COVID-19 Information & Resources

The Office of Student Admissions continues to monitor guidance about the coronavirus from the CDC and the State of New York. We have modified our operations as needed to best support our applicants and accepted student population during this rapidly changing pandemic. Below please find answers to some of our most common questions.

COVID-19 Accepted Student Policies

We have modified our COVID vaccine policies. While students are now permitted to decline to take the vaccine, if accepted and should you choose to not provide proof of the initial/boosters(s) COVID vaccine you will be required to sign a declination form as part of your health clearance process

SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University cannot guarantee clinical placements due to vaccine requirements. Should a student be assigned to a clinical site that requires the COVID Vaccine, SUNY Downstate cannot guarantee an alternate clinical site will be available in the current, or future, semester that does not require the COVID Vaccine, which may impact the student’s ability to complete the academic program in either a timely manner, or at all. Clinical sites are not required to accept a declination or exemption that may have been granted by SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University.

COVID-19 Applicant Policies

Pass/Fail, Online Courses & Discontinuation of Activities:

• College of Medicine Applicants
  • We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted different facets of an applicant's portfolio, including, but not limited to: Pass/Fail grades, on-line coursework, and/or discontinuation of activities. The Admissions Committee will be flexible in its admission criteria and will continue to holistically review and evaluate each application. We ask only that you provide a letter or document confirming the reason you opted for these different experiences.
• Applicant to the School of Health Related Professions & College of Nursing
  • Online Course & Grading Policy:

    Pass/Fail Option

    • If the letter grade is an option, applicants must complete their respective course work with a letter grade
    • P/F grading option only apply to the non-science courses

    Online courses

    • Online science courses will be accepted. Note: If science courses are being offered as Pass/Fail, a letter from the institution must be provided indicating that the science course is offered as Pass/Fail.

  • Clinical & Non-Clinical Hours:

    In light of COVID-19, if you have provided proof of clinical or non clinical hours but they are not completed, your existing hours will be evaluated and subject to approval on a case by case basis by the program to which you applied

• BLS: Applicants to: College of Medicine, School of Health Professions and College of Nursing
  View the full schedule at Here
  • Gear UP with CPR is all-hands-on-deck with helping propel the training of BLS during the transition of incoming medical students and residents.
  • Your can register for a BLS course in just two steps: 

    Step 1: Go to Gearup with CPR

    Step 2: Register for 'Basic Life Support (BLS) for SUNY Downstate STUDENTS'

    Gear Up with CPR is an American Heart Association Training Facility in New York with an office in Brooklyn, NY. They also do trainings in Bronx, Valley Stream, and Manhattan.

• Interviews:
  • The College of Medicine conducts the traditional one-on-one interview. Information regarding the 2022 interview cycle will be posted in August.

  • Virtual interviews are being conducted for School of Health Professions, College of Nursing and School of Public Health programs where applicable.

• Test Scores:
  

  • The GRE is offered online and will be accepted by the PT program

  • The School of Public Health has waived the GRE option for the MPH and MHA program for Summer & Fall entry.