| Are there special programs for underrepresented | | | | environment, laboratory and financial resources to |
| students? | | | | continue preparing for and pursuing a medical |
| Yes. One of the most widely studied problems in our | | | | education. |
| health care system is the disproportion of minority | | | | There are also programs that were initially intended |
| practitioners as a relation to the overall demographic | | | | to recruit underrepresented students that you might |
| population. The low number of health care providers | | | | consider. Many medical schools, colleges and hospitals |
| from ethnic minorities and lower incomes do not | | | | have summer enrichment programs. These programs |
| reflect our current population. This contributes to | | | | offer you the opportunity to spend time in a clinical |
| health care disparities as people are often more | | | | setting, work on reviewing for the MCAT, participate |
| comfortable seeking care from someone from their | | | | in research, learn about professionalism, and enjoy |
| own community. | | | | some time with future colleagues. |
| Many schools have someone in their admissions office | | | | If you have never considered gaining exposure to |
| who works directly with underrepresented students, | | | | medicine then you should consider getting started - it |
| whether as undergraduates or graduates. In | | | | is never too early or too late (besides, med school or |
| Connecticut, for example, a full-year minority program | | | | otherwise, you are giving your time and talent to |
| exists as part of the post-baccalaureate program at | | | | people that need your help). The important thing to |
| the UCONN School of Medicine. This program is | | | | remember is that there are resources available. Start |
| designed to not only prepare those students for | | | | with what you have to work with - your current |
| admission to medical school but to ensure they are | | | | college or academic institution, a local hospital, clinical |
| prepared to become successful contributors to the | | | | or nurses association, community centers for seniors |
| medical community. For disadvantaged pre-med | | | | etc. Any organization that provides medical care or |
| students, the great advantage of finding a solid | | | | assisted living services will have information that will |
| program is the opportunity to be guided by a | | | | benefit you as you work toward gaining medical |
| specialist in several critical areas. All students must be | | | | experience. You never know what you may learn or |
| able to sustain the rigor of academic coursework | | | | who you might meet when you begin to put yourself |
| that a medical degree requires; all students must | | | | out there - so feel good about taking the plunge and |
| have access to and exposure to a clinical | | | | keep working toward that medical degree. |