Wayne State Program Offers Chance At Free Medical Education
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Wayne State University plans to pay for the medical education of 10 students each year as part of an effort to help more students from low-income backgrounds become doctors.
The new "Wayne Med-Direct" program announced Thursday also seeks to eventually help address issues around health disparities.
WSU President M. Roy Wilson said attracting top-tier students with an interest in health disparities is important to the future of the school's medical program.
"As we advance toward becoming a national hub for health disparities research, it is crucial for us to get future medical practitioners and clinical scientists committed to Wayne State University as soon as possible," Wilson said in a statement.
Ambika Mathur, dean of Wayne State's Graduate School, will help oversee incoming students to ensure they are equipped for success once they reach WSU's School of Medicine.
"Incoming freshman who are admitted to the program will arrive on campus in the summer to participate in summer enrichment courses focused on chemistry, biology, physics and writing," said Mathur. "In addition to their early arrival on campus, [they] will participate in seminars, workshops and hands-on research and clinical training in the School of Medicine throughout their undergraduate careers."
Wayne Med-Direct will include four years of paid undergraduate tuition, four years of paid undergraduate room and board costs in university housing and four years of paid medical school tuition -- a total savings of $251,000.
Other benefits include free MCAT and GRE preparation, travel to relevant conferences and symposia, and access to cutting-edge research facilities such as the new $93-million Integrative Biosciences Center.
To be eligible for the program, candidates must have a minimum 3.5 GPA and 1340 SAT or 30 ACT score, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and be an incoming freshman. Preference will be given to students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds who are also interested in studying health disparities.
The university will admit 10 new students each year beginning summer 2016. Applications are now being accepting until Jan. 15.
For more information about the program and the application process, visit honors.wayne.edu.
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