UMass Chan Medical School 2024 Summer Enrichment Program

 2024 Summer Enrichment Program

Four Week Program - May 26 – June 21, 2024

 

Program Description

Since the late 1970's the UMass Chan Medical School (UMass Chan) has been the home to the Summer Enrichment Program (SEP). This highly structured four-week, residential program is solely funded by UMass Chan.  The goals of the program are to help participants improve their qualifications and competitive standings for admission to professional, graduate, and/or medical school and to increase the diversity of the Massachusetts healthcare workforce. Participants must be college Sophomores and Juniors from groups under-represented in Biomedical Research, Biotechnology, and health professions (BBHP) in the commonwealth or from disadvantaged backgrounds. Participants must be Massachusetts residents who are U.S. citizens or those with Permanent Resident status and who have graduated from a Massachusetts high school and preferably attending a Massachusetts college or university.

 

During the program, the Nelson-Denny Reading Test and Cognitive Abilities Test are administered as pre-tests to establish baseline data for each participant. Program enrichment courses include formal sessions in English language/communication skills and "Physics as it relates to Physiology." Participants are given daily reading and writing assignments, and engaged in analytical discussions about the assignments. Participants are required to research a health disparities project on a cultural group affected in Massachusetts and prepare a PowerPoint presentation on their research. Guest lectures conduct seminars on contemporary health issues. Participants complete an AMCAS application, write an autobiography, take a practice MCAT examination and participate in a mock interview. The Nelson-Denny and Cognitive Abilities Tests are also administered at the end of the program as post-test to asses the participants progress during the program. During the Closing Program Ceremony certificates of completion and stipends are awarded. Three participants are selected to present their health disparities research projects. An extensive anonymous, post-program evaluation survey is administered to get feedback from the participants on the various elements of the program. Over 220 participants have completed the program between 1990-2012. Participants are tracked for their completion of college; post-secondary certificate programs; enrollment and completion of professional schools; and employment in the BBHP careers.

 

Goals

 

To help the participants improve their qualifications and competitive standing for admission to professional, graduate and/or medical school.

 

Objectives

• Improve the academic skills of participants in critical thinking, problem solving, note taking, test taking strategies, time management and decision-making.
• Enhance the communication skills of participants through writing, public speaking, and mock interviews.
• Prepare the participants for standardized exams such as the MCAT and GRE. Coach participants in preparing professional school applications such as the AMCAS and medical school interviews and attire.
• Provide participants with information on how to finance a medical, graduate or professional education.

 

How to apply

 

Complete the SEP online application here which must include the following upload documents:

• A personal statement (1-2 pages) describing your reasons for participating in this program, any challenges that you have overcome during your academic journey, and the importance of equity and inclusion in the biomedical sciences.
• A current resume
• A copy of a current unofficial transcript, as well as unofficial transcripts from any previously attended undergraduate institutions.
• Two letters of recommendation (uploaded by recommenders).

v  Your application along with all supporting documents must be completed by March 1, 2024

 

 

https://www.umassmed.edu/gsbs/outreach-programs