Summer Enrichment Program

[rsgrig36]

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Hello all, I have a question regarding summer medical enrichment programs (specifically Columbia University). I was looking over these programs and I would love to go, they seem just perfect for me. However, I am not sure if I am what they are looking for. Currently, I am a freshman but I would not apply until next year (to attend the summer before junior year). My freshman GPA should be no lower than a 3.8 at the end of the year (more like a 3.94). I see that a lot of them require you take Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry before attending. This is where I start to have questions: I am required to take Principles of Physics (that is the non-calc based one here), but on some of the applications it has down General Physics, would this matter? Also, I am considered an Asian American and they stress they want underrepresented minorities in healthcare. I know that does not really include Asians, so am I out of luck? Does anybody know the acceptance rates into these programs?

 

[redlight]

program names, please?

principles of physics is non-calc based? ironic because calculus is the original language of physics.

no, it shouldnt matter which type of physics you take (calc or non calc based, because either satisfies med schools requirments and mcat physics is not calc based). general physics is called different things across schools so you're fine as long as the course isn't a "pre" general physics course (analogous to pre-calc or something like that).

theres no harm in calling to find out if you have a shot at admission. i did smdep last summer, which is primarily for urms, and every race was represented at my program site (also a good chunck of all the participants 10-20% are not urm). i think if you are interested in urban medicine/ helping the underserved you should have a strong case for admission to medical programs in places like washington heights.

 

[rsgrig36]

http://www.smdep.org/progsites/basics.htm
^Has all the programs

I was very interested in Columbia and Howard to be honest. From what I have seen they both seem like awesome summer programs, and Howard is a school that I'd like to apply to when the time comes (I love their philosophy over there). I'm not really sure how to demonstrate my interest in urban medicine? I volunteer at a hospital but it is more rural than anything and it is a well established facility (Penn State Medical Center). The only thing I can think of that would directly show my interest in helping the underprivileged is my Mission Trips to Haiti (helping in a medical center), but that is kind of different than inner-city hospitals.

Which program did you attend? How did you like it? My only other question is I have a girlfriend and being 7 weeks away from her can kind of be a strain, are people allowed to visit? I understand they probably wouldn't let them stay in the dorms, but what is the visitation like?

 

[redlight]

search "last smdep thread ever"
that thread has well over 1000 posts and a few of us '08 participants summarized our experiences (duke, columbia, yale, uwash). i attended the yale program and i loved it (and i provided a synopsis). honestly all the programs and participants are great, but be sure to pick your sites carefully because they all do things differently (ex one site allows you to earn college credits, one site specifically focuses on accepting community college students).

and since you are specifically interested in whether non-urms can attend, look up columbia's smdep site. they have pics of participants (lol). also non-urm sdn memebers were accepted for summer '09. also, if you really need to, check out the '08 facebook group. i know a few people who went last year and as far as i can tell, columbia is one of the more diverse sites ( i think every race was represented last summer @ columbia as well)

im not sure of the other programs' dorm policies but we couldnt have visitors sleep over. we could leave for the weekends and holidays but we had to "sign out" (just let them know where you are going, a number they can reach you by, etc, if someone were to call the office looking for you). tons of people went to NYC in groups for weekend fun-- boston isnt too too far away either but i dont know anyone who went from our year.

 

[rsgrig36]

Thank you all for all the insight and help you guys have given. I'm sorry I didn't see that thread you were referencing before I made this thread.

 

[redlight]

sry, missed your Q about urban medicine.

well you said you have some time before you can apply, correct? can you find an internship or summer opportunity in a big city this summer? take a course in something related in the fall? read books on it (honestly i tied real life experiences, articles and books ive read, courses i took first semester, etc into my essays when relevant). the more angles and vantage points you approach your essay from, the stronger your case/argument/ w.e. is imo.

also in your essay you could say you have had decent exposure to rural medicine but now you are looking for a totally new experience in a new environment, talk about how it would help solidify your intent to enter medicine blah blah blah. id definitely tie in the medical trip and talk about how that experience made you more interested in working in undeserved populations.. if it did haha

could you get a rec letter from the trip?

EDIT: nvm