Program Overview

Emergency Medicine 3+3 Accelerated Pathway

The Penn State Emergency Medicine Accelerated Pathway (EM-APPS) is a 3+3 accelerated pathway program where students complete medical school in three years, followed by a three-year Emergency Medicine Residency at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

Pathway Overview

The EM-APPS program offers students many opportunities, including:

• Reduction of the length of medical school by one year and earlier entry into a career in emergency medicine
• A scholarship equivalent to one year of tuition
• Focused mentorship in emergency medicine and early clinical exposure
• Residency training at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Emergency Medicine Residency

Upon meeting the academic and professional standards for graduation from medical school, students are ranked to match into the Penn State Health Emergency Medicine Residency program through the National Resident Matching Program.

Application Process

Students may apply for entry into the EM-APPS pathway at two points – after acceptance into the MD program at Penn State College of Medicine and before matriculation and during Year 1 of medical school. The ideal student candidate:

• Demonstrates a strong interest in Emergency Medicine
• Is a self-directed learner with a strong academic background
• Possesses good organizational skills

A selection committee composed of emergency medicine faculty will review applications, interview applicants, and make the final selection for EM-APPS.

Pathway Details

What are the advantages of choosing the 3+3 pathway?

This educational opportunity offers numerous advantages to students, including:

• The ability to complete medical school in three years instead of four
• The opportunity to save one year of tuition, housing, and fees
• A continuum of undergraduate medical school and graduate residency training
• Training in the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Emergency Medicine Residency
• Access to mentors in the Department of Emergency Medicine

What is the timing of the pathway?

Students matriculate with the incoming medical school class in the summer. The 3+3 accelerated coursework begins during the first year of medical school, with an early introduction of clinical rotations.

When am I expected to take USMLE Step 1 and USMLE Step 2 exams?

You will be expected to take and pass USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 prior to graduation, which is a Penn State College of Medicine requirement.

Will I need to enter the National Resident Matching Program?

Yes. The Penn State Health Emergency Medicine Residency can accept students through the match only. Therefore, you must enter the NRMP matching process.

Will my residency training be different?

Your three-year emergency medicine residency training at Penn State Health will not differ from that of a non-EM-APPS student.

What if I change my mind and no longer want to pursue emergency medicine nor accelerate my training?

You would revert back to the traditional four-year program and enter the match as usual. Any scholarship granted will convert to a loan.

What if I do not make satisfactory progress in the pathway?

If you have academic difficulties or fail to progress as expected, you would revert to the traditional four-year program and enter the match as usual.

How much will tuition be?

If you complete the EM-APPS pathway as designed, you will receive a scholarship equal to one year of tuition. Thus, you’ll pay the equivalent of three years’ tuition, saving a full year of tuition.

Pathway Faculty

The Director of the EM-APPS pathway is Michael Dipietro, MD, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine.