Pathways Honors FAQ

Many medical schools operate as independent entities. Not all universities with affiliated medical schools provide an advantage to applicants with an undergraduate degree from the host institution. As a result, DePaul graduates could be viewed as being on a level playing field as graduates from other institutions with affiliated medical schools. The benefit of The Alliance for the Health Sciences is that students who are interested in healthcare professions are given early exposure to faculty, staff and students from various areas of health care. Earlier exposure allows for exploration of options and provides a competitive edge when applying to graduate and professional education. This is a benefit not often available to undergraduate students at other institutions.

Medicine (MD), pathologists’ assistant studies (MS), pharmacy (PharmD), physical therapy (DPT), physician assistant studies (MS), and podiatry (DPM).  

Under the 3+ Accelerated option, students complete their first three years at DePaul and transition to RFUMS for their first year of professional school during what would normally be considered their senior year.  After their first year at RFUMS, students transfer back their RFUMS coursework to DePaul to earn their bachelor degree.  They will continue to complete their remaining RFUMS program uninterruptedly.

Under the 4+ Traditional option, you complete your CSH coursework within four years, earn your bachelor’s degree at DePaul, and transition to RFUMS for your professional program.  

No – You must be a declared BS-health sciences major for all of the six articulations with RFUMS, except the PharmD.  For it, you could either be a BS-health sciences major or a BA-chemistry major.  Under the 4+ Traditional option, you may pursue any major in the CSH.  However, the CSH is developing more major options that will be qualified for the Early Opportunity Program, including our major in biochemistry.   

No – Your DePaul financial aid only applies to your DePaul coursework, but the 3+ Accelerated option gives you the opportunity to save time and tuition on forgoing a fourth year of coursework at DePaul. Once you become a students at RFUMS you will pay RFUMS tuition and apply for financial aid through RFUMS.    

No, in fact all of the graduate entrance exams (i.e., PCAT for pharmacy, GRE for physician assistant studies, etc.) are waived for students who have earned conditional acceptance to RFUMS via the Early Opportunity Program.