SUNY Upstate Medical University and Adelphi Launch Joint Enrollment Program

SUNY Upstate Medical University and Adelphi University have introduced the Adelphi-Upstate Accelerated Scholars Program, a guaranteed medical school entrance program for new undergraduates this fall.

Students admitted to Adelphi for the bachelor’s degree program meeting certain requirements and who complete additional requirements during their undergraduate studies will automatically be accepted for medical school at SUNY Upstate. Incoming qualifications include a 3.5 high school GPA or 90 percent average minimum, combined SAT scores of at least 1360 or composite ACT of 29, and extracurricular activities that clearly document experience in a healthcare setting and a commitment to community service. The MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) requirement is also waived for those motivated students.

“Adelphi already has many early decision/joint degree/guaranteed interview affiliations with graduate programs in the health sciences including dentistry, osteopathic medicine, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, podiatry and veterinary medicine,” said Robert Schwartz, EdD, Adelphi’s director of pre-professional and joint degree programs. “The Adelphi-Upstate Accelerated Scholars Program provides an additional route to a successful career in the health sciences, in this case to an allopathic medical career.

“Obtaining a spot in a medical program is often a daunting experience,” Dr. Schwartz added. “Our pre-medical affiliations help ease that transition. This particular program not only provides a path to a highly regarded medical school, but because no MCAT exam is required, it allows students to pursue various academic and artistic interests while taking those courses necessary for success in medical school.”

Students may earn a bachelor of arts, science or fine arts at Adelphi, and also be eligible to participate in summer programs at SUNY Upstate to prepare for the rigors of medical school. While enrolled at Adelphi, students must meet these requirements:

• Completion of graduation requirements for the specific degree program
• Completion of medical school prerequisite courses: Biology 1 and 2, General Chemistry 1 and 2, Organic Chemistry 1, General Physics 1 and 2 including labs for all listed courses, Biochemistry and Statistics, with no grade lower than a B
• Carry a full course load of at least 12 credits each semester
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher
• Completion and documentation of 40 hours of volunteer service while an undergraduate

“This new agreement not only provides guaranteed admission, but also opens doors for other opportunities on the graduate level for undergraduates at Adelphi,” said Krystal Ripa, director of Special Admissions Programs at SUNY Upstate Medical University. “For students who know they want to go on to be physicians, this avoids the stress of applying to medical schools. For us as a medical school, in addition to finding talent, we believe we can also develop talent among undergraduates.”

Ripa notes that the summer programs focus on skills needed for success in medical training, such as critical thinking, effective communication, and basic science, among others. Undergraduates will also be able to connect and build community with their future medical student colleges on social media and email groups, including interaction with mentors who are currently enrolled in medical school.

See more about SUNY Upstate and its Accelerated Scholars Program and about Adelphi’s pre-professional and joint degree programs.

Located in Syracuse, New York, SUNY Upstate Medical University’s College of Medicine has been educating students to become doctors for almost 175 years. It produces outstanding graduates who continue to do exceptionally well in obtaining high-quality residencies and whose entering and graduation profiles demonstrate academic excellence.