Pre-Professional Advising

Early Assurance Program with the Drexel University
College of Medicine

This program was established for outstanding Drexel undergraduate students who are firmly committed to a career in medicine and who are interested in attending Drexel University College of Medicine. Students in a four-year program must apply in the fall of the third year. Students in a five-year program must apply in the fall of the fourth year. A grade point average of 3.5 with at least six science courses completed is necessary to be competitive. All prerequisites must be completed at Drexel.

Application Requirements

• Students apply in fall of the junior year
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Must complete Special Programs Supplemental form
• Resume - include details of volunteer and community service
• Personal statement (approximately one page; answer "why medicine?" and "why Drexel College of Medicine?")
• One reference (from a Drexel science faculty member)
• Individual interviews with members of the Health Professions Committee
• A minimum Drexel cumulative GPA of 3.5 is required for consideration
• All prerequisite courses must be completed at Drexel (one year of general biology, one year of inorganic chemistry, one year of organic chemistry, one year of physics, and one year of English)
• Non-science majors must have at least six science courses completed and have taken at least two science courses in one single term.

In addition to academic ability, the Health Professions Committee looks for the following qualities in candidates:

• Maturity
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to articulate career and personal goals
• Knowledge and awareness of the challenges of medical school, physician practice in the era of managed care, overall trends in U.S. health care and restrictions on lifestyle choices

The MCAT results are not required at the time of application. Students should be prepared to take the MCAT in the spring or summer of the junior year.

The Chair of the Health Professions Committee must receive all application materials by a deadline that is established each year. This deadline is determined by the College of Medicine.

Early Assurance Program Statistics

                        Applied           Accepted

2010                      7                      5

2009                      7                      4

2008                      10                    2