SOUTHFIELD—The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and Lawrence Technological University have a new agreement that will provide positions for LTU premedical students at MSU’s medical school.

Called the Early Assurance Program (EAP), the agreement is designed to assist qualified premedical students from traditionally underrepresented populations, as well as areas that are underserved by medical professionals.

Officials of the MSU College of Human Medicine, LTU, and LTU’s partner in medical education programs, Ascension Providence Hospital in Southfield, joined in the signing ceremony Tuesday, June 25 at MSU’s Southeast Michigan medical campus at Ascension Providence Hospital.

“Our pre-medical students have long excelled in the classroom, and we are very pleased that they will now have greater opportunity at one of the nation’s foremost medical schools,” said LTU President Virinder K. Moudgil. “This agreement continues Lawrence Tech’s increasingly significant presence in medical science, along with our growing programs in biomedical engineering and nursing.”

The EAP offers an enhanced opportunity for admission to medical school for premedical students. Preference for EAP admission will be given to those who meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • First generation college student
  • Graduate of a low-income high school as defined by the U.S. Department of Education
  • Eligible for, or a recipient of, an undergraduate Pell or institutional need-based grant
  • Graduate from an underserved (health professional shortage) urban or rural area
  • Demonstrates interest in a high-need medical specialty or practicing in a medically underserved community

Students who excel in LTU’s premedical program may apply to the MSU College of Human Medicine during their junior year. If accepted, they will be assured of admission and begin a relationship with MSU College of Human Medicine during their senior year at LTU. There will be at least one, and up to two, seats reserved for LTU premedical students per year under the agreement. Nationally, medical school admission is highly competitive. The MSU College of Human Medicine this year received 7,983 applications for 190 seats available this fall—including 19 entering through the EAP.

“Michigan State is committed to bringing well-qualified premedical students from Michigan’s higher education institutions to the College of Human Medicine,” said Norman J. Beauchamp Jr., M.D., dean of the MSU medical school. “As a community-based medical school with seven campuses statewide, EAP is part of our long-term vision for enhancing health care throughout Michigan. This includes training doctors who come to medical school with a focus on making a difference in the lives of the medically underserved.”

Also signing agreements to participate in the EAP Tuesday were the University of Detroit Mercy and the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

This story was published in Technology Century.