View the 2009 Research Projects

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.

The program is open to U.S. citizens or those with Permanent Resident status and who either graduated from a Massachusetts high school or attend a Massachusetts college or university.

 SEP 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.

Please contact Outreach Programs at 508.856.2417
to make reservations or for more information.
Note: 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 

• Applicants must have graduated from a Massachusetts high school or be in attendance at a Massachusetts college or university.
• Current sophomores and juniors from under-represented OR disadvantaged backgrounds. Disadvantaged individuals include those from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds (i.e. first those who meet federal poverty guidelines or those who will be 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.  

Online applications and supporting documents may be submitted from November 15th -  March 15th. The Applications must be completed online and all supporting documents must be in our office by March 15th.

1. Submit Online Application. Applications must be completed online. Applications cannot be saved mid-process so be sure to have enough time to complete the application when you begin.

2. Print the forms in the box below. The forms are required. All forms are in pdf format; if you don't already have Adobe Reader, download the free reader now, Adobe Reader Download.

Guidelines and Checklist

Personal Statement

GPA Calculation Sheet

Recommendation Form

 3. Also supply the following: 

• An official college transcript, which means it must include an official school seal and/or be on school watermarked paper and be signed.
• Current Resume

  
(Applications are available between November 15 - March 15)

 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) or email Outreach Programs at: outreach.programs@umassmed.edu. If further computer assistance is needed, please contact webservices.

SELECTION COMMITEE

Applications are reviewed in March by the SEP Selection Committee. Students are notified of their selection by email in April.

The SEP Course Outline

CURRICULUM 

The SEP is held Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. from June 1, 2009 through June 26, 2009.  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.

View the 2008 Schedule

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 at the completion of the program.