Post-Baccaulareate Pre-Med Program

WHY OUR PROGRAM EXISTS

Kentucky has 120 counties and approximately 80 of them are health professional shortage areas (HPSA) hpsafind.hrsa.gov .  Entire counties or portions of these counties do not have enough health care professionals to meet the health care needs of their population.  More physicians are greatly needed to practice in medically under served areas to help improve the quality of life and access to health care for its residents.  In Kentucky there are numerous counties without hospitals or specialists, requiring its residents to drive to the cities of Louisville or Lexington, which in many cases are miles and hours away. 

There is also local and national need for more primary care physicians; family and general practitioners; internal medicine practitioners and pediatricians.  These physicians serve as the first point of contact for most patients and through them referrals are made to specialists if necessary.  Our program exist to serve as a potential remedy to this problem by helping to increase the health care work force one student at a time.   

CHOOSING TO BECOME A PHYSICIAN

The first step to become a physician is going to medical school. Medical schools have limited class sizes available each year which makes admission very competitve. Admission committees are seeking competitive applicants who have completed their pre-med requirements; are academically strong; have scored well on the MCAT; have had clinical exposure (shadowing); are well rounded; have a sincere compassion for others through community service involvement; make a great impression during their interview; have solid letters of recommendation and have a genuine interest in medicine.

There is a lot involved in preparing for and applying to medical school. Many students get discouraged or lost in the shuffle without the professional guidance to help them navigate through the preparation process. The University of Louisville School of Medicine and the College of Arts and Sciences has established a Post-Bac Pre-med Certificate Program for career changers interested in going to medical school. This program is designed specifically for post-bac and non-traditional students who want to go to medical school but haven't fulfilled the pre-med requirements for medical school admission. Our program serves as a navigation system for its students.

WHAT OUR PROGRAM CAN DO FOR YOU

This program is designed for career changers and college graduates with minimal pre-med science (biology, chemistry and physics) who are preparing for medical school to become a physician.  Our program provides advising exclusively for post-bac students; monthly enrichment sessions; study groups and academic assistance (tutoring); community service involvement; shadowing opportunities; medical school visits; a first year medical student mentor; a peer mentor; a mock medical school interview; a committee letter of recommendation from the Program Advisory Committee and assured admission to the University of Louisville School of Medicine.

Starting for the fall 2012 application cycle, we will now have fall admissions only and accept 24 students each academic year.  Although our program generally takes two years to complete, some students may require the entire two years while others may complete the program at an accelerated pace.  Our program has a preferred sequence; however, it can be modified to meet the individual need of the student. Each student has a program plan tailor made just for them based on course offerings each semester and their availability. Students attend school either on a part-time or full-time basis.  We prefer our students take a minimum of six credit hours per semester. Classes are available morning, afternoon and evening with some weekend classes available.  Classes are taken with the general student population, including current undergraduate students.Our students have a guaranteed support system that will guide them through the entire pre-medical process; from pre-med coursework to their medical school interview. Our students don't have to compete with undergraduate pre-med students for advising or for the services necessary for medical school preparation.  They receive personalized attention while earning their Pre-medical Certificate and a committee letter of recommendation for medical school from the Program Advisory Committee.

Our program has a linkage with the University of Louisville School of Medicine via assured admissions for certificate students who meet the protocol.  Assured Admissions reserves a seat in the next entering medical school class for qualified certificate students.  Our ultimate goal is for our students to successfully matriculate into medical school and become the physician they always wanted to be.

Some of the Post-bac Pre-meds currently in our program: Front row (l to r): Sam,Jamie, Elayna, Marife, Azra, Kelli, Tonia (Director) and Brian
Back row (l to r): Kasim, Kirk, Brian, Lucy, Jessica, Trisha, Steve and Sam.