• Central Michigan University (CMU), Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (MSU CHM), MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSU COM), and Wayne State University (WSU)
• GVSU also has a Preferred Relationship with Western Michigan University, which allows GVSU students to apply through the WMedStart Program. While this program is not an EAP, it follows a similar timeline.

Students may apply during their junior or senior year at GVSU.

While students may apply to multiple EAPs, students are strongly encouraged to only apply to their top choice school(s) and must be able to articulate why they feel they are a good fit at each EAP school. Once admitted, students may only accept their admission at one EAP partner medical school and the decision is binding, meaning they are ineligible to apply to other medical schools through regular admission.

Competitive applicants to the EAP programs demonstrate a breadth and depth of experiences on their applications that demonstrate the AAMC Premed Competencies. Successful candidates will have experiences that include the following (#1 and #2 are weighed most heavily for EAP):

1. Clinical Experience, including experiences that allow for both direct patient interaction/care and observation of physicians (these experiences can be paid or unpaid/volunteer). Students applying to MSU COM are encouraged to shadow osteopathic physicians (D.O.).
2. Community Service – particularly with underserved populations
3. Leadership and teamwork experiences
4. Research experience, publications, posters, awards
5. Experiences fostering cultural competence – working with people different from themselves
6. Work experience and/or military experience
7. Teaching and/or tutoring

• The number of EAP candidates fluctuates greatly each year, but it is a significantly smaller applicant pool than the regular admission cycle. In recent years there are typically around 30 GVSU candidates for all EAP programs.
• The GVSU Endorsement Committee endorses up to 10-12 applicants each year for each EAP school.

• For CMU, MSU CHM and MSU COM, the answer is no. Only current undergraduate GVSU students are eligible for the EAPs; post-baccalaureate and graduate students are ineligible.
• For Wayne State, students must either be currently enrolled or have graduated from GVSU within the past 6 months.

No.  Applicants are ineligible for the Early Assurance Programs if they have applied through AMCAS and/or AACOMAS in the general cycle.  

• GPAs for EAP applicants to the MD programs are calculated the same way the AMCAS GPA is calculated. Both a cumulative GPA and a BCPM (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math) GPA are calculated. The BCPM classes are determined based on the AMCAS Course Classification Guide.
• GPAs for EAP applicants to MSU COM are calculated the same way the AACOMAS GPA is calculated. Both a cumulative GPA and a BCP Science GPA are calculated. The BCP classes are determined based on the AACOMAS Course Subjects Guide. 
• Applicants are encouraged to use this GPA calculator. 

• EAP applicants who have previously taken the MCAT and scored below the minimum requirement are strongly encouraged to retake the MCAT, ideally prior to the January/February application deadline so the retake can be considered in endorsement decisions. 
• At the very latest, the MCAT must be retaken by the stated EAP deadlines. 

The only EAP school that requires one of these exams is MSU College of Human Medicine. You will need to take either the CASPer exam or the AAMC PREview by the designated deadline if you are applying to MSU CHM. You do not need to take both of these tests. 

• CASPer is a situational judgement test and is taken online on a specified date. It involves written responses to video and written scenarios. To register and for more information, go to the CASPer website. 
  • When registering for CASPer, you will be asked for an AAMC ID if you are applying to MSU CHM. You can obtain an AAMC ID at www.aamc.org, click on “SIGN IN” in the upper-right, and then select the option to CREATE ACCOUNT if you haven't done so already - if you have registered for the MCAT, you should already have an AAMC account. 
• AAMC PREview is a professional readiness exam and is in multiple choice format. To register and for more info, go to the AAMC PREview website. 

• Letters of recommendation are requested through the EAP Endorsement Application. These letters are downloaded and sent to the EAP medical schools you have applied to by the CLAS Academic Advising Center. You may request 3-5 letters. Typically, students should ask:
  • 1-2 science professor(s) who have taught the student in class
  • 1 non-science professor
  • A practicing clinician whom you have worked with in a clinical setting
• It’s important to check the individual schools’ letter requirements.

• You will need to give the CLAS Academic Advising Center permission (within the EAP Endorsement Application) and we will send your unofficial GVSU transcripts to the EAP schools.
• If you are applying to MSU COM - you must send your official GVSU transcript to the AACOMAS application prior to the 2/2/2025 deadline. Please carefully review how to send your official transcripts to AACOMAS for instructions. 

• The best way to determine if your high school(s) was considered a low-income school district is to look it up in the TCLI Directory. You can also call your high school(s) main office to ask them.
• To determine if you are from a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), you can look up your State and County in the HPSA Find database.

• Here are some examples of an underserved or disadvantaged background:
  • Qualifies for need-based scholarships or grants (i.e. Pell Grant)
  • First generation college student (i.e. first in their family to earn a bachelor’s degree)
  • Needing to work while in college (vs. choosing to work while in college)
  • Significant physical or other health-related challenges during college
  • Quality of K-12 education
  • Other family stressors/difficulties (i.e. single parent household, English not spoken in the home, applicant caring for one’s own parent(s), applicant being responsible for a dependent(s))

Family medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine, and OB/GYN are considered high need medical specialties for the EAP programs.