Phase I:  June 21 - August 15, 2009

Summer MCAT Preparation Program 

The Summer MCAT Preparation Program, a mandatory component of the Postbaccalaureate Program, is an eight-week, residential program customized by the Princeton Review to refresh students' foundational knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics, and verbal reasoning.   The program offers 360 hours of intensive MCAT instruction, personalized counseling,  writing skills instruction, and learning skills workshops.  Additional science tutorials are arranged for after-hours and weekend study.  Summer housing and academic instruction take place in safe environments on the UCSD campus.   

Cognitive Strategies Instruction

Postbaccalaureate students actively participate in collaborative, intergroup learning experiences designed to strengthen students' standardized test-taking abilities and the development of cross disciplinary skills of  critical analysis and reasoning.  Also included are  professionally administered pre-and post program reading  and study skills  testing, and student performance evaluations.  Students engage in reflective dialogue with peers and teachers  to build effective learning strategies, problem solving skills, and study practices.  (During the academic year, postbaccalaureate students  are encouraged to enroll in our Cognitive Strategies Instruction Course  (Peds 229)  to further enhance their cognitve development and test desensitization abilities.

Student/Application Advocacy

Although the majority of our students  apply to medical school after completing one year in the Postbaccalaureate Program, we begin the process in the summer. We provide students with professional assistance in preparing effective AMCAS and AACOMAS applications, and in selecting medical schools that are uniquely suited to their goals in medicine.  Postbaccalaureate students  also receive individual and group counseling support and pre-enrollment advising on course selections and academic planning.    

The Program Director writes detailed letters of recommendation for program participants delineating relevant history, personal/scholastic accomplishments and overall performance in the Postbaccalaureate Program. Letters are submitted to all medical schools to which students return a secondary application.

UCSD Admissions and Financial Aid Support

Students  receive assistance in completing the application for admission to UCSD Revelle College, our undergraduate feeder school.  During the summer, students attend seminars on credit worthiness and negotiating the maze of financial aid, and receive assistance in completing FAFSA and scholarship applications.   (Accepted students may complete the online FAFSA application before enrollling in the summer MCAT program.   The UCSD federal  school code is 001317.)

Introduction to Clinical Skills

Students  participate in  a  human physiology, clinical  skills technology laboratory,  complete a CPR certification course, and are taught basic clinical skills by UCSD medical students and community physicians practicing in medically underserved regions throughout San Diego County.   

Stipend Support

Qualified disadvantaged students will be awarded financial support for their participation in the eight-week, MCAT Summer Program.

Housing

Summer Program participants reside in the Sixth College campus apartments located within walking distance of the medical school. On-campus summer housing is paid for by the Postbaccalaureate Program.

Note: On-campus housing is not provided during the academic-year component of the program. We will provide you with general information about housing options in the La Jolla/San Diego area, however, arranging and paying for housing is the responsibility of the student.

Health Insurance

Student Health Services are available throughout the summer at a rate of $75.00 per session. This is a one-time access fee assessed on the initial visit. However, some exams, tests, and treatments do require additional service fees. You are encouraged to carry your own insurance for major medical coverage.  Please call Student Health directly at (858) 534-3300 with any questions you have regarding health services.

Contractual Agreement

Participants must sign a contract agreeing to participate in all aspects of the summer and academic year programs. During the summer, postbaccalaureate students must attend class from 9:00 A.M. -  4:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, sit for five full-length, computerized  MCAT diagnostic exams on select Saturdays or Sundays as designated by Princeton Review. (Requirements for the academic year are described in Phase II.)

Right Attitude Plus Aptitude Equals Success

 

UCSD School of Medicine Diversity Conference 2001

From left to right:  Dr. Natalie Rodriguez, Resident, Familly Medicine, Scripps-Mercy, Chula Vista; Rosemary Garcia, MS-III, University of Illinois College of Medicine; Andrea Casillas, MS-I, Michigan State Univ.; Dr. Rodney Hood, UCSD SOM Alumni; Dr. David Satcher, Former Surgeon General of the United States; Dr. Carissa Kirk, Resident, NY Com Penninsula Hosptial Center; Dr. Marilyn Deguzman, Familly Medicine, Family Health Center, Pomona; Dr. Sharon Okonkwo-Holmes, Resident,  Familly Medicine, Northridge Hospital Medical Center.

Partial funding provided by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services Division of Health Professions Diversity