Early Assurance Pathway

Reserve a future seat in medical school as an undergraduate

NEOMED’s Early Assurance program gives talented students at our ten partner colleges and universities the opportunity to secure a future seat in the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) program while still completing their undergraduate degree.

This pathway offers a more focused and supported route to medical school in a competitive admissions environment where only about 40% of national applicants receive one acceptance to an allopathic medical school each year. Although many applicants present exceptional grades and test scores — often in the top percentiles — a significant number still do not receive a medical school acceptance each year. As an LCME-accredited allopathic medical school, NEOMED upholds similarly selective standards, with regular-decision matriculants earning MCAT scores nearing the 90th percentile in 2025.

With Early Assurance, you can:

• Reserve a place in a future NEOMED M.D. class.
• Move forward with a clearer plan during your undergraduate years.
• Participate in an interview and screening process that helps determine whether Early Assurance is the right fit.
• Enter medical school having already met NEOMED’s expectations for academic readiness.

How Early Assurance works

Students do not apply directly. Instead, eligible undergraduates at partner institutions are nominated by a designated pre-health or pre-medical advisor at their college or university.

After nomination:

• Screening and Interview – NEOMED faculty and staff review the nominee’s record and conduct interviews to assess readiness and alignment with the program.
• Seat Reservation – Selected students may receive a reserved seat in a future M.D. cohort.
• Admission Requirements – To matriculate, students must later meet NEOMED’s admission standards, including performance as measured by grades and MCAT scores. See more about our admissions requirements.

This approach helps ensure that all incoming students, whether Early Assurance or traditional admission, meet the academic competencies needed to succeed at NEOMED and remain competitive for residency placement.

See more details about the Early Assurance admissions process.

Who should consider Early Assurance?

Students who may benefit from Early Assurance include those who:

• Are currently enrolled at one of NEOMED’s partner colleges or universities.
• Are performing at a high academic level.
• Want a structured and less uncertain path toward medical school.
• Prefer early engagement with NEOMED’s admissions process and expectations.

Partner colleges and universities

NEOMED’s College of Medicine collaborates exclusively with ten Ohio institutions to offer Early Assurance opportunities. Students should contact the designated liaison at their school for eligibility details and nomination procedures.

Participating institutions:

The University of Akron
Contact: Ms. Ashley Rini – rini@uakron.edu

Baldwin Wallace University
Contact: Dr. Colleen Nye – cnye@bw.edu

Cleveland State University
Contact: Ms. Antoinette Speed – a.l.speed@csuohio.edu

Hiram College
Contact: Dr. Emily Waples – waplesej@hiram.edu

John Carroll University
Contact: Dr. Tara Jenner-Donaldson – tjennerdonaldson@jcu.edu

Kent State University
Contact: Ms. Erin Lawson – elawson1@kent.edu

Miami University
Contact: Ms. Tailyn Walborn – walborta@miamioh.edu

University of Mount Union
Contact: Dr. Robert Woodward – cnhs@mountunion.edu

Walsh University
Contact: Dr. Jackie Novak – jnovak@walsh.edu

Youngstown State University
Contact: Dr. Mollie Hartup – honors@ysu.edu

Currently enrolled students at these institutions should contact their designated liaison for details about nomination, evaluation, and timelines.

Guidance for high school students exploring this pathway

High school students who are considering undergraduate institutions with an Early Assurance opportunity should reach out directly to the partner colleges and universities listed above.

NEOMED does not endorse one partner institution over another. Each school provides a strong pre-medical foundation and a track record of preparing students for success at NEOMED. Families are encouraged to select the undergraduate environment that best aligns with their academic, social, and developmental expectations.

NEOMED also encourages prospective students to view medical education as a long, multi-stage process—including residency—rather than focusing solely on an undergraduate “fast-track.” Academic preparation, personal development, and co-curricular experiences are key components of becoming a successful physician.

More information

• Early Assurance home page
• Early Assurance admissions process
• Early Assurance admission requirements in detail
• NEOMED’s academic catalog, where you will find more detail about admissions to the College of Medicine, including Early Assurance.
• College of Medicine home page

Questions?

• Contact Ms. Jill Thompson in NEOMED Admissions: jthompson@neomed.edu