Information for CU Boulder applicants
This program is designed for sophomores (second-year students) and is a form of “Early Assurance” Program. Students selected for the program will be assured that, if they meet the continuing requirements of the program, they will be accepted into the University of Colorado School of Medicine (SOM) after completing their undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado.
The purpose of this program is three-fold:
1. To encourage these excellent students to do highly advanced work in their final two-three years of college and/or postgraduate study.
2. To recruit outstanding undergraduates to the SOM.
3. To decrease the cost, both in time and money, of the medical school application process for these students.
The intent is to select five or six sophomore students each year for admission to the SOM two to three years after selection. The Preprofessional Advising Office will help to identify the candidates for this selection process. The actual selection of the students will be performed by a joint Selection Committee consisting of the Associate Dean for Admissions of the SOM, the head of the PreMed Advising unit of each University of Colorado undergraduate campus and three additional members of the SOM Admissions Committee.
Medical Scholars Program
Students may select any major and are encouraged to obtain a broad liberal arts education and to participate in the wide range of opportunities available on their undergraduate campus. They will also participate in medically related seminars, research programs and other clinical and community service activities. Students will complete a bachelor’s (or bachelor’s-master’s degree) in two to three years after selection. They may also delay entrance into medical school for one to two years after graduation in order to take advantage of special opportunities such as Fulbright Fellowship, Peace Corps, Teach for America.
Mentorship
Each Medical Scholar will be paired with a faculty member on their campus and a local physician to provide academic and clinical mentorship throughout the Program.
Research Opportunities
Clinical Research: Medical Scholars are strongly encouraged to take the Applied Clinical Research course (IPHY 3500) offered through UCB in their second or third year. This course teaches students how to formulate hypotheses, apply the scientific method, perform properly controlled experiments and includes participation in a clinical research study at Denver Health, University of Colorado Hospital or Children’s Hospital. Opportunities are also available to participate in further research projects through that program, as well as with faculty through various programs offered on the undergraduate campuses (e.g., URAP, UROP and/or in departmental honors programs).
Summer Fellowship Program: Medical Scholars are strongly encouraged to participate in community-based or clinically relevant projects that allow them to work closely with patients and providers. One example of this would be the Summer Cancer Fellowships offered at the Health Sciences Center. Special emphasis is placed on projects or experiences that teach students about the health care needs of underserved areas or populations.
BA-MA/MS Program: This program, currently available on the Boulder Campus, provides students the opportunity to pursue a research topic in depth and receive a MA or MS degree along with their BA.
Seminar Series (non-credit, meets twice per semester): Jointly supported by faculty at the three undergraduate campuses and the SOM, these seminars will explore issues linking current developments in clinical research, ethics and health care delivery. Emphasis will be placed on student participation in a relatively unstructured and informal format with the goal of developing a critical and inquiring approach to exploring complex issues. Each topic will have required background reading and significant class discussions.
Application Process
- Preliminary Applications: Due February 1. Download Preliminary Application Form.
- Formal (Secondary) Applications by invitation only. These are due on April 1 and include evidence of:
• Sophomore (second-year) standing (CU transcripts showing a minimum of 45 credit hours and, typically, maximum of 60 credit hours completed at a University of Colorado campus)
• minimum CU GPA of 3.5
• Coursework completed by May must include at least:
General Biology (two semesters with labs)
General Chemistry (two semester with labs)
Physics 1 (one semester with lab)
Organic Chemistry 1 (one semester with lab)
Calculus 1
• SAT/ACT scores (minimum SAT 1300, including Critical Reading and Mathematics) or minimum composite ACT 30)
• Essay on a topic assigned by the Selection Committee
• Resume
• Two letters of recommendation from University of Colorado faculty members
- Students selected for interview will meet in early June with the full seven-member Selection Committee
- Those selected as Medical Scholars will be informed that their subsequent matriculation to the SOM will be contingent upon:
• Continued highly successful academic work at with a GPA of 3.5 or greater in their last two (or three) years.
• A score of 30 or higher on the MCAT exam
• A continuing record of research, community and health care service during the two-three years after admission into the program
Medical Scholars who meet the conditions of the program must complete the AMCAS application. They will not need to complete the SOM supplemental application, provide letters of recommendation or go through the interview process. Medical Scholars who complete these requirements are assured of admission to the UCHSC SOM. Note that this program does not confer in-state residency on out-of-state applicants. Medical Scholars who wish to apply to medical schools other than UCHSC SOM will enter the regular applicant pool and will be treated as any other normal applicant.
01/7/09
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