SUNY Albany and Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Middletown are creating a new opportunity for future medical school students.

Starting this fall, UAlbany pre-med students can apply to Touro at the beginning of their sophomore year, with a December 15 deadline. Students will be notified if they got in by the end of that same school year. Accepted students would agree to start med school at Touro after they graduate from UAlbany as part of a binding agreement.

School officials say medical school is very competitive, so this opportunity would save students a lot of time in the application process. Plus, there's a chance accepted UAlbany students from the Hudson Valley may want to head home and stay local for their residency.

"This will help us recruit people from the Hudson Valley," said Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Executive Dean Dr. Kenneth Steier. "It kind of gives back to the community as well, in terms of SUNY Albany.  And SUNY Albany has a lot of offer research-wise and academic-wise."

Touro plans to accept about 20 students.