As part of the Alliancefor the Health Sciences, DePaul University and Rosalind FranklinUniversity of Medicine and Science (RFU) have developed the Early OpportunityProgram. The EarlyOpportunityProgram offers select College of Science and Health PathwaysHonors Program students the opportunity for an early admission decision intoone of six professionalprograms at RFU: medicine, pharmacy, podiatry, physician assistant, pathologists' assistant, and physical therapy.
The EarlyOpportunityProgram will result in acceptance of eligible applicants atthe end of their freshman, sophom*ore or junior year at DePaul. Students may matriculate at RFU at the end ofeither their thirdyear (3+ Accelerated Program) or fourthyear (4+ Traditional Program) at DePaul.
Medicine (MD) at Rosalind Franklin University
Chicago Medical School (CMS): Medicine
The Pathways Honors student must proceed through the College of Science and Health’s Pre-health Advising Committee interview and committee letter of recommendation process
Student may apply to RFU’s CMS EarlyOpportunity Program as early as the end of the first, but as late as the end of the third year at DePaul
RFU offer valid for the end of the third year (3+ Accelerated Program), or the end of the fourth year (4+ Traditional Program) at DePaul
3+ Accelerated Program students must be Health Sciences majors.
4+ Traditional Program students can have any CSH major.
The CMS does not accept international students. DePaul students interested in the Early Opportunity Program's 3+ Acceleratated Program or 4+ Traditional Program at the CMS must be U.S. Citizens, hold a permanent resident visa, or be eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) process.
Student’s conditional acceptance, and waiving of the MCAT, is contingent upon the following:
- Complete the prerequisite courses for the Pre-Medicine Program at DePaul University (non-DePaul credit will not considered):
- Biology: BIO 191, 192, 193 series
- General Chemistry: CHE 130/131, 132/133, 134/135 series; General Chemistry: CHE 136/137, 138/139 series; or University Chemistry: CHE 140/141, 142/143, 144/145 series
- Organic Chemistry: CHE 230/231, 232/233, 234/235 series; Organic Chemistry: CHE 236/237, 238/239 series
- Biochemistry: CHE 340/341 or CHE 346
- General Physics: PHY 150, 151, 152 series
- Maintain at least a 3.50 BCPM (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math) GPA
- Earn at least a B- in each BCPM course listed above
- Continue commitment to shadowing activities, patient care experiences, and community service during the remainder of their undergraduate years at DePaul
- Maintain a standard of professional and ethical behavior suitable for a future medical school student
- Meet the Technical Standards for admissions, and successfully complete a criminal background check
- Complete an AMCAS application during final year at DePaul
Sample Curriculum - Medicine Accelerated (3+) Early Opportunity Program
Pharmacy (PharmD) at Rosalind Franklin University
College of Pharmacy: Pharmacy Practice
The Pathways Honors student must proceed through the College of Science and Health’s Pre-health Advising Committee interview and committee letter of recommendation process
Student may apply to RFU Early Opportunity Program as early as the end of the first year, but as late as the end of the third year at DePaul
RFU offer valid for the end of the third year (3+ Accelerated Program), or the end of the fourth year (4+ Traditional Program) at DePaul
3+ Accelerated Program students can be either BA Chemistry or BS Health Science majors.
4+ Traditional program students have any CSH major.
Student’s conditional acceptance, and waiving of the PCAT, is contingent upon the following:
- Complete the prerequisite courses for the Pre-Pharmacy Program at DePaul University (non-DePaul credit will not considered):
- Composition and Rhetoric: WRD 103, 104 series
- Biology: BIO 191, 192, 193 series
- General Chemistry: CHE 130/131, 132/133, 134/135 series; General Chemistry: CHE 136/137, 138/139 series; or University Chemistry: CHE 140/141, 142/143, 144/145 series
- Organic Chemistry: CHE 230/231, 232/233, 234/235 series; Organic Chemistry: CHE 236/237, 238/239 series
- General Physics: PHY 150, 151, 152 series or University Physics: PHY 170, 171, 172
- Calculus: MAT 150
- Integrated Anatomy and Physiology: HLTH 301, 302 series
- Earn at least a B- in each prerequisite course listed above
- Continue commitment to shadowing activities with a pharmacist, patient care experiences, and community service during the remainder of their undergraduate years at DePaul
- Maintain a standard of professional and ethical behavior suitable for a future pharmacy practice student
- Meet the Technical Standards for admissions, and successfully complete a criminal background check
- Complete a PharmCAS application during final year at DePaul
Sample Curriculum - Pharmacy Accelerated (3+) Early Opportunity Program - Chemistry
Sample Curriculum Accelerated (3+) Early Opportunity Program - Health Sciences
Podiatry (DPM) at Rosalind Franklin University
Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine: Podiatry
The Pathways Honors student must proceed through the College of Science and Health’s Pre-health Advising Committee interview and committee letter of recommendation process
Student may apply to RFU EarlyOpportunity Program as early as the end of the first year, but as late as the end of the third year at DePaul
RFU offer valid for the end of the third year (3+ Accelerated Program), or the end of the fourth year (4+ Traditional Program) at DePaul
3+ Accelerated Program students must be a Health Sciences major.
4+ Traditional Program students may have any CSH major.
Student’s conditional acceptance, and waiving of the MCAT, is contingent upon the following:
- Complete the prerequisite courses for the Pre-Podiatric Medicine Program at DePaul University (non-DePaul credit will not considered):
- Biology: BIO 191, 192, 193 series
- General Chemistry: CHE 130/131, 132/133, 134/135 series; General Chemistry: CHE 136/137, 138/139 series; or University Chemistry: CHE 140/141, 142/143, 144/145 series
- Organic Chemistry: CHE 230/231, 232/233, 234/235 series; Organic Chemistry: CHE 236/237, 238/239 series
- General Physics: PHY 150, 151, 152 series
- Composition and Rhetoric: WRD 103, 104 series
- Earn at least a B- in each prerequisite course listed above
- Continue commitment to shadowing activities, patient care experiences, and community service during the remainder of their undergraduate years at DePaul
- Maintain a standard of professional and ethical behavior suitable for a future podiatric medical school student
- Meet the Technical Standards for admissions, and successfully complete a criminal background check
- Complete an AACPMAS application during final year at DePaul
Sample Curriculum - Podiatry Accelerated (3+) Early Opportunity Program
Physician Assistant (MS) at Rosalind Franklin University
College of Health Professions: Physician Assistant Studies
The Pathways Honors student must proceed through the College of Science and Health’s Pre-health Advising Committee interview and committee letter of recommendation process
Student may apply to RFU EarlyOpportunity Program as early as the end of the first, but as late as the end of the third year at DePaul
RFU offer valid for the end of the third year (3+ Accelerated Program), or the end of the fourth year (4+ Traditional Program) at DePaul
3+ Accelerated Program students must be a Health Science major.
4+ Traditional Program students may have any CSH major.
Student’s conditional acceptance, and waiving of the GRE, is contingent upon the following:
- Complete the prerequisite courses for the Pre-Physician Assistant Studies Program at DePaul University (non-DePaul credit will not considered):
- Biology: BIO 191, 192, 193 series
- General Chemistry: CHE 130/131, 132/133, 134/135 series; General Chemistry: CHE 136/137, 138/139 series; or University Chemistry: CHE 140/141, 142/143, 144/145 series
- Biochemistry: CHE 340/341 or CHE 346
- Integrated Anatomy and Physiology: HLTH 301, 302 series
- General Psychology: PSY 105
- Microbiology: BIO 210
- Maintain at least a science GPA of 3.00 and overall cumulative GPA of 3.00
- Earn at least a B- in each prerequisite course listed above
- Continue commitment to shadowing activities, patient care experiences, and community service during the remainder of their undergraduate years at DePaul with a goal of acquiring at least 600 hours of direct patient contact prior to matriculation
- Maintain a standard of professional and ethical behavior suitable for a future physician assistant studies student
- Meet the Technical Standards for admissions, and successfully complete a criminal background check
- Complete a CASPA application during final year at DePaul
Sample Curriculum - Physician Assistant Accelerated (3+) Early Opportunity Program
Pathologists' Assistant (MS) at Rosalind Franklin University
College of Health Professions: Pathologists’ Assistant Studies
The Pathways Honors student must proceed through the College of Science and Health’s Pre-health Advising Committee interview and committee letter of recommendation process
Student may apply to RFU EarlyOpportunity Program as early as the end of the first year, but as late as the end of the third year at DePaul
RFU offer valid for the end of the third year (3+ Accelerated Program), or the end of the fourth year (4+ Traditional Program) at DePaul
3+ Accelerated Program students must be a Health Science major.
4+ Traditional Program students may have any CSH major.
Student’s conditional acceptance, and waiving of the GRE, is contingent upon the following:
- Complete the prerequisite courses for the Pre-Pathologists’ Assistant Studies Program at DePaul University (non-DePaul credit will not considered):
- Biology: BIO 191, 192, 193 series
- General Chemistry: CHE 130/131, 132/133, 134/135 series; General Chemistry: CHE 136/137, 138/139 series; or University Chemistry: CHE 140/141, 142/143, 144/145 series
- Organic Chemistry: CHE 230/231, 232/233, 234/235 series; Organic Chemistry: CHE 236/237, 238/239 series OR Biochemistry: CHE 340/341 or CHE 346
- Microbiology: BIO 210
- Composition and Rhetoric: WRD 103, 104 series
- Biostatistics: BIO 206
- Earn at least a B- in each prerequisite course listed above and maintain at least a 3.00 cumulative GPA
- Continue commitment to shadowing activities, lab experiences, patient care experiences, and community service during the remainder of their undergraduate years at DePaul
- Maintain a standard of professional and ethical behavior suitable for a future pathologists’ assistant studies student
- Meet the Technical Standards for admissions, and successfully complete a criminal background check
- Complete an RFUCAS Pathologists’ Assistant application during final year at DePaul
Sample Curriculum - Pathologists' Assistant Accelerated (3+) Early Opportunity Program
Physical Therapy (DPT) at Rosalind Franklin University
College of Health Professions: Physical Therapy
The Pathways Honors student must proceed through the College of Science and Health’s Pre-health Advising Committee interview and committee letter of recommendation process
Student may apply to RFU EarlyOpportunity Program as early as the end of the first year, but as late as the end of the third year at DePaul
RFU offer valid for the end of the third year (3+ Accelerated Program), or the end of the fourth year (4+ Traditional Program) at DePaul
3+ Accelerated Program students must be a Health Sciences major.
4+ Traditional Program students may have any CSH major.
Student’s conditional acceptance, and waiving of the GRE, is contingent upon the following:
- Complete the prerequisite courses for the Pre-Physical Therapy Program at DePaul University (non-DePaul credit will not considered):
- Biology: BIO 191, 192, 193 series
- General Chemistry: CHE 130/131, 132/133, 134/135 series; General Chemistry: CHE 136/137, 138/139 series; or University Chemistry: CHE 140/141, 142/143, 144/145 series
- General Physics: PHY 150, 151, 152 series
- General Psychology: PSY 105
- Composition and Rhetoric: WRD 103, 104 series
- Biostatistics: BIO 206
- Integrated Anatomy and Physiology: HLTH 301, 302 series
- Maintain at least a 3.30 GPA in the prerequisite courses listed above and maintain at least a 3.00 cumulative GPA
- Earn at least a C in each prerequisite course listed above
- Continue commitment to shadowing activities, patient care experiences, and community service during the remainder of their undergraduate years at DePaul with a minimum of 40 hours of shadowing a physical therapist
- Maintain a standard of professional and ethical behavior suitable for a future physical therapy student
- Meet the Technical Standards for admissions, and successfully complete a criminal background check
- Complete a PTCAS application during final year at DePaul for the early application period (July-Aug 15)
Sample Curriculum - Physical Therapy Accelerated (3+) Early Opportunity Program
If you have questions about the Early Opportunity Program, please contact the pre-health advisor in the Office of Advising and Student Services via email at CSHPreHealth@depaul.edu or via phone at 773-325-8490.
