{"id":4960,"date":"2026-02-02T10:57:06","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T15:57:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/?page_id=4960"},"modified":"2026-02-05T09:32:52","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T14:32:52","slug":"applying-admissions-special-pathways","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/preprof\/applying-admissions-special-pathways\/","title":{"rendered":"Applying, Admissions, &amp; Special Pathways"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When it\u2019s time to apply, understanding the admissions process can make a significant difference. This page explains application timelines, submission services, residency considerations, and special programs such as early assurance and the Academic Common Market. It also highlights resources and next steps for students who may need to reapply or explore alternative pathways.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#app_sub\">What are application submission services?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#begin\">When should I begin the application process to professional school?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#wv\">Do WV residents have a better chance of being admitted to a WV state school than a non-resident?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#representation\">Are there special opportunities for underrepresented groups in health care?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#assurance\">What is early assurance?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#acad\">What is the Academic Common Market?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#not\">What can I do if I am not admitted to a professional school?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#outside\">Are there any outside resources available?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a id=\"app_sub\" name=\"app_sub\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>What are application submission services?<\/h2>\n<p>Most professional health care schools require the submission of application materials via a web-based service. Applicants should consult the web page of all schools they wish to apply to be certain they are meeting all requirements for admission and are submitting credentials properly.\u00a0These services also connect with the faculty who will write your letters of recommendation.<br \/>\n<div class=\"large-table\"><table class=\" table  table-striped \">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"\">\n<th>Profession<\/th>\n<th>Submission Service<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr class=\"\">\n<td class=\"\">Allopathic Medicine (M.D.)<\/td>\n<td class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aamc.org\/students\/amcas\/\">American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"\">\n<td class=\"\">Dental<\/td>\n<td class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.adea.org\/home\/application-services\">Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS)<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"\">\n<td class=\"\">Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)<\/td>\n<td class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aacom.org\/become-a-doctor\/apply-to-medical-school\/\">American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"\">\n<td class=\"\">Pharmacy<\/td>\n<td class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pharmcas.org\/\">Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS)<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"\">\n<td class=\"\">Veterinary<\/td>\n<td class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aavmc.org\/vmcas\/vmcas.htm\">Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS)<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p><a id=\"begin\" name=\"begin\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>When should I begin the application process to professional school?<\/h2>\n<p>You should review the process of applying to professional schools in the summer after your second year of college.\u00a0 You should work on your application materials during your third academic year and submit your application during the summer of your third year, shortly after taking the professional exam.<\/p>\n<p><strong>For the most accurate information on the application process, contact the professional school of your choice or review information on the school&#8217;s website.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"wv\" name=\"wv\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Do WV residents have a better chance of being admitted to a WV state school than a non-resident?<\/h2>\n<p>Yes. All three state medical schools (<a href=\"https:\/\/jcesom.marshall.edu\/\">Marshall University Joan C Edwards School of Medicine<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/medicine.hsc.wvu.edu\/\">West Virginia University School of Medicine<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wvsom.edu\/\">West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine<\/a>) have a legislated mandate to admit state residents almost exclusively.<\/p>\n<p>Private schools, such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ucwv.edu\/academics\/school-of-pharmacy\/\">University of Charleston Pharmacy School<\/a>, receive no state money, so they may admit anyone they choose.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"representation\" name=\"representation\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Are there special opportunities for underrepresented groups in health care?<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/jcesom.marshall.edu\/diversity\">Marshall University School of Medicine Office of Diversity &amp; Inclusion<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smdep.org\/\">Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.siumed.edu\/medprep\">Medical\/Dental Education Preparatory Program (MedPrep) at Southern Illinois University<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nmfonline.org\/\">National Medical Fellowship<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a id=\"assurance\" name=\"assurance\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>What is early assurance?<\/h2>\n<p>Marshall University\u2019s\u00a0Early Assurance Programs\u00a0offer a competitive edge for students dedicated to careers in\u00a0medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, or athletic training.<\/p>\n<p>These programs provide\u00a0provisional acceptance\u00a0to professional tracks, paving a clear path toward your goals. Whether you\u2019re an in-state or out-of-state student, our\u00a0Med School Early Assurance Programs,\u00a0Early Acceptance Pharmacy School, and\u00a0Early Assurance PT School offer incredible benefits. Upon successful completion of their bachelor&#8217;s degree, students matriculate into their professional school.\u00a0 Additional benefits of early assurance might include not being required to take the professional entrance exam.<\/p>\n<p>You must enroll at Marshall University before applying to an Early Assurance Program.\u00a0 In addition, ACT\/SAT must be taken in High School to be qualified for early assurance.\u00a0 Each program has its own specific eligibility criteria, application process, and due dates.<\/p>\n<p>The Marshall University School of Medicine offers an Early Assurance Program exclusively to Marshall University undergraduate students.<\/p>\n<p>Visit Marshall University&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/why\/early-assurance\/\">Early Assurance Programs<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"acad\" name=\"acad\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>What is the Academic Common Market?<\/h2>\n<p>The Academic Common Market enables you to pursue out-of-state majors (like veterinary medicine) at in-state tuition rates, through agreements among the states and college and universities. Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sreb.org\/\">Southern Regional Education Board\u2019s website<\/a> for a complete list of schools and programs offered.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"not\" name=\"not\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>What can I do if I am not admitted to a professional school?<\/h2>\n<p>If you are not admitted to a professional school, there are several options.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Work on improving your application and reapply during the next application cycle.\u00a0 Things to do include completing more course work in order to increase your GPA and strengthen your science fundamentals, gaining experience through shadowing, volunteering, or working in the health care field, improving your entrance exam score, and revising your application materials.<\/li>\n<li>There are several different professional medical fields, each of which has different entrance standards.\u00a0 Even if your GPA is not sufficient for your first choice, you should explore some of the other professional medical fields.\u00a0\u00a0 You may find another one is a good fit.<\/li>\n<li>Your four-year degree from Marshall University will be a valuable background for many different career paths.\u00a0 You should consider whether a career path outside of health care, or graduate school, is right for you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a id=\"outside\" name=\"outside\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Are there any outside resources available?<\/h2>\n<p>Marshall University does not endorse nor is affiliated with the companies listed below. Marshall University is not responsible for the content, cost, or claims of these outside resources. These outside resources are for informative purposes and should be viewed at the students discretion.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.adea.org\/home\/application-services\">Associated American Dental Schools Application Service<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Simplifies the application process for both applicants and schools by allowing applicants to complete only one dental school application form. Application processing fee associated with service.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspiringdocs.org\/\">AspiringDocs.org<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 American Association of Medical College advise for aspiring physicians.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/\">Kaplan<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Touts improved success on the MCAT of those who take the course. The courses are expensive, costing approximately $1400.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.princetonreview.com\/product\/details?id=MAR-MCAT15-OLTEST&amp;z=27599\">Princeton Review and Free MCAT Practice Test<\/a>\u00a0 \u2013 Touts improved success on the MCAT of those who take the course. The courses are expensive, costing approximately $1400. Students can take\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.princetonreview.com\/product\/details?id=MAR-MCAT15-OLTEST&amp;z=27599\">a free practice MCAT<\/a>.\u00a0At the end of the exam, students will immediately see their score report\u00a0detailing their strengths and weaknesses on the exam.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/98119560229\">Pre-Medical Peer Association<\/a> \u2013 Information from a peer organization.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.prospectivepa.com\/HOME.html\">Prospective Physician Assistant<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 A Summary profile for each and every PA program in the country so users may easily compare one program with another.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.studentdoctor.net\/\">Student Doctor Network<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Pre-Professional forums<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.testpreppractice.net\/tests\/mcat\/\">TestPrepPractice.net<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 MCAT information and practice questions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Entrance exams<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>MCAT<\/li>\n<li>PCAT<\/li>\n<li>OAT<\/li>\n<li>GRE<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Entrance exam preparatory programs<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Kaplan Course<\/li>\n<li>Princeton Review<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When it\u2019s time to apply, understanding the admissions process can make a significant difference. This page explains application timelines, submission services, residency considerations, and special programs such as early assurance and the Academic Common Market. It also highlights resources and next steps for students who may need to reapply or explore alternative pathways. What are<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":224,"featured_media":0,"parent":941,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4960","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4960","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/224"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4960"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4960\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4985,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4960\/revisions\/4985"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/941"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4960"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}