University of South Alabama College of Medicine Office of Special Programs

BIOMEDICAL ENRICHMENT AND RECRUITMENT

INTRODUCTION
        The University of South Alabama, as a part of its commitment to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, agreed to initiate the Biomedical Enrichment and Recruitment (BEAR) Program to assist in attaining the goal of an increased minority presence and acceptance through completion of the program.  This program received approval under a Consent Decree entered into between the University of South Alabama and the United States Department of Justice in United States vs. State of Alabama in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama.
        The BEAR Program represents an opportunity for underrepresented  students to enter medical school beyond the traditional admission route.  Similar to other summer programs, BEAR offers an intense and rigorous summer curriculum in the medical sciences.  Unique to other programs, however, a student who completes all of the required undergraduate premedical curriculum for the College of Medicine, successfully completes the two consecutive summer phases of the BEAR Program,  takes the Medical College Admission Test, and makes application through AMCAS, will be offered conditional admission into the entering medical school class at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine (USACOM).

THE PROGRAM
        The objective of the Biomedical Enrichment and Recruitment (BEAR) Program is to provide a specially designed, comprehensive and consecutive, two summer (Phase I and Phase II) sequential learning experience for underrepresented premedical students, in particular African Americans,  during the summers prior to their junior and senior undergraduate college years.  The program is designed to assess and improve the ability of these students to perform successfully in medical school through an early introduction to its rigors.
        The premise behind the BEAR program is that certain quantitative and personality attributes that are correlated with success in medical school can be recognized during students’ sophomore year in college.  As such, students can be identified early and offered preparation to improve their chances for success.  In essence, participants in this program must demonstrate their ability and potential for medical school by passing condensed medical school courses prior to their completion of the requirements necessary for students to enter and negotiate medical school.
        The official curriculum for the BEAR Program is divided into two phases which extend over two consecutive summers.
        The Phase I curriculum includes two major courses: Cell Biology/Microbiology, and Basic Systems of Anatomy.  Students who successfully complete Phase I are invited back for a second summer in Phase II.
        The major courses in Phase II are Biochemistry and Medical Physiology.  In addition to the course work, Phase I students participate in rounds with local physicians on Saturday mornings and tour local health and hospital facilities.  Phase II students shadow local physicians on Monday afternoons.  Each phase receives instructions in study and testing skills for the Medical College Admission Test and attends  behavioral and clinical seminars.  Courses are taught by medical school faculty and advanced level Biomedical  graduate students.  Participants are also assisted by four medical students who have just completed the first year of medical school.

ELIGIBILITY
        To be considered for participation in the BEAR Program, one must be a first time sophomore student having completed only two years of  premedical training at the time of application.  The applicant must have taken at least (8) hours of biology and (8) hours of chemistry with labs; (8) hours of math to include calculus. Physics and organic chemistry are a preferred plus.  All applicants must be United States citizens at the time of application and members of a USA-COM underrepresented  group as defined by the USA-COM Office of Special Programs through enrollment and census statistics.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
        Applicants must submit a completed application form, a copy of their most recent family Income Tax Return, two (2) letters of recommendation from premedical advisors or college professors (preferably science), and a complete official transcript from the undergraduate school(s) they have attended.
        The application deadline is March 1.  All materials must be in our office by this date.  Late applications will not be considered.  The application and letters of recommendation should be mailed together.

SELECTION CRITERIA
        Selection is based on demonstrated student potential, ability, motivation, and commitment to the study of medicine, as evidenced in the completed application and references; and on students who can be served best by our program objectives.  The following guidelines are considered for participant selection:

        1. Level of underrepresentation and level of disadvantage as indicated by Federal tax return
        2. Careful assessment and consideration of application  information
        3. Grade-point average of at least 3.0 and ACT score at or above the national average of peer students
        4. Demonstrated interest and commitment to a medical career
        5. Strength of Letters of Recommendation

First consideration is given to African American students who are Alabama residents or who attend Alabama schools, and to students who have successfully completed courses in Organic Chemistry and Physics.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT & BENEFITS
        Costs for participation in BEAR are covered by the College of Medicine.  The financial commitment to each participant includes: room and board in a campus dormitory, program textbooks, and a small weekly stipend.
 

for application form.
 

URL:  http://southmed.usouthal.edu/com/same/specialprograms/index.htm
03/11/02