LINKAGE PROGRAMS
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Hunter Linkage Program (Undergraduate)
Post-Baccalaureate Cornell Linkage Program
Stonybrook Linkage Program
Rochester Early Assurance Program (Undergraduate)

Hunter Linkage Program (Undergraduate)

Purpose of the Program: The purpose of the Hunter-Weill Cornell Linkage Program is to provide highly qualified Hunter students with an opportunity to further prepare for medical school by participating in a research project at the Medical College and having the opportunity to be counseled during their premedical education. The Program seeks students who plan a career in medicine and who have excellent academic preparation and motivation. The selection criteria include emotional maturity, personal depth, commitment to others' well being, ethical and moral integrity, and meaningful participation in extra-curricular activities, on-or off-campus. Upon successful completion of the Program, applicants may apply to Weill Cornell Medical College as Special Program candidates.

Acceptance to the Linkage program provides the student with access to Weill Cornell resources. It does not guarantee or assure admission to the Medical College. Students in the program must meet the same admissions criteria as other applicants.

Description of the Program
Separate programs exist for undergraduate students and post-baccalaureate students. In each program, students spend two semesters participating in a research program at the Medical College.

Undergraduate Program
Students are counseled and monitored by the Hunter College prehealth office beginning in the fall of their sophomore year at Hunter College. To remain competitive in the program, students are must maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA.

At the end of the sophomore year, the prehealth office at Hunter College screens students and a selected number are recommended to the Medical College for participation in the program (Phase 1).

Phase 1. (July of Sophomore Year)
The Medical College receives a file for each applicant recommended by Hunter College, consisting of Hunter College transcripts, a personal statement, a curriculum vitae, and a premed packet with letters of recommendation.

Two weeks after receipt of the candidate files, the Medical College will let Hunter College know which applicants it has selected for an initial interview. The interview addresses the student's interest and motivation for medicine, interpersonal and communication skills, and suitability for a research experience. Students are assessed similarly to MD applicants. In recent years, eight to ten students have been interviewed and up to two students may be selected.

At the completion of the interview process, selected students are paired with WMC faculty for a research assignment that will extend throughout their junior year at Hunter. During that summer, the Medical College will arrange a clinical volunteer experience. The Office of Admissions at the Medical College will receive a letter of evaluation at the completion of the research experience. Since the students are interviewed in the summer, they are welcome to attend a regular interview program for MD applicants during the fall.

Phase 2. (June of Junior Year)
The Medical College receives the research mentor evaluation, the final research report (see below under Responsibilities of the Student), an updated Hunter College transcript that includes all junior year grades, the Hunter College premed office packet of recommendations, and results of the MCAT taken no later than the end of April. Students must have completed all premedical course requirements by then. Medical College Admissions Committee members review all these documents and, if competitive, the students are invited for a second and final interview. After this interview, the Admissions Committee decides on the eligibility of the students for admission to the Medical College as "Special Program Hunter Linkage Students."

Accepted students must complete all requirements for graduation at Hunter, concentrating on the humanities and social sciences, and may not apply to other medical schools.

Responsibilities of the Student                            

• To participate meaningfully in the research project, demonstrating initiative and commitment
• To complete the following reports:
• An initial plan, due by October 1 of the research year, briefly describing the research project and the student's anticipated role in it. The anticipated length of this report is 1-2 paragraphs.
• An interim report, due by January 1 of the research year, briefly describing the research project and the student's involvement to date. The anticipated length of this report is 1-3 paragraphs.
• A final report, due by June 1 of the research year, describing the student's research activity and accomplishments. The anticipated length of this report is 1-3 pages.
• These reports should be submitted to the Office on Admissions by the due dates.
• Any changes in the student's plans or research involvement should be communicated in writing to the Office on Admissions.

Responsibilities of the Medical College

• To provide the student with an opportunity to participate in a research project at the Medical College. The project may entail basic, clinical, translational, or public health research
• To provide a clinical experience.
• To provide counseling and mentoring to the student, if desired.

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Post-Baccalaureate Cornell Linkage Program
Candidates are identified in the first semester of their post baccalaureate course work. Similar to the undergraduate program, the post-bacc student must exhibit competitive credentials. To remain competitive in the program, the student must maintain a minimum 3.75 GPA. At the completion of one year of post baccalaureate premed courses (and no less than 18 credits in science courses), students are recommended for participation in the program. In recent years, from 2-4 applicants have been recommended and 2 have been selected.

Phase 1.
The Medical College receives a file for each student recommended by Hunter College. The files include a curriculum vitae, transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, a personal statement and letters of recommendation from the Hunter premed office. Two weeks after receipt of the candidate files, the Medical College will let Hunter College know which applicants it has selected for an initial interview. The interview addresses the student's interest and motivation for medicine, interpersonal and communication skills, and suitability for a research experience. Students are assessed similarly to MD applicants.

At the completion of the interview process, selected students are paired with WMC faculty for a research assignment that will extend throughout their second post-bacc year at Hunter. During that summer, the Medical College will arrange a clinical volunteer experience. The Office of Admissions at the Medical College will receive a letter of evaluation at the completion of the research experience. Since the students are interviewed in the summer, they are welcome to attend a regular interview program for MD applicants during the fall.

Phase 2. (following early June)
The Medical College receives the research mentor evaluation, the final research report (see below under Responsibilities of the Student), an updated Hunter College transcript that includes all premed prerequisites, the Hunter College premed office packet of recommendations, and results of the MCAT taken no later than the end of April.   Medical College Admissions Committee members review all these documents and, if competitive, the students are invited for a second and final interview.  After this interview, the Admissions Committee decides on the eligibility of the students for admission to the Medical College as "Special Program Hunter Linkage Students." If accepted, the students apply through AMCAS and join the class entering that year.

Responsibilities of the Student                            

• To participate meaningfully in the research project, demonstrating initiative and commitment
• To complete the following reports:
• An initial plan, due by October 1 of the research year, briefly describing the research project and the student's anticipated role in it. The anticipated length of this report is 1-2 paragraphs.
• An interim report, due by January 1 of the research year, briefly describing the research project and the student's involvement to date. The anticipated length of this report is 1-3 paragraphs.
• A final report, due by June 1 of the research year, describing the student's research activity and accomplishments. The anticipated length of this report is 1-3 pages.
• These reports should be submitted to the Office on Admissions by the due dates.
• Any changes in the student's plans or research involvement should be communicated in writing to the Office on Admissions.

Responsibilities of the Medical College

• To provide the student with an opportunity to participate in a research project at the Medical College. The project may entail basic, clinical, translational, or public health research
• To provide a clinical experience.
• To provide counseling and mentoring to the student, if desired.

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Stonybrook Linkage Program for Postbaccalaureate Students
The Stonybrook linkage program is designed to assist exceptionally qualified (both academically and personally) postbacc students.  In the past, qualified students have had a GPA of 3.75 and above and an MCAT score of 35 or better.

Students MUST meet the eligibility requirements outlined below. 

• Completion of all premedical requirements by the end of the Spring semester you will be taking the MCAT. (1 year of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics)
• Scores from the MCAT taken no later than the 2nd week of April.
• Experience in a clinical setting, research, or service to the  community
• Distinguished academic ability, and an informed interest in our School of Medicine.
• Possession of a baccalaureate degree.
• New York State residency

Prospective candidates should be aware that because our entering class will be largely filled by the time that applications to this program are reviewed, competition for a position will likely be more rigorous than that which is experienced in the general application process.  Therefore, candidates who are unsuccessful should in no way be discouraged from applying to Stonybrook in the future. Nominations will be through the prehealth office at Hunter College.  Please see the advisor for further instructions.

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Rochester Early Assurance Program

Scope
The Early Assurance Program (EAP) at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry is a new program that accepts applications from qualified college sophomores who intend to go to medical school following graduation. Applications will be accepted from students who attend a group of very competitive liberal arts colleges and colleges that historically have provided significant numbers of applicants traditionally underrepresented in medicine. Accepted applicants will be free to fully immerse themselves in their liberal arts education and expand their educational horizons without the added pressure of taking the MCAT exam and going through an extensive application process.

Optional Summer Experience
The Program also will provide an optional opportunity for accepted undergraduates to spend six weeks during the summer in one of our medical center research labs, as well as become familiar with some of our paracurricular programs in community and international health, and participate in an introductory module of our Human Structure and Function (anatomy and physiology) course. A modest stipend will be provided to all participating students, and several need-based scholarships will be available to qualified participants.

Maintaining Eligibility
Accepted EAP students will be expected to continue to perform satisfactorily at the undergraduate college participating in the program. Satisfactory academic and personal achievement will be monitored in conjunction with the college's Advisor for the Health Professions. Prior to graduation, all accepted students should have completed the traditional premedical requirements expected of all medical school matriculants.

Admission Requirements

1. Rochester's application and sophomore status at your undergraduate institution.
2. A letter of recommendation from your college Health Professions Advisory Committee.
3. An official college transcript of four semesters of completed college coursework.
4. A minimum 3.50 grade point average.
5. An application fee of $100 payable to the University of Rochester.
6. The MCAT is not required.

Participating Colleges in Rochester's Early Assurance Program (tentative)

Arnlierst
Bowdoin
Carleton
Colgate
CUNY-Hunter College
Haverford
Middlebury
Swarthmore
Williams
Xavier (New Orleans)

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