Underrepresented and Minority Applicants to Professional Schools: Summer Opportunities, Application Information and More

MINORITY APPLICANT INFORMATION

Medical School Application Information: The AAMC has general information for minorities applying to medical school and have created a useful site for minority medical school candidates. The section on community and minority programs has descriptions of the Minority Medical Education Program and the Expanded Minority Admissions Exercise.
Minority Recruitment and Retention: Describes AAMC programs that improve the recruitment and retention of minority students and faculty.

SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES

This list specifically mentions the summer opportunities that recruit minority or disadvantaged premed students. Please also refer to the general summer opportunities web page for many more entries on jobs, research, volunteer and internship opportunities in the summer. Hundreds of summer research opportunites are displayed on posters in the hallway of the Galvin Life Science Center so don't forget to check it out!

THE SUMMER MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (SMEP)

Summer Medical Education Program (SMEP) The Summer Medical Education Program (SMEP), formerly the Minority Medical Education Program (MMEP), offers summer educational experiences to help promising, highly motivated minority students gain admission to medical schools. Housing, meals, stipends and travel assistance are included. EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY! Of all the SMEP graduates who have applied to medical school, 63% have been accepted. The Summer Medical Education Program is hosted at eight different sites throughout the United States. Using the links below, you can view site specific program information.

University of Alabama
Baylor College of Medicine
University of Arizona & University of Washington
The Chicago Consortium
Case Western Reserve
University of Virginia
UNCF Vanderbilt/Fisk
Yale University

CALIFORNIA
Stanford Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) offers a six-week intensive program for ethnic minority and disadvantaged students seeking a career in medicine. HCOP provides free tuition and housing, and candidates must be from disadvantaged backgrounds and have completed their sophomore year in college. The program offers research and clinical experiences, MCAT review, mentoring and workshops in medical school admissions. Weekend cultural activities are available. A taxable stipend is provided to cover housing, meals, and transportation to Stanford will be provided. Submit the application by March 4, 2002 available in 101 O'Shag or by contacting Kathryn Fitzgerald

CONNECTICUT
Medical/Dental Preparatory Program - A six week program for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who expect to apply to professional schools of medicine and dental medine. The purpose of this program is to improve performance on admissions tests and increase the retention of successful matriculants to professional school. Room and board and a stipend of $1,000 is provided. MCAT/DAT exam preparation is provided. Application deadline is mid-March.

INDIANA
The Undergraduate Summer Biomedical Research Program is open to all juniors from any Indiana college. Must have superior grades and some background in biology, chemistry, physics or engineering, as well as an interest in biomedical research. Students receive a stipend for the 10-week summer research. Contact the Admissions Office at Indiana University School of Medicine, (317) 274-3772.

The Indiana University Medical Center Summer Research Program is a 12 week program and is open to undergraduates, graduates and medical students of African American, Native or Hispanic American or Pacific Islander background. Students receive a $3,000 stipend, air/car travel allowance and housing. Application deadline is around March 1. Contact Dr. David Wilkes, at the Indiana University School of Medicine, (317) 630-7621.

The Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) is open primarily to minority junior/senior students. This program will prepare and encourage participants for success in graduate or professional school. A stipend is offered for the 10-week research oriented program. Contact Dr. Robert Kasberg at IUPUI Graduate Office, (317) 274-1554.

The Student Research Fellowship Program is open to undergraduate and graduate students in the Fort Wayne area. This program offers future physicians, nurses, clinical researchers and lawyers the opportunity to work directly with professionals. Over the 9 weeks, students learn about clinical research, develop a poster and a manuscript on their research. Each student is given a $2300 stipend. Contact Meg Mettler at Indiana University School of Medicine, Fort Wayne, (219) 481-6731.

The Summer Student Research Program is open to all science undergraduates with 60 minimum hours of college credit, graduate or medical students in the Indianapolis area. This program pairs students with biomedical researchers for a 12 week period. Research projects will cover a wide variety of areas offering hands-on experience collecting and analyzing data. Contact Karen Spear, Methodist Research Institute at Clarion Health Partners, INC., (317) 929-8765.

The Lilly Intern Program is open to all college freshman and sophomores living in central Indiana. This program was designed as a bridge for under-represented minorities interested in biomedical research in a corporate environment. Contact Mr. Virgil Rowley at Eli Lilly & Co., (317) 276-2645.

MASSACHUSETTS
Harvard University Summer Opportunities. You do not need to be a resident of MA to attend.

Tufts University School of Medicine and the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences offers summer research opportunities sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Stipends are available. Obtain applications in our office or via email.

MICHIGAN
University of Michigan School of Dentistry offers the Profile for Success, a summer program for juniors and seniors, or Pipeline, a summer program for freshmen and sophomores. The student must be from a disadvantaged backgrounds. This four-week program is preparation for DAT success and an opportunity to explore career options. Obtain an application in 101 O'Shag or e-mail Program Coordinator Pattie Katcher.

MINNESOTA
Mayo Minority Scholars Program (MMSP) is designed for college sophomores from underrepresented ethnic minority groups who want to become academic biomedical scientists and physicians. For two or more summers, the student is paired with a mentor, given a stipend, has the opportunity to present research, and gain accelerated acceptance to Mayo medical and graduate schools. Applicants must be represented by their school. For an application contact Director Rick McGee, Ph.D for application information.

Mayo Clinic Initiative for Minority Student Development (IMSD) provides training in transitional research from the bench to the bedside. This programs introduces minority undergraduates in Mayo's SURF program and minority medical students to the challenges and rewards of clinical research. The research is centered about determining whether a new treatment is better than a standard treatment. The summer includes clinical research with a mentor, seminars, special courses, and a stipend. Contat Director Rick McGee, PhD for application information.

The Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice is designed to foster the advancement of social justice through participation in health care advocacy work that focuses on the unique challenges facing many communities of color.

NEBRASKA
Creighton University Summer Research Training Program is sponsored by the NIH and open to African American, Hispanic and Native American undergraduates. Students receive a stipend to experience biomedical research. Call 1-877-857-2854 or email Darlene Brown for information and an application.

NEW JERSEY
BIOMEDICAL CAREERS PROGRAM (BCP)
The Office of Special Academic Programs at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) is sponsoring the 25th Annual Biomedical Careers Programs (BCP). The BCP is an 8-week summer program, which offers three phases and five different curricula to meet the needs of pre health professional students at different stages of their undergraduate studies. Individualized curricula are designed to meet student‚s needs as required and requested. The academic component for each level of BCP is a combination of science courses in traditional lecture format with small group discussions, a major laboratory/research and/or clinical experience, small group activities designed to build scientific communication skills, and cognitive skills sessions to enhance reading, writing, studying, and test taking skills.

Non-academic activities are designed to facilitate entry into medical or other health professional schools. These activities include sessions on the medical school admissions and assistance with the application process, a recruitment fairs, where students meet representatives from a variety of health professions schools, stress management and cultural competency seminars. Individual counseling, mentoring, and interaction with RWJMS medical students, staff, and faculty are vital components of our program.

Our summer ends with our annual research symposium, where BCP I & II students give poster presentations on their laboratory experience and BCP III students give oral presentations on their summer research project. Many students opt to receive three college credits from Rutgers University in accordance with the course catalog for their participation in the BCP. Students receive a stipend sufficient to cover housing and living expenses. Housing is available within a short walking distance, on Rutgers University, Busch Campus, in Piscataway, New Jersey.

For further information please call the office of Special Academic Programs at (732) 235-5345 or e-mail your request to boykinsf@umdnj.edu.
Submitted by: Janice M. Johnson, M.D., Director, Special Academic Programs

NEW YORK
Medical College of Cornell University The Travelers Summer Research Fellowship Program allows an experience for twenty-five minority pre-medical juniors for a deeper insight into the wide range of options that exist. The program includes a specific research problem under the supervision of a faculty member, in the laboratories or clinical research, as well as lectures, seminars, observations and discussions. Students receive a living allowance, some travel expenses, and are housed rent-free. Application deadline is around March 1. Contact Associate Dean Bruce L. Ballard, M.D. at (212)-746-1057 for more information.

Mathematical & Theoretical Biology Institute (MTBI) at Cornell University offers a summer undergraduate research program. Based on mathematical training, projects, computer seminars, activites, and mentorship, this program encourages Chicao, Latino, Native Americans and other minorities to pursue graduate studies in these areas. Students who have completed their junior or sophomore year majoring in mathematics, biology, or related subjects can apply for this entirely funded summer. Obtain applications (due March 15) by emailing Professor Carlos Castillo-Chavez at mtbi@cornell.edu.

Gateways to the Laboratory Program is a ten-week program designed for students who are interested in pursuing the combined MD-PhD degree, are freshman/sophomores and are members of an underrepresented group. The program offers independent research projects, clinical activities, a weekly journal club, a mock MCAT exam, mock MD-PhD interviews, a lab technique workshop and numerous educational, social and cultural activities. Reimbursement for travel expenses and a $3,900 stipend is available. On campus housing is also available. Application deadline is around February 1. Download an application from their web site at http://www.med.cornell.edu/mdphd/summer.html.

Albert Einstein College of Medicine offers fellowships for a 9 week summer research program and a special seminar/lecture series for members of underrepresented cultural groups, African America, Latino and Native Americas. For those who completed their sophomore or junior year of college and intend to obtain their M.D. or Ph.D. Travel reimbursement and campus housing will be available along with a $2,500 stipend. Deadline for applications is around March 1. Visit the SCPP or ALPP office for an application. Phone Director Nilda I. Soto at (718) 430-8825 or by e-mail soto@aecom.yu.edu

OHIO
The University of Cincinnati Physician Scientist Training Program sponsors a summer internship for talented undergraduates who plan a career as a physician scientist. Students must demonstrate an economic, educational, geographic, or sociocultural disadvantage and/or be a member of a minority group. Contact Ms. Terri Berning at (513) 558-2380.

University of Cincinnati Medical Center sponsors two summer programs for underrepresented undergraduate students who have completed two years of college interested in medicine and biomedical science. The "Pathways to Health Careers" offers the Summer Premedical Enrichment Program (SPEP) and Summer Research Scholars (SRS). Both programs provide a stipend, housing, partial board and transportation to Cincinnati. Application deadline is around March 1. Applications or information can be obtained from Roberta Handwerger at email Roberta.handwerger@uc.edu

PENNSYLVANIA
Summer Minority Program at the University of Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh Summer Premedical Academic Enrichment Program - Application deadline is around March 8. For more information call: (412) 648-8987, visit their web site and click on "Office of Minority Programs," and "Enrichment Programs" or email paula@medschool.pitt.edu

TENNESSEE
Fisk University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville offers a Premedical Summer Institute in Nashville. This free six-week summer program offers intensive academic and personalized activities for students. Students must have completed one or more years of college, have a 3.00 overall GPA and 2.75 science GPA, and be nominated by an advisor.

WASHINGTON, D.C.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute offers Latinos from across the country the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at the policy level in Washington, DC. CHCI is accepting applications for the Edward Roybal Public Health Fellowship. For details visit the website.

MINORITY DENTAL SCHOOL APPLICANTS

EXCELLENT BOOK: Opportunities for Minority Students in United States Dental Schools 2000-2002,3rd Edition. This book outlines all the U.S. Dental School summer and enrichment programs, academic support programs and financial assistance options for minority students interested in a career in Dentistry. Published by the American Association of Dental Schools, this book is available in 105 O'Shag in the Office for Undergraduate Studies, College of Arts and Letters and in 239 Nieuwland Science, the Department of Preprofessional Studies.

Minority Research Scholars Program is open to any Indiana high school graduate in the top 25% of his/her graduating class from any underrepresented ethnic group. Marios County residents of Indiana are preferred. This program provides free tuition, a $1200 book allowance each year for 4 years. Research opportunities will be available. Contact Professor Marchusa Huff at Indiana University, School of Nursing, (317) 274-8049.

The NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program offers competitive scholarships to students who are committed to careers in biomedical research. Scholarships pay up to $20,000 per academic year, with a limit of four years, in tution and expenses and the student in return serves one summer in a laboratory and serves one year as a full time employee in an NIH research laboratory after graduation. The applicant must be a full time undergraduate student, U.S. student, from a disadvantaged background, and have a 3.5 GPA or be within the top 5% of the class.

The U.S. Army offers medical, dental and optometry scholarships for tuition, books, lab, and a monthly stipend check.

The American Chemical Society is seeking applications from underrepresented minority students for its scholars program. The ACS Scholars program provides financial support to academically accomplished African American, Hispanic, and Native American students in their pursuit of undergraduate studies in chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry, environmental science, and related disciplines. For more details visit www.acs.org/scholars.

Washington University in St. Louis has scholarships for bright black Americans. The students that are chosen will be awarded full tuition for four years. For more information visit admissions.wustl.edu.

The following is a list of links to a lot of scholarships for minority students:

Found a program but need money to pay for it? Apply for the MARC Program. ( https://career.faseb.org/marc/summer.html )
Please keep in mind the following points:

1) it must be an established summer research program
2) this program is only open to minority or underrepresented applicants who are US resident or a green card holder
3) you must be aiming for a PhD program not an MD. If you change your mind that's ok, but for the purposes of the program you need to be striving for a PhD
4) you must find the summer research program program and apply to it first. Once you are accepted you can work with the host institution to apply for a MARC award. All correspondence to made through the host institution and the MARC office (you can't call the MARC office directly) since there are questions that need to be answered about funding resources that you can't answer. For example, if the lab is partially funded through the NIH, then only certain things can be paid for. (See Dean Nemecek if you have questions)
5) the lab will get reimbursed AFTER the program is complete with receipts, not before
6) your school must nominate you and send in all documentation.
7) You can't stay at ND. You must got to another lab.
8) Funding is VERY competitive and the money is distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis. Aim to apply for funding as close to December as possible. Jan and Feb are the busiest months and funding will dwindle quickly. You have the best chance of getting funded if you apply early to a program that has an early deadline. If your program deadline is March, then you do not have a good chance of getting funded.

For additional information about the FASEB MARC Programs:

FASEB MARC Program
FASEB Career Resources Office
9650 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland USA, 20814-3998
TEL: 301-634-7020
FAX: 301-571-0699
marc@faseb.org
(See Dean Nemecek if you have questions)

POSTGRADUATE/RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

American Psychological Association in conjunction with the National Institute of Mental Health offers a Minority Fellowship Program for doctoral students interested in research and service careers related to ethnic minority mental health. Opportunities are in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Mental Health Research Training, HIV/AIDS Research Training, and Neuroscience Training Fellowships. Applications and Brochures are available on their new website or you can phone 202-336-6027.

MEDPREP: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine implemented the Medical/Dental Education Preparatory Program (MEDPREP) on the Carbondale campus in September 1972. MEDPREP is designed to assist eligible students with educationally disadvantaged backgrounds (rural, minority, economically disadvantaged, etc.) to prepare for success in medicine, dentistry, and other health professional field. MEDPREP, which operates on a year round basis, is not a degree granting program.

Mayo Clinic Initiative for Minority Student Development (IMSD) provides training in transitional research from the bench to the bedside. This programs introduces recent minority college graduates to the challenges and rewards of clinical research. The research is centered around determining whether a new treatment is better than a standard treatment. The one or two year program includes clinical research with a mentor and classes for credit, such as clinical research protocol, biostats, practical aspects of patient-orienated research, epidemiology, conduct of research, and other basic sciences. The participant can earn masters in clinical research. Students are given a salary of $23,000/year. Contact Director Rick McGee, Ph.D. for application information.

National Institutes of Health Opportunities

The Undergraduate Scholarship Program sponsored by the NIH: This program offers scholarship awards to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical research. It is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one of the world's foremost centers for biomedical research and research training, and is administered by the Office of Loan Repayment and scholarship, Office of Intramural Research, Office of the Director, NIH. The scholarships pay for tuition and reasonable educational and living expenses up to $20,000 per academic year. In return, recipients are obligated to serve as paid employees in NIH research laboratories during the summer and after graduation. In addition to financial assistance, the scholarship program offers invaluable training and mentoring, as well as practical experience in a state-of-the art research setting.

Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) For Recent College Graduates Fellowships provide opportunities for recent college graduates to spend a year engaged in biomedical investigation at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland and selected off-campus locations. Funding is usually granted for one year, but may be extended for an additional year is the student's work is satisfactory. It is expected that students enrolled in the program initiate applications to medical or graduate school for the year following the IRTA award. To be eligible for consideration, candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and have graduated from an accredited U.S. college or university. Stipend: $18,500 ($16,800 in Arizona, Montana, and North Carolina).

Creighton University School of Medicine has a postbaccalaureate program for educationally and financially disadvantaged students. Located in Omaha,
Nebraska, this program based on the Jesuit mission offers entry into Creighton medical school after a summer program and one academic year. Financial aid
is guaranteed for seven students, and education, mentoring, support and financial aid information is provided as well. Eligible applicants must be U.S.
citizens or have a valid visa, have a baccalaureate degree, have not accepted to medical school anywhere, and be either financially and/or educationally
disadvantaged as specified by Department of Health and Human Services guidelines.

OTHER LINKS

HealthWeb: Michigan State University Libraries, a center for minority medical education and health
Office of Minority Health Resource Center has an information resource of minority health include databases (funding, media, research, data, and listings of volunteer resources persons) as well as scientific reports, journals, and documents. Obtain free services by calling 1-800-444-6472 or send an e-mail to info@omhrc.gov
Transcultural and Multicultural Health Links is a collection of links to trasncultural and multicultural organizations, usenet groups, bibliographies and more. Categories for religious groups and ethnic groups are provided.

Jennifer Ely Nemecek / Assistant Dean, Advisor for ALPP jennifer.e.nemecek.1@nd.edu James K. Foster, CSC, MD / Assistant Professional Specialist and Sophomore Advisor for SCPP james.k.foster.34@nd.edu Last updated 11/10/05

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