • Cleveland State University nominates promising candidates for medical school at NEOMED based upon an admission application review.
  • NEOMED will interview nominated candidates for consideration of early assurance to NEOMED. Early assurance does not constitute admission to NEOMED. Early assurance is the privilege of a student having a seat in an entering medical school class reserved for a designated year of matriculation in the future.
  • A successful interview at NEOMED and admission to Cleveland State is required for a candidate to receive an offer of early assurance.
  • Early assurance to NEOMED is determined by the NEOMED College of Medicine Admission Committee.
  • Should a candidate receive early assurance privileges, the candidate will then apply through AMCAS using the Early Assurance plan for a designated year of matriculation determined by Cleveland State University in consultation with the candidate.
Understanding CSU's Nomination Process 

This process consist of the following:

1. Applying to CSU as an Undergraduate Health Science major 

2. Completing and submitting the Early Assurance Post-Bacc Application, all unofficial transcripts and two recommendation forms

Deadline to submit all forms is Friday, December 22, 2023.   

Application packets are then reviewed by the CSU Review Committee. Lastly, selected candidates are invited for interviews and nominations are sent to NEOMED for interviews and final decision. 

 

STEP 2 (for students offered early assurance)

Applying for admission to the M.D. program at NEOMED with post-bacc early assurance privileges  

Candidates granted early assurance privileges reserving a seat are required to complete the following in order to receive admission to the College of Medicine as M.D. students:

  • Students must follow all AMCAS Early Assurance plan application procedures and deadlines.
  • Students must continue to complete post-baccalaureate coursework as prescribed by Cleveland State University.
  • Early Assurance Post-Baccalaureate students must apply for admission through AMCAS using the Early Assurance admission plan prior to September 1 of the preceding year to be eligible for final admission to NEOMED. E.g. – If a student is applying for fall 2025 medical school admission, he/she must apply for admission through AMCAS using the Early Assurance plan by September 1, 2024 (information on how to apply is provided prior to applicaiton opening).
  • Early Assurance students must be on track to successfully complete all required pre-requisite courses with a grade of “C-” or better to apply for admission to NEOMED.
  • Early Assurance post-baccalaureate plan admission decisions will be made by the NEOMED College of Medicine Admissions Committee in the March meeting using academic data available in January. Candidates will receive an admission decision within approximately two weeks following the meeting.
  • Early assurance plan post-baccalaureate pathway students shall be required to meet or exceed all admission standards and criteria, or they should not expect to be admitted to NEOMED as M1 students. The final admission decision will be made by the NEOMED College of Medicine Admissions Committee.
  • Please see the current NEOMED Compass (catalog and handbook) for applicable admission criteria and admission standards for medical school applicants holding post-baccalaureate early assurance privileges.