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ExploreHealthCareers.org/preenrichmentprograms
3 things to look for in a pre-health enrichment program
Imagine sitting inches from a human cadaver... Researching the cure for a devastating disease... or helping a child with impaired vision learn to write her name.
Imagine sitting inches from a human cadaver... Researching the cure for a devastating disease... or helping a child with impaired vision learn to write her name.
These are the types of experiences you might encounter during a summer in a pre-health enrichment program. Many universities offer pre-health enrichment programs for students who are interested in health careers.
Look for a program that provides academic enrichment, research experience and a focus on the issues that interest you.
Academic enrichment
Many students lack the academic skills necessary to perform well in health professions school. Pre-health enrichment programs can provide students with an opportunity to strengthen academic and study skills.
For example, the Student Medical Dental Education Program (SMDEP) is a free, six-week national program funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with direction and technical assistance provided by the Association of American Medical Colleges and the American Dental Education Association. The goal of SMDEP is to increase the number of highly qualified applicants to medical and dental school.
Academic enrichment includes basic science courses in organic chemistry, physics and biology, as well as pre-calculus and calculus. In addition, career development, learning skills seminars, limited clinical exposure and financial management workshops are offered as part of a complete preparation package.
SMDEP is only open to freshman and sophomore undergraduate students. The deadline to apply for SMDEP is March 1, 2009 for summer 2009.
“It is critical to find a program that emphasizes academic enrichment,” says David Brunson, DDS, Associate Director, Center for Equity and Diversity at the American Dental Education Association, and Co-Deputy Director of the SMDEP program.
“I have seen a number of admissions committees focus on how a student performs in a known rigorous summer experience and will consider that experience valuable when they become a health professions student,” says Dr. Brunson.
“The strongest benefit of an enrichment program is exposure to core courses taught at a professional level. Students develop confidence that they can perform academically at a professional level.”
Opportunities to conduct research
Research experience can set you apart when applying to college or health professions schools. There are two types of summer research programs: basic science and clinical research. Both research methodologies employ rigorous standards to ensure results are accurate, meaningful and reliable. Basic science research helps uncover new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent illness. Once a treatment undergoes testing in the basic science laboratory, it is tested on human subjects in clinical research.
During a summer research program, you may spend 6 to 9 weeks in a basic science laboratory assisting scientists with the discovery of a new drug or treatment, or assist a physician in a clinical research trial.
Look for research programs that offer the opportunity to create a poster presentation. This presentation may lead to future opportunities to publish or present your findings at a national scientific meeting.
The National Institutes of Health offers a Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research for high school, undergraduate, graduate school and professional school students. The application process opens in mid November 2008 for summer 2009. Search for other research programs on EHC.
If you really enjoy research, consider a career as a physician scientist or pharmaceutical scientist. Other health professionals, including veterinarians and optometrists, also participate in basic science and clinical research trials.
A focus that matches your interests
If you have a specific interest – in cancer prevention, for example, or prenatal care – a pre-enrichment program can help deepen your passion and knowledge. Understanding health policy implications and their impact on the quality and access of healthcare encourages students to become actively involved in creating solutions to problems in the healthcare industry.
For example, the Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars Program is open to college seniors or recent graduates who wish to focus on issues affecting racial and ethnic minorities, and underserved communities. The program is funded by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation in partnership with Howard University.
For nine weeks, scholars are placed in congressional offices to gain knowledge about federal legislative procedures and health policy issues. Scholars participate in seminars and site visits and are required to write a health policy paper that addresses a concern for disadvantaged populations. The deadline to apply to this program is December 12, 2008.
If you’re interested in health policy issues, consider a career in public health or health administration. Public health officials develop policies and programs, such as health care reform, that affect the community at large.
One more thing
In addition to offering academic enrichment, research experience and exposure to areas that interest you, choose a pre-health enrichment program that challenges you academically and professionally. Talk to students who have participated in the program previously to help you decide if the program is right for you.
Remember, a pre-health enrichment program is not just a way to spend your summer. This is your opportunity to improve academically and learn about career opportunities. You’ll also make excellent contacts that can provide valuable references. If you make a good impression, the Associate Dean or Director (who often sit on the admissions committee for a particular institution) can advocate for you if you choose to apply to their institution. Some admissions committees guarantee an interview to students who participated in a rigorous enrichment program.
Some programs, including SMDEP, offer individual counseling sessions to help you through the application process. Some programs require you to complete an academic plan that outlines the next steps and courses you need to take each semester or quarter to achieve your goals.
Get a competitive advantage
Most health profession degree programs expect students to participate in pre-health enrichment programs. These experiences enhance your resume when you apply to health profession programs. You can also make lasting friendships with your peers which will ultimately help build a strong professional network.
Finding the right program may take a little research, but the experience provides personal growth opportunities and helps you make better informed career-decisions. You are in the driver’s seat and should know ahead of time, what your plan action is achieve your goal of becoming a health professional.
As Dr. Brunson says, “I have never heard a student say that they wasted their time attending a program.”
In Part II of this series…
Explore pre-health enrichment programs with a special emphasis on providing care to underserved communities in the U.S. and abroad.
Learn more:
Dentist
Family Medicine
Global Health
Health Services Administration
Maternal and Child Health
Pathologist
Pharmaceutical Scientist
Physician (M.D.)
Physician Scientist
Podiatrist (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine)
Public Health Practice & Program Management
Veterinarian