A new agreement will give Grand Valley State University premedical undergraduates early admission assurance into the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
The agreement, which was signed today, reserves up to five positions for GVSU students per year.
According to Jean Nagelkerk, vice provost for health at GVSU, preference will be given to students who are Pell grant recipients, first-generation college students or graduates of a high school in a medically underserved rural or urban area.
"We are so pleased our two public institutions are working together in partnership to help solve a physician shortage and fill gaps in the talent pipeline," Nagelkerk said.
Under the agreement, the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine will waive supplemental application fees for GVSU students who qualify and provide them with opportunities to network with medical students, faculty and staff members.
“This collaboration will provide a wonderful opportunity, not just for the students, but for all of Michigan,” said Andrea Amalfitano, MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine interim dean. "Our priority is on recruiting candidates who are not only academically talented, but are also dedicated to becoming committed, caring osteopathic physicians. This initiative will enable us to strengthen that effort and produce more of the state’s best doctors.”
Qualified students can apply in early February for admission in 2020 to the osteopathic college.
Maria Cimitile, Grand Valley's provost and executive vice president for academic and student affairs, said students accepted into the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine will not have to submit multiple medical school applications, affording them opportunities to concentrate on broadening their knowledge base and skill set during their senior year at Grand Valley.
"Our partnership with MSU is important as it aligns with Grand Valley's mission of providing relevant experiences for our students," Cimitile said. "Students who are accepted early will work with our pre-professional advising program and be well on their way to becoming contributing first-year medical students."
Grand Valley and Grand Rapids Community College entered a similar agreement with MSU's College of Human Medicine in 2012.
