Program Gives YU Students Early Assurance to Medical School

Undergraduates seeking to practice medicine in Israel can now secure early admission to Reichman University’s prestigious medical school through a new program launched by Yeshiva University. The pathway offers a direct route into medical training and practice, helping address Israel’s critical shortage of physicians while educating the next generation of doctors who will serve communities across the country. 

Under the program, high-achieving Yeshiva University freshmen and sophomores apply for early assurance admission to Reichman’s newly launched Dina Recanati School of Medicine, known for its innovative, clinically focused curriculum and close partnerships with Israel’s leading health systems. Students who are accepted secure a guaranteed seat, pending completion of their undergraduate degree and a recommendation from YU’s pre-health advisor. After earning their bachelor’s degree, they enter one of two defined tracks into medical school. 

In the first track, students who are fluent in Hebrew, have completed the required science coursework, earned a qualifying MCAT score, and are prepared to make Aliyah enter the M.D. program directly. 

In the second track, those who require additional Hebrew proficiency complete a preparatory year in Israel focused on intensive ulpan study, MCAT preparation, and initiating the Aliyah process. Students in both tracks receive full Aliyah benefits while pursuing their medical education in Israel. 

“YU is deeply focused on student success,” said Selma Botman, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at YU. “This new initiative supports students who aspire to become physicians and give back to their communities, pairing rigorous medical training with a structured pathway into Israeli society and medical practice that benefits both their careers and Israel at the grassroots level.” 

Many Yeshiva University students are already interested in making Aliyah after graduation, and this program creates a clear bridge from undergraduate study to medical training and professional life in Israel. After completing the four-year M.D. program at Reichman University, located in Herzliya just outside Tel Aviv, graduates move directly into medical practice, serving local communities and integrating into Israel’s healthcare system. 

One of the first Yeshiva University students to participate in the new program is Moshe Pahmer, a recent YU graduate from Passaic, N.J., who is currently completing the program’s preparatory year in Israel. Long interested in studying medicine in Israel, Pahmer viewed the pathway as a natural continuation of his undergraduate experience and a meaningful step toward Aliyah. 

“It was a very seamless transition from YU,” said Pahmer. “It’s a great soft landing, with excellent teachers and many Aliyah benefits. It’s also really inspiring to be in a program with like-minded students who are very Zionistic, who are dedicated to becoming doctors in Israel and contributing to the community.” 

Beyond earning a medical degree from an internationally respected university, students benefit from a more affordable medical education than comparable programs in the United States, along with structured Hebrew acquisition and guided support through the Aliyah process. 

Applications for the program are now open. To find out more information and apply, visit: https://www.yu.edu/yu-reichman-program