EAST LANSING, Mich. — In a move to help disadvantaged students and expand underserved areas of medicine, Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine is partnering with two Upper Peninsula universities to provide links between premedical students and MSU's medical school.
Officials from Michigan Technological University and Northern Michigan University joined MSU in announcing the Early Assurance Program for admission in separate ceremonies Oct. 2 on the school's campuses in Houghton and Marquette.
"MSU is committed to ensuring a continuous pipeline of well-qualified students from Michigan Technological University and Northern Michigan University to the College of Human Medicine," said James Randolph Hillard, MSU associate provost for Human Health Services. "This is a long-term vision for enhancing health care in these communities beyond, as many of these students will likely return to the Upper Peninsula to practice."
Hillard was joined at the ceremonies by Cindy Prosen, Northern Michigan's associate provost for Academic Affairs, and Bruce Seely, Michigan Tech's dean of the College of Sciences and Arts.
The Early Assurance Program provides an enhanced opportunity for admission to medical school to qualified premedical students who wish to practice in the underserved areas. Preference for admission will be given to students who are the first generation to attend college, students who graduated from a low-income high school, those eligible for federal Pell grants or those who express interest in a high-need medical specialty area.
Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech students interested in caring for underserved populations will complete a program of clinical and service experiences, as well as academic advising directed toward admission to MSU's College of Human Medicine. The emphasis on care for the underserved is at the core of the college's mission.
During their junior year, students who excel in the undergraduate programs may apply to the College of Human Medicine, and selected students will be assured of admission and begin a relationship with the college during their senior year. There will be six seats reserved for this program; three seats at each Upper Peninsula university.
The schools join Grand Valley State University as universities participating in the MSU College of Human Medicine Early Assurance Program.
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