What is EAP medical school?

I've heard the term 'EAP medical school' thrown around a few times but I'm not quite sure what it means. Could someone please explain it and discuss the benefits of such a program?

EAP stands for Early Assurance Program, which is designed for undergraduate students who are committed to attending medical school and have a strong interest in pursuing a career in medicine. EAP medical school programs allow students to apply and secure a spot in a medical school during their junior year of college, alleviating the pressure of the traditional medical school application process during their senior year.

There are several benefits of EAP medical school programs:

1. Reduced stress: Since students receive assurance of a spot in medical school early on, they can focus on their undergraduate coursework and enrichment experiences without the added stress of applying to multiple medical schools during their senior year.

2. Time and cost savings: The traditional medical school application process requires significant time and financial investment. Students submit applications to numerous schools, which may involve paying application fees, traveling to interviews, and other expenses. With EAP, students save time and money as they apply to just one medical school.

3. Flexibility in undergraduate experiences: EAP students can take more risks, explore a wider variety of interests during college, and engage in enriching extracurricular activities without the pressure to solely focus on building a competitive medical school application.

4. Stronger connection to the medical school: By participating in an EAP, students have opportunities to forge connections with the faculty and student body at the medical school, which could potentially ease their transition into medical education and strengthen their professional network.

To be considered for EAPs, students typically need to have a competitive academic profile, a demonstrated commitment to the field of medicine, and strong extracurricular involvement. Keep in mind that EAPs are not for everyone and might not be the best fit for students who are uncertain about their career path, seek a gap year before medical school, or want to explore multiple medical schools during the application season.

Different medical schools offer various EAPs, some being open to students nationwide, and others may have specific partnerships with particular undergraduate institutions. If you're interested in EAP medical school programs, it's essential to research each program's criteria and eligibility requirements.