This program helps qualified students get a jump on the graduate school admissions process because they apply at the end of their sophomore year. Canisius partners with S.U.N.Y. Buffalo Medical and Dental schools as well as Syracuse Medical School.
For more information about the admissions timeline, click here.
FAQs
How many Canisius students may be accepted in the Early Assurance Program (EAP)?
There is no limit.
What if I am not accepted into the EAP?
Students may apply again to S.U.N.Y. at Buffalo, Syracuse Medical School or other medical or dental schools in the traditional manner after their junior year. This does not diminish your future chances.
Why was the program instituted?
- To alleviate the pressure pre-medical and pre-dental students may feel over the course of their undergraduate study.
- To allow students freedom to expand their range of knowledge and breadth of education.
- To provide assurance and incentive to bright students who intend to pursue medical and dental studies in Buffalo or Syracuse.
- To provide additional guidance to accepted students.
- In certain instances, to provide the opportunity for research experience at the medical or dental school and/or Canisius College.
- To aid in the recruitment of excellent pre-medical students.
- To provide S.U.N.Y. Buffalo Medical and Dental schools and Syracuse Medical School with excellent students who might otherwise be lost to other universities in the normal application procedure.
- Students must be in the process of completing the minimal medical or dental school requirements at the time of application - the end of their third semester.
- Students shall have achieved for the University at Buffalo: combined SAT scores of 1400 and a QPA of 3.75 for medical school and combined SAT scores of 1250 and a 3.5 QPA and for dental school. For Syracuse Medical School: combined SAT scores of 1300 and a QPA of 3.5.
- Students must work with and receive an evaluation from the Health Sciences Advisory and Recommendation Committee (HSARC) at Canisius.
- If accepted, students are expected to maintain their average throughout the remainder of their undergraduate program.
Students are required to attend the orientation session in the fall semester of their sophomore year, obtain application forms from the pre-med center and compose and submit a dossier to the Pre-Med Center Office (HSC 306B) in December.
Dossier Requirements
Autobiography: In four or more type-written pages discuss your motivation ("Why I want to be a doctor") in detail and include significant events and achievements from high school and college. Submit one original and seven copies for each member of the Health Science Advisory and Recommendation Committee (HSARC).
Activities: In a separate document, list extracurricular activities, honors, scholarships, hobbies, outside employment (including hours per week and place of employment), hospital and clinical experience from both high school and college. Submit one original and seven copies.
Electronic Copy: The autobiography and activities must also be submitted as a Microsoft Word document via Email.
Photo: Attach a 2x2 inch photo of yourself to the first page of your autobiography. Include seven copies.
Recommendations: Submit the names of three teachers (preferably two from the sciences and one from the humanities), or two teachers and an outside employer, who have agreed to write a letter of recommendation. Give each reference a waiver form with the appropriate box checked, and request that their recommendations be forwarded to the pre-med center no later than December. Names and phone numbers of references can be submitted in writing to the pre-med center office (HSC 306B) or e-mailed (traversc@canisius.edu).
Candidates will be evaluated by HSARC during January and letters of recommendation will be sent out thereafter. Click here to learn more about the HSARC and its recommendation categories. They should contact the pre-med center (888-3208) to schedule mock interviews in preparation for graduate school interviews which will be held according to the time table below. Students will be notified of acceptance or rejection after final exams in May. Accepted students must fill out the AMCAS application package during their senior year.
Applying to Graduate School -- Important Dates
| Buffalo Medical | Syracuse Medical | Buffalo Dental | |||
| Application deadline | February 1 | July 1 | June 1 | ||
| Transcripts, copies of SAT scores and letters of recommendation due | February 15 | July 1 | June 1 | ||
| Interviews | Mid April | Early September | June | ||
| Notification of Acceptance | Mid May | Late September | On or before July 15 |