Early Opportunity Program
- Early Opportunity Program
- Pathways Honors Program Benefits
- Pathways Honors Program Eligibility
As part of our alliance, DePaul University and Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS) have developed the Early Opportunity Program. The Early Opportunity Program offers select Pathways Honors Program students the opportunity for an early admission decision into professional programs at Rosalind Franklin.
The Early Opportunity Program will result in acceptance of eligible applicants at the end of their sophomore or junior year at DePaul. Students may matriculate at RFUMS at the end of either their third year if taking an Accelerated 3+ option or the end of their fourth year if completing a Traditional option at DePaul.
Highlights of the Early Opportunity Program
The Early Opportunity Program provides significant benefits to Pathways Honors Program students. Amongst them are:
- Waiver of standardized entrance exams into certain RFUMS professional programs
- Flexibility of having more time to explore health care program options versus having to declare one before enrolling at DePaul
- Full integration with the benefits of being in the Pathways Honors Program
Open the panels below to see specific details about, and requirements for, RFUMS professional programs that are part of the Early Opportunity Program.
Allopathic Medicine (MD), Chicago Medical School at RFUMS
The Early Opportunity Program is available for the Allopathic Medicine only under the Traditional option and is open to any CSH major subject to the requirements and conditions listed below.
Application requirements
- The student must be in the Pathways Honors Program
- The student must not have any academic integrity violations in their DePaul record
- The student may apply to RFUMS Early Opportunity Program during their second or third year at DePaul
- The student must proceed through the College of Science and Health's Pre-health Advising Committee (PAC) interview and committee letter of recommendation process
- The Chicago Medical School does not accept international students. DePaul students interested in this early opportunity must be U.S. citizens, hold a permanent resident visa, or be eligible for the Deferred Action for Chiildhood Arrivals (DACA) process.
Conditional acceptance contingencies
RFUMS's conditional acceptance offer is valid through the end of the fourth year under the Traditional option at DePaul, and is contingent upon the following:
- Complete the following Allopathic Medicine prerequisite courses at DePaul (non-DePaul credit will not considered) with at least a grade of B- in each:
- Biology: BIO 191, BIO 192 and BIO 193
- General Chemistry: CHE 130/131, 132/133, and 134/135 or CHE 136/137 and 138/139
- Organic Chemistry: CHE 230/231, 232/233, and 234/235 or CHE 236/237 and 238/239
- Biochemistry: CHE 340/341
- General Physics: PHY 150, PHY 151, and PHY 152
- Earn a GPA of at least 3.50 in all Biology, Chemisty, Physics and Mathematics (BCPM) courses
- Earn a prerequisite GPA of at least 3.50
- Take the MCAT examination (effective Autumn 2025)
- 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
Pathologists' Assistant (MS), College of Health Professions at RFUMS
The Early Opportunity Program is available for the Pathologists' Assistant Traditional option as well as the following Accelerated 3+ options:
- Biological Sciences (BA), Accelerated 3+ Pre-Pathologists' Assistant Concentration
- Health Sciences (BS), Accelerated 3+ Pre-Pathologists' Assistant Concentration
Application requirements
- The student must be in the Pathways Honors Program
- The student must not have any academic integrity violations in their DePaul record
- The student may apply to RFUMS Early Opportunity Program during their second or third year at DePaul
- The student must proceed through the College of Science and Health's Pre-health Advising Committee (PAC) interview and committee letter of recommendation process
Conditional acceptance contingencies
RFUMS's conditional acceptance offer, including waiving of the GRE, is valid through the end of the student's third year (Accelerated 3+ option) or the end of the fourth year (Traditional option) at DePaul, and is contingent upon the following:
- Complete the following Pathologists' Assistant prerequisite courses at DePaul (non-DePaul credit will not considered) with at least a grade of B- in each:
- Composition and Rhetoric: WRD 103 and WRD 104
- Biology: BIO 191, BIO 192 and BIO 193
- Biostatistics: BIO 206
- Microbiology: BIO 210
- General Chemistry: CHE 130/131, 132/133, and 134/135 or CHE 136/137 and 138/139
- Organic Chemistry: CHE 230/231, 232/233, and 234/235 or CHE 236/237 and 238/239 or Biochemistry: CHE 340/341 or CHE 346
- Earn a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00
- Continue commitment to shadowing activities with a pharmacist, patient care experiences, and community service during all undergraduate years at DePaul
- Maintain a standard of professional and ethical behavior suitable for a future pathologists' assistant student
- Meet the Technical Standards for admissions, and successfully complete a criminal background check
- Complete a RFUCAS application during final year at DePaul
A student who has earned a conditional acceptance from RFUMS into an Accelerated 3+ Early Opportunity Program must maintain all conditional acceptance requirements to remain in the Accelerated 3+ program. Failure to do so after earning conditional acceptance from RFUMS will result in the student being automatically transferred to the corresponding Traditional Early Opportunity Program.
Pharmacy (PharmD), College of Pharmacy at RFUMS
The Early Opportunity Program is available for the Pharmacy Traditional option as well as the following Accelerated 3+ options:
- Chemistry (BA), Accelerated 3+ Pre-Pharmacy Concentration
- Health Sciences (BS), Accelerated 3+ Pre-Pharmacy Concentration
Application requirements
- The student must be in the Pathways Honors Program
- The student must not have any academic integrity violations in their DePaul record
- The student may apply to RFUMS Early Opportunity Program during their second or third year at DePaul
- The student must proceed through the College of Science and Health's Pre-health Advising Committee (PAC) interview and committee letter of recommendation process
Conditional acceptance contingencies
RFUMS's conditional acceptance offer, including waiving of the PCAT, is valid through the end of the student's third year (Accelerated 3+ option) or the end of the fourth year (Traditional option) at DePaul, and is contingent upon the following:
- Complete the following Pharmacy prerequisite courses at DePaul (non-DePaul credit will not considered) with at least a grade of B- in each:
- Composition and Rhetoric: WRD 103 and WRD 104
- Biology: BIO 191, BIO 192 and BIO 193
- General Chemistry: CHE 130/131, 132/133, and 134/135 or CHE 136/137 and 138/139
- Organic Chemistry: CHE 230/231, 232/233, and 234/235 or CHE 236/237 and 238/239
- General Physics: PHY 150, PHY 151, and PHY 152 or University Physics: PHY 170, PHY 171, PHY 172
- Calculus: MAT 150
- Integrated Anatomy and Physiology: HLTH 301 and HLTH 302
- Earn a GPA of at least 3.00 in all Biology, Chemisty, Physics and Mathematics (BCPM) courses
- Continue commitment to shadowing activities with a pharmacist, patient care experiences, and community service during all undergraduate years at DePaul
- Maintain a standard of professional and ethical behavior suitable for a future pharmacy school student
- Meet the Technical Standards for admissions, and successfully complete a criminal background check
- Complete a PharmCAS application during final year at DePaul
A student who has earned a conditional acceptance from RFUMS into an Accelerated 3+ Early Opportunity Program must maintain all conditional acceptance requirements to remain in the Accelerated 3+ program. Failure to do so after earning conditional acceptance from RFUMS will result in the student being automatically transferred to the corresponding Traditional Early Opportunity Program.
Physical Therapy (DPT), College of Health Professions at RFUMS
The Early Opportunity Program is available for the Physical Therapy Traditional option as well as the following Accelerated 3+ options:
- Biological Sciences (BA), Accelerated 3+ Pre-Physical TherapyConcentration
- Health Sciences (BS), Accelerated 3+ Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration
- Neuroscience (BS), Accelerated 3+ Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration
Application requirements
- The student must be in the Pathways Honors Program
- The student must not have any academic integrity violations in their DePaul record
- The student may apply to RFUMS Early Opportunity Program during their second or third year at DePaul
- The student must proceed through the College of Science and Health's Pre-health Advising Committee (PAC) interview and committee letter of recommendation process
Conditional acceptance contingencies
RFUMS's conditional acceptance offer, including waiving of the GRE, is valid through the end of the student's third year (Accelerated 3+ option) or the end of the fourth year (Traditional option) at DePaul, and is contingent upon the following:
- Complete the following Physical Therapy prerequisite courses at DePaul (non-DePaul credit will not considered) with at least a grade of C in each:
- Composition and Rhetoric: WRD 103 and WRD 104
- Biology: BIO 191, BIO 192 and BIO 193
- Biostatistics: BIO 206
- General Chemistry: CHE 130/131, 132/133, and 134/135 or CHE 136/137 and 138/139
- General Physics: PHY 150, PHY 151, and PHY 152
- General Psychology: PSY 105
- Integrated Anatomy and Physiology: HLTH 301 and HLTH 302
- Earn a GPA of at least 3.30 in all prerequisite courses
- Earn a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00
- Continue commitment to shadowing activities with a pharmacist, patient care experiences, and community service during all 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 - August 15)
A student who has earned a conditional acceptance from RFUMS into an Accelerated 3+ Early Opportunity Program must maintain all conditional acceptance requirements to remain in the Accelerated 3+ program. Failure to do so after earning conditional acceptance from RFUMS will result in the student being automatically transferred to the corresponding Traditional Early Opportunity Program.
Physician Assistant Practice (MS), College of Health Professions at RFUMS
The Early Opportunity Program is available for the Physician Assistant Practice Traditional option as well as the following Accelerated 3+ options:
- Biological Sciences (BA), Accelerated 3+ Pre-Physician Assistant Concentration
- Health Sciences (BS), Accelerated 3+ Pre-Physician Assistant Concentration
- Neuroscience (BS), Accelerated 3+ Pre-Physician Assistant Concentration
Application requirements
- The student must be in the Pathways Honors Program
- The student must not have any academic integrity violations in their DePaul record
- The student may apply to RFUMS Early Opportunity Program during their second or third year at DePaul
- The student must proceed through the College of Science and Health's Pre-health Advising Committee (PAC) interview and committee letter of recommendation process
Conditional acceptance contingencies
RFUMS's conditional acceptance offer, including waiving of the GRE, is valid through the end of the student's third year (Accelerated 3+ option) or the end of the fourth year (Traditional option) at DePaul, and is contingent upon the following:
- Complete the following Physician Assistant Practice prerequisite courses at DePaul (non-DePaul credit will not considered) with at least a grade of B- in each:
- Biology: BIO 191, BIO 192 and BIO 193
- Microbiology: BIO 210
- General Chemistry: CHE 130/131, 132/133, and 134/135 or CHE 136/137 and 138/139
- Biochemistry: CHE 340/341 or CHE 346
- Integrated Anatomy and Physiology: HLTH 301 and HLTH 302
- General Psychology: PSY 105
- Earn a GPA of at least 3.20 in all prerequisite courses
- Earn a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00
- 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 practice student
- Meet the Technical Standards for admissions, and successfully complete a criminal background check
- Complete a CASPA application during final year at DePaul
A student who has earned a conditional acceptance from RFUMS into an Accelerated 3+ Early Opportunity Program must maintain all conditional acceptance requirements to remain in the Accelerated 3+ program. Failure to do so after earning conditional acceptance from RFUMS will result in the student being automatically transferred to the corresponding Traditional Early Opportunity Program.
Podiatric Medicine (DPM), Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at RFUMS
The Early Opportunity Program is available for the Podiatric Medicine Traditional option as well as the following Accelerated 3+ options:
- Biochemistry (BA), Accelerated 3+ Pre-Podiatric Medicine Concentration
- Biological Sciences (BA), Accelerated 3+ Pre-Podiatric Medicine Concentration
- Health Sciences (BS), Accelerated 3+ Pre-Podiatric Medicine Concentration
Application requirements
- The student must be in the Pathways Honors Program
- The student must not have any academic integrity violations in their DePaul record
- The student may apply to RFUMS Early Opportunity Program during their second or third year at DePaul
- The student must proceed through the College of Science and Health's Pre-health Advising Committee (PAC) interview and committee letter of recommendation process
Conditional acceptance contingencies
RFUMS's conditional acceptance offer, including waiving of the MCAT, is valid through the end of the student's third year (Accelerated 3+ option) or the end of the fourth year (Traditional option) at DePaul, and is contingent upon the following:
- Complete the following Podiatric Medicine prerequisite courses at DePaul (non-DePaul credit will not considered) with at least a grade of B- in each:
- Composition and Rhetoric: WRD 103 and WRD 104
- Biology: BIO 191, BIO 192 and BIO 193
- General Chemistry: CHE 130/131, 132/133, and 134/135 or CHE 136/137 and 138/139
- Organic Chemistry: CHE 230/231, 232/233, and 234/235 or CHE 236/237 and 238/239
- General Physics: PHY 150, PHY 151, and PHY 152
- Earn a GPA of at least 3.00 in all prerequisite courses
- Earn a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00
- Continue commitment to shadowing activities with a pharmacist, patient care experiences, and community service during all 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 a AACPMAS application during final year at DePaul
A student who has earned a conditional acceptance from RFUMS into an Accelerated 3+ Early Opportunity Program must maintain all conditional acceptance requirements to remain in the Accelerated 3+ program. Failure to do so after earning conditional acceptance from RFUMS will result in the student being automatically transferred to the corresponding Traditional Early Opportunity Program.
Do you have any questions?
If you have questions about the Early Opportunity Program you may be able to find answers below.
What is the Early Opportunity Program?
The Early Opportunity Program gives Pathways Honors students an opportunity for an early admission decision into certain professional programs at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.
Do I have to be a Pathways Honors student to take advantage of the Early Opportunity Program or an Accelerated 3+ option?
Yes, the Early Opportunity Program and the Accelerated 3+ options are only open to Pathways Honors students.
Is the Early Opportunity Program only available to students in an Accelerated 3+ option?
No, Pathways Honors students who are following a traditional four year course of study may also participate in the Early Opportunity Program.
Who is a good fit for the Early Opportunity Program?
The Early Opportunity Program is a highly competitive program. Typically students who have been admitted in the past have an exceptional cumulative GPA (3.7 or above), have completed significant shadowing of professionals in their desired profession, and have been volunteering in a position they are passionate about.
As a Pathways Honors student do I have to participate in an Accelerated 3+ option or the Early Opportunity Program?
No, as a Pathways Honors student, you are not required to pursue an Accelerated 3+ option, nor are you required to pursue the Early Opportunity Program.
Do I have to have a specific major in order to participate in the Early Opportunity Program?
Students must be in the College of Science and Health and in the Pathways Honors program to be eligible for the Early Opportunity Program. If a student also chooses to do an Accelerated 3+ option they must be in a qualified major for that option.
Do I need to maintain a certain GPA for an Accelerated 3+ option or the Early Opportunity Program?
Yes, the GPA requirement is dependent on the professional program you wish to enter. Each program has specific grades and guidelines for admission. Please review the details provided above on this page.
Does the Early Opportunity Program require me to take standardized entrance examinations?
See the details provided for each professional program listed earlier on this page.
By being in Pathways Honors can I only apply to Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science?
No, you can apply to any professional school of interest. However, the benefits of the Early Opportunity Program and the Accelerated 3+ options are only available for those students going to Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. If you are applying to other schools you will be required to take the admissions test required for the programs they apply to.
Is there any penalty if I decide not to enroll at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science?
No, there is no penalty if you decide to pursue professional studies at a different institution., however, you need to notify us in a timely manner if you plan to go to a different school. Out of courtesy to Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, we need to let them know that they can give your seat to someone else. Reach out to your pre-health advisor if you have any questions.
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.