"Undergraduate health care policy opportunities prepared me for a leadership role in coordinating two health care reform rallies while in medical school."

Mark Rabbat
BS, Psychology

Thank you for your interest in the MD Medical Scholars Program. We look forward to receiving your application to the program. We hope the information provided here will help make this complex application procedure as simple as possible.

Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the Attributes of Competitive MD Medical Scholars Program Applicants, MD Medical Scholars Program FAQs, and MD Medical Scholars Program Components before downloading and completing your application.

The CHM Committee on Admissions is responsible for the selection of applicants to participate in the MD Medical Scholars Program. For the class entering 2009, students must apply to Michigan State University and to the Medical Scholars Program by November 15, 2008. Please note that these are two completely separate application procedures. Applicants to the MD Medical Scholars Program MUST submit both an MD Medical Scholars Program Application AND a Michigan State University Undergraduate Application.

The MD Medical Scholars Program is open ONLY to applicants who are seniors in high school at the time they apply. High school graduates are NOT eligible for application to the Medical Scholars Program. Ten high school seniors are admitted into the Medical Scholars Program each year.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Michigan State University undergraduate application process, including scholarships, you must contact the MSU Office of Admissions. The CHM Office of Admissions can address only those questions directly concerning the MD Medical Scholars Program.

MSU Application

MD Medical Scholars Program applicants must apply to Michigan State University (MSU) by November 15 as a candidate for the bachelor's degree. This deadline also applies to eligibility for Alumni Distinguished Scholarships and other scholarships. Only students admitted to MSU are considered for the Medical Scholars Program.

To obtain a Michigan State University undergraduate application, see your high school guidance counselor or contact:

MSU Office of Admissions
250 Administration Building
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone (517) 353-8332
Fax: (517) 353-1647
Email: msuadmis@msu.edu
Online Application/Request for Information

Fee: A $35 nonrefundable MSU Admissions application fee is required.

College of Human Medicine
MD Medical Scholars Program Application

Applicants to the MD Medical Scholars Program for the 2009 entering class must submit the application fee and the program application by the deadline of midnight, November 15, 2008. Be sure to carefully read the instructions for completing and submitting the application.

After the November 15 application submission deadline has passed and all MD Medical Scholar Program applications have been received, a member of the CHM Committee on Admissions and a trained CHM student will review and assess each application to determine whether to issue an interview invitation or reject the application from further consideration. Interview invitations will not be issued prior to January 15, 2009. You will receive notification by email or postal mail as soon as a decision has been made.

Because the Committee on Admissions is looking for applicants who demonstrate leadership and initiative, we expect applicants to communicate with the Office of Admissions directly rather than having others contact our office. Email is the preferred method of communication with our office; telephone calls are strongly discouraged. If an applicant is 18 years or older the Office of Admissions cannot discuss the application with anyone other than the applicant.

The 2008 MD Medical Scholars Program Application deadline has passed, and the application is no longer available. THE 2009 PROGRAM APPLICATION WILL BE AVAILABLE aUGUST 1, 2008.

Application Dos and Don'ts:

• DO apply to both Michigan State University AND the MD Medical Scholars Program (two separate applications).

• DO return your Medical Scholars Program application by the November 15 midnight deadline.

• DO remember to submit your application fee.

• DO answer all questions only within the space provided when completing the Medical Scholars Program application.

• Please DO NOT submit additional pages via email; they will not be considered when reviewing your application.

• DO NOT send any supplementary materials to the Office of Admissions; they will not be considered when your application is reviewed.

• DO NOT send any letters of evaluation at this time. If you achieve finalist status for the program, we will request letters at that time.

• PLEASE DO NOT call the Office of Admissions to inquire about the status of your application. You will be notified by mail and/or email as soon as a decision has been made.

Preliminary Decision

After review of your application, grades, ACT/SAT scores, and faculty and student assessments, the Committee on Admissions will either invite you to interview for Medical Scholars Program (finalist status) or reject your application from further consideration. If the Committee rejects your application, the application process is complete and no further consideration will be given to your application.

Finalists

Interviews

All Medical Scholars Program finalists will receive an invitation to attend the Medical Scholars Program Interview Day. Interviews take place on the first two Fridays of February, in conjunction with the MSU Alumni Distinguished Scholarship (ADS) competition. The Medical Scholars Program and the ADS competition are separate functions with decisions made independent of one another.

Letters of Evaluation

When invited to interview, Medical Scholars Program finalists must submit three letters of evaluation.

• DO read the FAQ that describes who should write your letters of evaluation. The office staff cannot advise you about who should write your letters, so calling the Office of Admissions will not be helpful to you.

• Please DO NOT send more than three letters.

• DO NOT contact our office to see if we have received your letters; we will contact you via email if your letters are missing.
  

Final Decisions

All Medical Scholars Program finalists are interviewed by a CHM faculty member and a CHM medical student. The applicant's entire file, including the application, grades, ACT/SAT scores, all faculty and student assessments, and letters of evaluation, is reviewed. Applicants are then presented to the CHM Committee on Admissions. The Committee will decide to accept the applicant, place the applicant on the alternate list, or to not accept the applicant to the Medical Scholars Program. Applicants are informed of their acceptance status by mid-March.

Medical Scholars Program Acceptance

MD Medical Scholars Program applicants who are accepted into the program must pay a $100 nonrefundable Advanced Enrollment Deposit to hold their place in the entering Medical Scholars Cohort. All new Medical Scholars must affirm minimum physical and emotional standards to perform as a physician by signing the CHM Technical Standards form. They must also sign an Acceptance Agreement with the College of Human Medicine that outlines minimum program requirements and Medical Scholar roles and responsibilities. This agreement may be terminated by the Medical Scholar at any time, with the understanding that the conditional offer of acceptance to the College of Human Medicine will be revoked. Medical Scholars who terminate their agreement may apply for admission to the College of Human Medicine through the regular admissions process, outlined in the CHM Premedical Handbook and Self-Assessment Guide.

Michigan State University

Michigan State University is an internationally renowned land-grant institute that is committed to excellence in research, teaching, and community outreach. MSU has a well-deserved reputation for preparing premedical students to become successful medical school applicants. Academic and premedical advisors assist MSU students in developing academic schedules that meet premedical requirements.

About the College of Human Medicine

The College of Human Medicine (CHM) is renowned for innovation and excellence in medical student education. Established in 1964 in response to Michigan's need for primary care physicians, CHM was the nation’s first community integrated medical school, with a curriculum that emphasized a patient-centered philosophy and a biopsychosocial approach to caring for patients. Founding faculty held the philosophies of William Osler and Francis Peabody, 19th century physicians who asserted, “The secret to the care for the patient is caring for the patient,” an attitude that continues to guide the school’s curriculum and policies to this day.

College of Human Medicine Michigan State University Mission Statement The College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University is committed to educating exemplary physicians and scholars, discovering and disseminating new knowledge, and providing service at home and abroad. We enhance our communities by providing outstanding primary and specialty care, promoting the dignity and inclusion of all people, and responding to the needs of the medically underserved.

Introduction to the MD Medical Scholars Program

"I took full advantage of MSU's great resources. I was able to focus on my personal development, participate in research, and study abroad."

Cecily Clark
BS, Lyman Briggs Human Biology,
Specialization in Bioethics, Humanities, and Society

Each year the MD Medical Scholars Program offers a unique enrichment opportunity to 10 academically talented students entering Michigan State University as freshmen. Successful applicants to this program are outstanding high school seniors who demonstrate their interest in becoming physicians and leaders through their academic achievement, medical/clinical experiences, and community leadership experiences. The CHM Committee on Admissions selects the Medical Scholars Program participants, favoring applicants who demonstrate leadership and initiative and who have strong humanistic qualities, including compassion, moral strength, and an understanding of individual differences. Preference is given to in-state applicants; typically, eight of the 10 entering Medical Scholars are from Michigan.

The MD Medical Scholars Program, founded in the liberal arts tradition often associated with small, private colleges, is a unique combination of programmatic opportunities, guidance, and expectations for students. The MD Medical Scholars Program strives to prepare students for progressive independence, maturity, knowledge of the world, understanding of its diverse inhabitants, and respect for their differing points of view.

Upon graduation from MSU and successful completion of the MD Medical Scholars Program requirements, Medical Scholars are granted regular admission to the College of Human Medicine without having to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and without having to follow the traditional application process required of all other College of Human Medicine applicants. It is expected that MD Medical Scholars Program graduates will have developed academically, emotionally, motivationally, and socially in readiness for the rigors of medical education and a career in medicine.

Making the Decision to Become a Physician

Many high school students wonder what it would be like to become a physician. Certainly experience with illness in oneself or family, work in a clinical setting, or assisting others in need can help in forming that decision. A valuable resource is the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC), which offers information and guidance about pursuing a career in the health care field. Please visit their website, Considering a Career in Medicine, to view topics such as "Deciding to Become a Doctor," "Exploring Careers in Medicine," and "It Costs How Much?"

Clinical and volunteer Experience

It is important that your goal to become a physician be based upon experience. Medical/clinical and other volunteer experiences will help you understand yourself and the medical profession while serving others. The following list includes examples of medical/clinical and other opportunities in the College of Human Medicine communities, along with contact information for other communities and organizations that may be helpful as you seek these experiences.

Flint:

Hurley Medical Center
810-257-9152
Age 15+, grades 10-12
“Health career volunteers” help with patient transport, answer call lights, feed patients, etc.

Genesys Regional Medical Center
810-606-5100
Multiple locations
Variety of opportunities available

Willowbrook Manor (Nursing Home)
810-733-0290
Age 14+
Help with activities, games, crafts

Grand Rapids:

Spectrum Health
Multiple locations
616-391-1804
Age 16+
Wide variety of opportunities available

St. Mary’s Health Care
616-752-6090
Age 16+
Wide variety of opportunities available

Holland Home
616-235-5093
Ages 12-17
Wide variety of opportunities available

Kalamazoo:

Borgess Health Alliance
269-226-4882
Age 14+
Wide variety of opportunities available

Alamo Nursing Home
269-343-2587
Age 14+
Visits, spending time with patients, helping with group programs

Lansing:

Ingham Regional Medical Center
517-334-2121
Wide variety of opportunities available

Sparrow Health System
517-364-3606
Online application
Grades 9-12
Wide variety of opportunities available

Hospice of Lansing
517-882-4500
12 hours training for patient care positions
Opportunities to help nurses in facility

Hazel Findley Nursing Home (St. Johns)
989-224-8936
Help with activities

Northern Michigan:

Northern Michigan Hospital (Petoskey)
Susan Stout, Volunteer Services — 231-487-4111
VolunTEENS program for Petoskey High School Medical Occupations students
Other students age 16+ w/ pre-med interest
Employment — dietary only for high school students
Human Resources: 231-487-4085

Marquette General Health System
906-225-3280
Age 14+
Wide variety of opportunities available

Norlite Nursing Center
906-228-9252

Saginaw:

St. Mary’s Medical Center
989-776-1920
Age 15+ or 9th grade or higher
Wide variety of opportunities available

Covenant Medical Center
989-583-6048
Age 16+
Wide variety of opportunities available

St. Francis Home
989-781-3150
Age 14+
Activities, visit with residents

Clinical Organizations and Agencies in Michigan:

American Red Cross
Mid-Michigan Chapter - American Red Cross
517-484-7461 ext.104
Online application
Wide variety of opportunities available

Hospice of Michigan
Age 14+
Online application
Listen, read, visit with patients, arts and crafts

Volunteers of America — Michigan
9th grade and up
Thrift store, deliveries, special events

National Organizations

This is by no means a complete list; it is meant only to provide you with a starting point for seeking out experiences. Check with your local hospitals, charitable organizations, food banks, homeless shelters, religious organizations, women's shelters, human services organizations, social service organizations, Humane Society, and other organizations for opportunities in your area.

America's Promise — The Alliance for Youth
America's Promise has launched a multi-faceted youth engagement strategy to move more young people to active citizenship – service, leadership, and advocacy – on both a local and national level.

American Red Cross
The nation's premier emergency response organization.

Amizade
Amizade encourages intercultural exploration and understanding through community-driven volunteer programs and service-learning courses.

Big Brothers Big Sisters
The oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States.

Habitat for Humanity
Campus Chapters & Youth Programs
Works to capture the imagination, energy and hope of young people worldwide, ages five to 25, to productively and responsibly involve them as leaders in the work of Habitat for Humanity.

Idealist & Actions without Borders
Kids and teens
Idealist.org is a portal for everyone interested in nonprofit organizations and issues, nonprofit careers, and volunteering. Over 45,000 nonprofit organizations from around the world use Idealist.org to list information about the work they do. This information includes their mission and how to contact them, volunteer opportunities, internships, resources, and services that they provide.

Landmark Volunteers — Youth Across America
Gives high school students the opportunity to make a real difference in the world around them through volunteer opportunities with leading cultural, environmental, historic, and social service across the country.

Learn & Serve America Corporation for National and Community Service
Supports service-learning in schools and community organizations.
Check with your school to see if they participate in this program.

Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network
The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network engages and mobilizes millions of volunteers who are helping to solve serious social problems in thousands of communities.

Students in Service to America
Engaging America's students in a lifelong habit of service.

VolunteerMatch
VolunteerMatch is a leader in the nonprofit world dedicated to helping everyone find a great place to volunteer.

VIP — Volunteers In Parks
Volunteer in one of our country's National Parks.

Other Community Opportunities

University of Michigan Health System
734-936-4327
Age requirements vary
Wide variety of opportunities

Arbor Hospice & Home Care
734-662-5999
Locations in Ann Arbor, Northville, Trenton
In-home visits, help feed patients, etc.

Attributes of Competitive
MD Medical Scholars Program Applicants

Competitive MD Medical Scholars Program applicants will possess many of the following attributes:

• Interests and experiences consistent with the Mission of the College of Human Medicine;

• An academic profile demonstrating the ability, initiative, and determination to achieve an outstanding academic record at MSU. High school academic expectation minimums are:

  • High school GPA of 3.6 or higher;

  • Class ranking (if applicable) in the top 10%;

  • Minimum required ACT score of 29. The minimum required SAT score for the combined math and critical reading sections is 1280. Students must submit scores from either the new SAT Reasoning Test, which includes a critical reading, math, and writing section, or the ACT with the optional writing assessment. Students who have previously taken an SAT or ACT exam without a writing component are required to either take the SAT again or submit an ACT writing test score.

  • College preparatory course work that includes at least three years of basic science, three years of mathematics, two years of foreign language, and one psychology/sociology/history or communications-related course.

• A record of service and leadership;

• Experience in a clinical setting;

• Potential to become an effective researcher and educator, as well as an excellent clinician.

MD Medical Scholars Program FAQs

Click here to view the MD Medical Scholars Program FAQs. Please take the time to read both this page and the FAQs before contacting our office. You will find answers to virtually every question on one of these two pages.

 

The MD Medical Scholars Program Components

MD Medical Scholars are expected to participate in all program components, social events, and ongoing program evaluations. The Medical Scholars Program is not an accelerated academic program. The Medical Scholars Programmatic Components are the Academic Component, the Experiential Component, and the Thematic Component.

Academic Component

All Medical Scholars complete a baccalaureate degree (Bachelor of Arts and/or Bachelor of Science) at Michigan State University. The Academic Component is fulfilled within the 120 semester credits required for graduation. It includes:

1. any academic major(s) that links the Scholar's interests and talents;
   
   

2. traditional premedical course requirements; and

3. the Academic Concentration:

The Academic Concentration is a complementary area of study that adds depth and breadth to the academic experience. Through the encouragement of the Medical Scholars Program faculty, and in meeting the requirements of the Medical Scholars Program Academic Component, each Scholar creates a rich, individualized environment for their intellectual and aesthetic development.

Medical Scholars complete the same College of Human Medicine premedical requirements that are mandatory for all applicants to CHM. The premedical requirements are science and nonscience courses deemed essential when preparing for success in the College of Human Medicine curriculum. The science course requirements listed below are minimums. While not required, taking more than one upper-level biological science course is strongly recommended. A grade of 3.0 or higher in each required premedical course is mandatory at the time of matriculation.

Premedical Course Requirements

1. Completion of one year of course work in each of the following areas, with no final grade below a 3.0:

   • General/Inorganic Chemistry sequence, including at least one laboratory;

   • General Biology sequence, including at least one laboratory;

   • Organic Chemistry sequence, including at least one laboratory;

   • General Physics sequence, including at least one laboratory; Writing or Composition, may include "Writing in the Major" classes;

   • Humanities/Social Science courses that focus on psychological and social theory, individual and/or group behaviors, or comparative cultures. Recommended courses include anthropology, cultural studies, economics, ethics, psychology, sociology, women's studies, and philosophy.

2. Mathematics through college algebra or statistics and probability. The mathematics requirement may be waived with Advanced Placement [AP] credit for Statistics and Probability, Calculus 1, or freshman mathematics placement above college algebra.

3. Completion of one upper-level (junior- or senior-level) biological science course from within the following areas: biochemistry, cell biology, embryology, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, neuroscience, or physiology. Additional courses in these areas are advised.

Experiential Component

Medical Scholars are expected to have continuing experiences that support their personal development.

• As freshman, Medical Scholars begin the Experiential Component by assessing both their talents and the community’s needs. They then use their talents to make a real contribution to the community and the “greater good.”

• Medical/clinical experiences are an important part of the sophomore Medical Scholars experience. These experiences assist the Scholar in evaluating their goal to become physicians. This occurs throughassociation with medical mentors, as well as opportunities to witness health care delivery and the doctor-patient relationship.

"I not only had the time, but also the encouragement to integrate a liberal-arts specialization with a challenging science degree program."

Michael Keng
BS, Lyman Briggs
Physiology/Human Biology,
Specialization in Health and Humanities

• Research experiences where Medical Scholars are active participants make the scientific method relevant to junior Medical Scholars. Through participation in conceiving and solving real world problems, research provides opportunities for Medical Scholars to experience the excitement of discovery.

• As seniors, Medical Scholars develop their own Capstone Experiences. These are advanced experiences in community service, medical/clinical settings, or research settings. Capstone experiences may also incorporate and transcend all the experiences the students have had through this Experiential Component. Seniors culminate this experience with a project that is shared in competition, presented to an audience, or displayed in a poster presentation.
  

Thematic Component

The Thematic Component follows annual themes, such as:

• The Moral Dimensions of Medicine

• Changing Medical Paradigms Facing Physicians in the 21st Century

• Relationship-Centered Care

• The Inquisitive Physician

Medical Scholars read books and journal articles and view videos to prepare for active participation in the seminar discussions and activities. These seminars and other science and liberal arts symposia provide Medical Scholars with opportunities to learn from renowned MSU faculty and others who are experts in their respective disciplines. Medical Scholars are expected to attend monthly Medical Scholars activities that comprise the Thematic Component of the Medical Scholars Program.

MD Medical Scholars Thematic Component Calendars

The thematic component is comprised of monthly activities that center around a unique theme common to the traditional values of medicine.  Examples of annual themes include:

• The Moral Dimensions of Medicine

• Changing Medical Paradigms Facing Physicians in the 21st Century

• Relationship-Centered Care

• The Inquisitive Physician

Take a look at the MD Medical Scholars Program calendars for the past four academic years to get a better idea of thematic components and associated activities:

• 2006-2007 Calendar
• 2005-2006 Calendar
• 2004-2005 Calendar
• 2003-2004 Calendar

Contact Information

MSU Admissions Office Campus Tours, General Information, Admissions Requirements, Scholarship Information, Financial Aid (517) 355-8332	College of Human Medicine Medical School Information, Medical Education, Graduate Medical Education, Research (517) 353-1730
College of Human Medicine Office of Admissions Premedical Requirements, Application Process (517) 353-9620	College of Natural Science Premedical Student Services, Advisors (517) 355-4470
Honors College Requirements, Fellowships and Rewards, Study Abroad (517) 355-2326	Lyman Briggs School Residential Science Learning Community (517) 353-6482
MD Medical Scholars Program Program Components, Roles and Responsibilities Program Coordinator—517/432-5112 Email: Margo.Smith@chm.msu.edu CHM Admissions — (517) 353-9620 Email: mdmsp@msu.edu	Specialization in Bioethics, Humanities and Society Integrating health, humanities, and science (517) 432-2691

Additional Information

• Preference is given to instate applicants. Typically, eight of the 10 MD Medical Scholars will be residents of Michigan.

• Read the MD Medical Scholars Program FAQs for answers to the most commonly-asked questions about the program.

• The MD Medical Scholars Program evolves in response to ongoing evaluation and as such, the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine reserves the right to alter any aspect of the program.

• The MD Medical Scholars Program does not provide grants, scholarship monies, or other financial support to the accepted Scholars.

• Medical Scholars do not pay additional tuition for the program, nor do Scholars receive academic credit for program activities.

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