The nonprofit Chicago Medical School originally operated on the principle that admission should be based on merit alone.
In particular, "Chicago Med" admitted women and minority applicants decades earlier than most professional schools.
Prior to Sheinin, and partly due to CMS's lack of affiliation with a hospital, the school had been struggling financially.
Also under Sheinin, an educational program called the American Plan was developed, which included admission solely based on merit.
Only two considerations govern the admission rules of [Chicago Medical School] – character and scholarship merit.
One wishes that more schools and colleges and universities throughout the county would have the courage to set their standards high, but to eliminate two questions that all too often one finds on a request for admission: What is your race and what is your religion?
[10] Historically, students were required to perform community service at the Medical Clinic Free Dispensary and the Chicago Maternity Center.
The clinic is staffed by volunteer students and licensed healthcare professionals and is held after hours at the Rosalind Franklin University Health System's North Chicago location.