Jamp

[chendricks1309]

Does anyone know what the avg stats are for the students excepted in to this program? I'm looking for GPA in freshman year, sat/act scores and EC's. Thanks for the input 😀.

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[Bangersandmash]

Does anyone know what the avg stats are for the students excepted in to this program? I'm looking for GPA in freshman year, sat/act scores and EC's. Thanks for the input 😀.

I don't think anyone has ever been excepted into the program.

 

[Stumpyman]

I don't think anyone has ever been excepted into the program.

😕
It's been known to be fairly easy to get into (as compared to all other BS/MD programs).

 

[ShenanigansMD]

😕
It's been known to be fairly easy to get into (as compared to all other BS/MD programs).

No I agree. I don't think anybody has been excepted into Jamp.

Btw what's Jamp? Space Jamp?

 

[chendricks1309]

😕
It's been known to be fairly easy to get into (as compared to all other BS/MD programs).

Really, I was wondering about it. I do meet the financial needs but was wondering if I was even going to be competitive for it. My current stats 4.0 currently through half of my 1st semester so no GPA actually 😀. and 1900 SAT. EC's officer on tennis club and volunteer at local children ER.

 

[chendricks1309]

JAMP is the Joint Admission Medical Program. It is a program for financially deprived pre-meds. You apply in your sophomore year of undergrad. It gives you an auto accept to a Texas Med school granted you maintain 3.25 gpa and get the min MCAT score(25 no section less than 7).

 

[iforget2]

At least at my school, I've heard they barely accept anybody. Like 2 or 3 people. I know for smaller schools like Austin college they only accept 1 person

 

[Bangersandmash]

No I agree. I don't think anybody has been excepted into Jamp.

Btw what's Jamp? Space Jamp?

1. Thank you for noticing.

2. Space Jam is such a great movie.

 

[cheechootrain]

I love Space Jam! Ever since watching that movie, I've always believed I could fly!

 

[Stumpyman]

Really, I was wondering about it. I do meet the financial needs but was wondering if I was even going to be competitive for it. My current stats 4.0 currently through half of my 1st semester so no GPA actually 😀. and 1900 SAT. EC's officer on tennis club and volunteer at local children ER.

Depends what school you go to. I know small schools in TX who haven't had anyone apply in 2-3 years, while other large state schools routinely have 20+ people applying every year.

 

[chendricks1309]

Depends what school you go to. I know small schools in TX who haven't had anyone apply in 2-3 years, while other large state schools routinely have 20+ people applying every year.

I am gonna try at St.Mary's University in San Antonio

 

[La Presse]

You are freakin' out. You'll be fine. I would apply, but I do not "financially qualify" for the program.

 

[BlueLabel]

Don't get me started on JAMP. As a TX resident, I am not a fan of this program. Not because of its intentions, but because of how easily I have seen it exploited.

I will not give out any details while this cycle is still on, but what I will say is this. I am completely in favor of kids who grew up in the ghetto (or, to put it more delicately, who had an underprivileged upbringing) having some help in gaining access to the medical profession. These kids have been behind since day one and if anyone could use a leg up, it's them. That's worthy and noble.

It's when people who had middle class/upper middle class upbringings, who grew up in the lap of privilege, raised with expectations of tertiary education and beyond, are basically nodded into the profession by qualifying for JAMP under what is essentially a technicality, that I start to perceive some unfairness.

I really want to be a doctor, and if I want to get there I'm going to have to scrap tooth and nail to make it, just like the vast majority of applicants. I find it infuriating that people who were raised in similar circumstances as me, who started with the same advantages, are being given a "pass go and collect $200" card. It just isn't right.

That said, I wish you the best of luck with the JAMP process. If you are a legitimate applicant, then you deserve the opportunity.

 

[theseeker4]

I love Space Jam! Ever since watching that movie, I've always believed I could fly!

Whoa whoa whoa, trains don't fly, you are derailing your shtick! 😀

 

[Stumpyman]

Don't get me started on JAMP. As a TX resident, I am not a fan of this program. Not because of its intentions, but because of how easily I have seen it exploited.

I will not give out any details while this cycle is still on, but what I will say is this. I am completely in favor of kids who grew up in the ghetto (or, to put it more delicately, who had an underprivileged upbringing) having some help in gaining access to the medical profession. These kids have been behind since day one and if anyone could use a leg up, it's them. That's worthy and noble.

It's when people who had middle class/upper middle class upbringings, who grew up in the lap of privilege, raised with expectations of tertiary education and beyond, are basically nodded into the profession by qualifying for JAMP under what is essentially a technicality, that I start to perceive some unfairness.

I really want to be a doctor, and if I want to get there I'm going to have to scrap tooth and nail to make it, just like the vast majority of applicants. I find it infuriating that people who were raised in similar circumstances as me, who started with the same advantages, are being given a "pass go and collect $200" card. It just isn't right.

That said, I wish you the best of luck with the JAMP process. If you are a legitimate applicant, then you deserve the opportunity.

It doesn't ask for much in terms of finances, that's for sure.

 

[tn4596]

Don't get me started on JAMP. As a TX resident, I am not a fan of this program. Not because of its intentions, but because of how easily I have seen it exploited.

I will not give out any details while this cycle is still on, but what I will say is this. I am completely in favor of kids who grew up in the ghetto (or, to put it more delicately, who had an underprivileged upbringing) having some help in gaining access to the medical profession. These kids have been behind since day one and if anyone could use a leg up, it's them. That's worthy and noble.

It's when people who had middle class/upper middle class upbringings, who grew up in the lap of privilege, raised with expectations of tertiary education and beyond, are basically nodded into the profession by qualifying for JAMP under what is essentially a technicality, that I start to perceive some unfairness.

I really want to be a doctor, and if I want to get there I'm going to have to scrap tooth and nail to make it, just like the vast majority of applicants. I find it infuriating that people who were raised in similar circumstances as me, who started with the same advantages, are being given a "pass go and collect $200" card. It just isn't right.

That said, I wish you the best of luck with the JAMP process. If you are a legitimate applicant, then you deserve the opportunity.

It is not easy to get into the program though. In addition to having a low family income, you must have a pretty good high school rank, standing GPA and SAT score and ECs, also the deadline is the beginning of your sophomore year so if you didn't know about it when you are a freshman, you are sol. The application is pretty similar to tmdsas, I think more emphasis is placed on your PS and ECs. JAMP interviews are also very selective, with many interviewees being placed into "alternate" (getting the perks of free mcat prep class/free dinners without guarantee acceptance).

PS: to OP: I am not in jamp. But I did apply once I found out about it late in my freshman year. I have top 25%hs rank, 2000 sat, 4.0 gpa, 2 clubs, rec letter from research PI. No interview. You should contact your school jamp coordinator for more information.

 

[Stumpyman]

It is not easy to get into the program though. In addition to having a low family income, you must have a pretty good high school rank, standing GPA and SAT score and ECs, also the deadline is the beginning of your sophomore year so if you didn't know about it when you are a freshman, you are sol. The application is pretty similar to tmdsas, I think more emphasis is placed on your PS and ECs. JAMP interviews are also very selective, with many interviewees being placed into "alternate" (getting the perks of free mcat prep class/free dinners without guarantee acceptance).

PS: I am not in jamp.

Becoming an alternate is a really good thing. JAMP has a 50%+ drop-out rate, and so they take in the alternates to replace the people who dropped out of the program. Quite a few alternates end up getting in.
Again, depends on where you're applying from. UT-Austin's JAMP is likely very hard to get into (it appears half the school is pre-med), but SMU, Baylor, Trinity, etc. have been known to be quite a bit easier.

 

[sinombre]

I love Space Jam! Ever since watching that movie, I've always believed I could fly!

It's possible cheechoo. Reach for the stars!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Scotsman_(train)

 

[BlueLabel]

It is not easy to get into the program though. In addition to having a low family income, you must have a pretty good high school rank, standing GPA and SAT score and ECs, also the deadline is the beginning of your sophomore year so if you didn't know about it when you are a freshman, you are sol. The application is pretty similar to tmdsas, I think more emphasis is placed on your PS and ECs. JAMP interviews are also very selective, with many interviewees being placed into "alternate" (getting the perks of free mcat prep class/free dinners without guarantee acceptance).

PS: to OP: I am not in jamp. But I did apply once I found out about it late in my freshman year. I have top 25%hs rank, 2000 sat, 4.0 gpa, 2 clubs, rec letter from research PI. No interview. You should contact your school jamp coordinator for more information.

I think you're missing the point. Disadvantaged students who meet those requirements deserve the opportunity it presents. People who had a privileged upbringing should not be receiving a frivolous bye, they should have to go through the process like anyone else.

 

[tn4596]

I think you're missing the point. Disadvantaged students who meet those requirements deserve the opportunity it presents. People who had a privileged upbringing should not be receiving a frivolous bye, they should have to go through the process like anyone else.

I agree with you. My point is that the program is not easy to be exploited. Their selection process will make sure the accepted applicants are one who deserve it.

 

[smarts1]

I actually met a few students in JAMP this summer. I was at UTSW SURF and the hotel that they put us in also had JAMP students for a couple of weeks. They were taking classes at UTSW and also did some shadowing. I personally didn't talk to them that much about JAMP because they seemed to all be really close by the time UTSW SURF started. From what they told me, after they get into the program, they're required to take classes (and I think they were medical school classes or more advanced undergrad classes) and do internships during their summers leading up to med school.

I actually didn't even know it was for underpriveleged students. Most of them had cars (pretty nice ones) and didn't seem poor to me at all.

 

[RosettaStoned]

It is not easy to get into the program though. In addition to having a low family income, you must have a pretty good high school rank, standing GPA and SAT score and ECs, also the deadline is the beginning of your sophomore year so if you didn't know about it when you are a freshman, you are sol. The application is pretty similar to tmdsas, I think more emphasis is placed on your PS and ECs. JAMP interviews are also very selective, with many interviewees being placed into "alternate" (getting the perks of free mcat prep class/free dinners without guarantee acceptance).

PS: to OP: I am not in jamp. But I did apply once I found out about it late in my freshman year. I have top 25%hs rank, 2000 sat, 4.0 gpa, 2 clubs, rec letter from research PI. No interview. You should contact your school jamp coordinator for more information.

I think the difficulty of the JAMP program is most definitely school dependent.

 

[CrimsonKing]

Just going to put this in here:

One you are accepted into JAMP (which is not difficult with the exception of a handful of top-tier schools in state), a GPA of 3.0 and an MCAT of 23 will guarantee you acceptance to a medical school in Texas. The specific school is decided using a match system specific to JAMP students, which means a student with a GPA of 3.0 and an MCAT of 23 can end up at Baylor or UT Southwestern. If a student does meet those LOW standards for guaranteed acceptance, they go before a JAMP committee that will decide their fate, which is usually still to be placed into the match.

During my undergraduate experience in Texas I came across many JAMP students. There are a few stars in the program who will make excellent physicians, and there are also those in the program from disadvantaged upbringings that need help. However, many of the JAMP students I interacted with were very lacking in the work ethic and compassion departments, and were using the program for an easy ride to admittance. Also, MOST of the students are actually from affluent families with parents that do not work, but have large income from investments. This lets students game the system because the state of Texas does not look at investments when assessing a family's income.

I am in favor of the program if things like investments were counted to ensure that only students in need received acceptance and the help. With the way the program is now, I feel it primarily works to give slots to those who take advantage of the system, and takes away slots from applicants outside of the JAMP program who may be better qualified.

Once again I mean no offense to anyone who is in the program, I taught and worked with several JAMP students who are definitely deserving.

 

[deleted393595]

Just going to put this in here:

One you are accepted into JAMP (which is not difficult with the exception of a handful of top-tier schools in state), a GPA of 3.0 and an MCAT of 23 will guarantee you acceptance to a medical school in Texas. The specific school is decided using a match system specific to JAMP students, which means a student with a GPA of 3.0 and an MCAT of 23 can end up at Baylor or UT Southwestern. If a student does meet those LOW standards for guaranteed acceptance, they go before a JAMP committee that will decide their fate, which is usually still to be placed into the match.

During my undergraduate experience in Texas I came across many JAMP students. There are a few stars in the program who will make excellent physicians, and there are also those in the program from disadvantaged upbringings that need help. However, many of the JAMP students I interacted with were very lacking in the work ethic and compassion departments, and were using the program for an easy ride to admittance. Also, MOST of the students are actually from affluent families with parents that do not work, but have large income from investments. This lets students game the system because the state of Texas does not look at investments when assessing a family's income.

I am in favor of the program if things like investments were counted to ensure that only students in need received acceptance and the help. With the way the program is now, I feel it primarily works to give slots to those who take advantage of the system, and takes away slots from applicants outside of the JAMP program who may be better qualified.

Once again I mean no offense to anyone who is in the program, I taught and worked with several JAMP students who are definitely deserving.

Wonder how JAMPers do on Step I vs other kids.

 

[tyu]

This thread reminds me why I don't often visit SDN or post here.

Don't get me started on JAMP. As a TX resident, I am not a fan of this program. Not because of its intentions, but because of how easily I have seen it exploited.

JAMP while not perfect cannot be easily exploited. They use FASFA for a large part of their financial determination, but also as personal background/history. Cheating FASFA is difficult unless your parents are extremely wealthy, plan ,ahead, and are willing to take a bit hit in terms opportunity cost especially considering the low cost of tuition in Texas.

It's when people who had middle class/upper middle class upbringings, who grew up in the lap of privilege, raised with expectations of tertiary education and beyond, are basically nodded into the profession by qualifying for JAMP under what is essentially a technicality, that I start to perceive some unfairness.

I guess this depends on your definition of middle class or upper middle class, but I have not met any JAMPers who did not come from what I would consider a relatively disadvantaged background either in terms of educational opportunities of just straight socio-economic status. Though I have noticed JAMP seems to have a bias toward URMs though as a percentage of the population URMs tend to have a lower socio-economic status so that may not mean much.

What does frustrate me is that many people who are estranged and received no financial support from their parents but still considered dependents due to the outdated FASFA rules cannot qualify for JAMP. In other words, I know more deserving people who could not qualify for JAMP due to the way FASFA determines need/ SES. I am talking about people who suffered abuse, left home, worked, raised children, etc. all while going to school and maintaining excellent grades.

I really want to be a doctor, and if I want to get there I'm going to have to scrap tooth and nail to make it, just like the vast majority of applicants.

I hate to break it to you, but everyone regardless of their background has to work hard to get into medical school. Keep in mind that the majority of applicants (>50%) come from families with annual incomes >100,000 USD. A sizable number come from families with at least one doctor which is a huge advantage in and of itself.

I find it infuriating that people who were raised in similar circumstances as me, who started with the same advantages, are being given a "pass go and collect $200" card. It just isn't right.

Being a JAMPer is not a cake walk or a free pass; there is a reason for the high attrition.

But beyond that life is not fair. Respectfully, you really need to ditch the entitled/"boo hoo, poor me" attitude. Besides doing well in school and on the MCAT that is the number one thing you can do for your application because if there is a hint of that in your essays or interviews you are tanked.

Also since no one ever mentions this, JAMP does come with one significant disadvantage: if you are a JAMPer with high stats you do not have your choice of medical schools. JAMPers do not get pre-matched and they are not eligible for the waitlists like normal applicants. They have their own separate match which occurs earlier and that alone decides their fate.

From what they told me, after they get into the program, they're required to take classes (and I think they were medical school classes or more advanced undergrad classes) and do internships during their summers leading up to med school.

They are required to do paid internships/research/programs for two summers, but they do not take medical school level-classes or more advanced undergrad classes. They are given MCAT prep classes free of charge.

I actually didn't even know it was for underpriveleged students. Most of them had cars (pretty nice ones) and didn't seem poor to me at all.

Cars, cellphones, etc. are terrible indicators of true wealth or SES. The Millionare Next Door is worth a read.

One you are accepted into JAMP (which is not difficult with the exception of a handful of top-tier schools in state), a GPA of 3.0 and an MCAT of 23 will guarantee you acceptance to a medical school in Texas. The specific school is decided using a match system specific to JAMP students, which means a student with a GPA of 3.0 and an MCAT of 23 can end up at Baylor or UT Southwestern.

The requirements are now higher as someone correctly reported earlier in the thread. The minimum MCAT is 25 total with no less than 7 in any section. The minimum GPA is now 3.25. In addition all Medical School prerequisite courses must be taken at the student’s home undergraduate school and must be passed with a grade of “C” or better. Students must score least 17 on the MCAT to be able to participate in the 2nd summer internship.
[From this page:http://www.utsystem.edu/jamp/students/criteria-guidelines.htm]

Also, MOST of the students are actually from affluent families with parents that do not work, but have large income from investments. This lets students game the system because the state of Texas does not look at investments when assessing a family's income.

I really do not buy this whatsoever. FASFA which JAMP users to determine financial eligibility does consider most investments and definitely income from investments (capital gains). It is possible to hide some assets from the EFC legally, but without extreme wealth, an inordinate amount of planning, and willingness to to take on a large opportunity cost (if you are truly wealthy enough to pull it off) you cannot legally game the system. Of course it is possible to do illegally, but I don't think many people with the SES you describe are willing to do that.

There are other ways to exploit loopholes in FASFA, but they come with their own disadvantages.

If it were possible to exploit FASFA legally and easily, a whole lot more wealthy and middle-class people would be doing it.