Outreach Programs
College Summer Enrichment Program - (SEP) 2008

Program Dates: June 1 - June 27, 2008
Deadline to Apply: March 15, 2008

The College Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) is a tuition-free four-week residential program for undergraduate sophomores and juniors interested in entering the health professions. The goals of the program are to help participants improve their qualifications and competitive standing for admission to professional, graduate and/or medical school. The program includes enrichment activities to enhance participants’ academic and communication skills.  Sessions include the professional school application process with emphasis on medical school admissions and financing professional school. Seminars on biomedical research and cultural contemporary health issues are also provided. Additionally, the SEP offers participants the opportunity to interact with medical students, scientists, physicians, and other healthcare professionals.  Upon successful completion of the program, each participant is awarded a Certificate of Achievement.

RECRUITMENT VISITS

Recruitment for the program consists of visits by the SEP Director to Massachusetts colleges and Open House Visits.

COLLEGE VISITS BY THE SEP DIRECTOR

The SEP Director visits colleges and programs throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts during the months of October through February and does a presentation about the College Summer Enrichment Program as well as passes out brochures to familiarize teachers, professors, advisors/guidance counselors, deans, and students with the carrer opportunities in healthcare.

OPEN HOUSE VISITS

The Office of Outreach Programs at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) in Worcester sponsors Scheduled Open House Visits to familiarize college students, pre-health advisors, community-based organizations, and parents with the career opportunities in healthcare. The Open House includes a tour of certain departments of the UMMS Campus, a guest speaker and presentation in the amphitheater. Reservations to attend a College Summer Enrichment Program Open House must be made by a college teacher/professor, advisor, or leader of a community-based organization.

2008 College Summer Enrichment Program Open House Date

Time: 11:30am-4pm

Wednesday, January 23, 2008 (Snow Date: Friday, February 1, 2008)

Please contact Kathleen Rancourt at 508.856.2707
to make reservations or for more information.
Attending an Open House is not required to apply for the program.

THE COLLEGE SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

GOAL 

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, mock interviews and computer literacy.
• Prepare the participants for standardized exams such as the MCAT and GRE.  Coach participants in preparing professional school applications such as the AMCAS and medial school interviews.
• Provide participants with information on how to finance a medical, graduate or professional education.

ELIGIBILITY 

Current sophomores and juniors from under-represented and disadvantaged backgrounds. Disadvantaged individuals include those from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds (i.e. first generation college graduates). Under-represented individuals include those groups under-represented in medicine, nursing, and biomedical research.

Students who have completed a minimum of eight (8) credit hours of Organic Chemistry and who have completed a minimum of thirty (30) credit hours of college work will receive priority consideration. Applicants must have graduated from a Massachusetts high school or be in attendance at a Massachusetts college or university.

APPLICATION PROCESS 

Online applications and supporting documents may be submitted from November 15, 2007 to March 15, 2008. The deadline is March 15th and there are no extensions. Applications must be completed online and submitted no later than the deadline to be accepted.

1. Submit Online Application. Applications must be completed online and submitted no later than the deadline to be accepted. Applications cannot be saved mid-process so be sure to have enough time to complete the application when you begin.

2. Print the following forms (in the box below) and mail to us no later than March 15th. All forms are in pdf format; if you don't already have Adobe Reader, download the free reader now, Adobe Reader Download.

College Summer Enrichment Program Checklist Be sure to read the instructions on this form carefully Personal Statement Recommendation Form (print 3) GPA Calculation Sheet

3. Also supply the following:

Official College Transcript (must include official school seal and/or be on school watermarked paper and be signed) Current Resume

 

APPLICATION ASSISTANCE

For assistance with the application process, call the Office of Outreach Programs at the UMass Medical School (Worcester) at 508-856-2707 or (toll free) 877- 395-3149 (press 2). If further computer assistance is needed, please contact webservices.

SELECTION COMMITEE

Applications are reviewed in March by the SEP Selection Committee. Interviews will be conducted by the Program Coordinator in person. Students are notified of their selection by email the last week of April.

PROGRAM OUTLINE

CURRICULUM 

The SEP is held Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. from June 2, 2008 through June 27, 2008.  The SEP provides participants with a glimpse of what medical and graduate education requires and the opportunity to become familiar with a professional school setting.  The academic enrichment work focuses on communication skills, study skills, time management and test taking strategies. Science enrichment focuses on physics.  Additionally, step-by-step sessions on completing the application process, for the American Medical College Admissions Service (AMCAS) application and personal statement are also conducted. Practice medical school interviews and workshop on financing a graduate/professional education are also offered.

The four week program is taught by qualified professionals who are strongly committed to the goals of the program.

To view the schedule for SEP 2007 click here .

HOUSING & TRANSPORTION 

The University of Massachusetts Medical School does not have dormitories. Participants are housed in dormitories at local colleges.  Participants are REQUIRED to reside at the residence hall for the duration of the program.

Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) bus passes are provided to allow participants to commute within the city.

STIPEND 

Stipends will be paid to the participants.