Special Programs and Community:
Undergraduate Programs
Hispanic Center of Excellence MCAT
The seven-week summer MCAT Review Course targets Latino and other students
from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine pursuing a medical career. This
review assists students in preparing for all sections of the MCAT examination
utilizing:
- Traditional instruction methods
- Homework exercises
- Small group discussions
- Practice examinations
- Mock medical school admissions interviews
Student for Medicine and Dentistry Program (SMDP)
The SMDP program has existed since 1978. SMDP
is a six-week academic enrichment program that begins in early June and ends
in late July. Students are assigned to various courses that provide them with
the basic foundation in the sciences. The courses offered include MCAT review
course, organic chemistry, physics and anatomy and physiology. Since not all
participants are assigned to every course, students can participate in SMDP
more than one summer. In addition, the science curriculum is coupled with seminars
on the "Key Ingredients Essential to Success in the Health Professions”
in the form of academic skills, exposure to role models, interview process and
exposure to the clinical and research environment.
Program Summary
- Study Strategies for the MCAT - This course
offers a comprehensive review of the verbal reasoning, biological and physical
sciences sections of the MCAT through a problem-solving approach.
- Physics - This course offers an introduction
to the study of physics. It includes topics in classical and modern physics.
- Physiology - This course is intended to
simulate physiology taught at the medical school level. It includes the normal
function of the human body and mechanisms of disease.
- Organic Chemistry - In view of the need
to develop an understanding of fundamental concepts of stereochemistry, this
course is designed to establish a direct connection between organic chemistry
and biochemistry.
- Anatomy - This course includes laboratory
sessions and lecture/didactic sessions. The course also cover the thorax.
- Library Skills - This course is A review
of literature searches and general library use.
- Clinical Exposure - This component of the
program exposes participants to both the medical and dental professions. Under
the supervision of the appropriate staff member of University Hospital and
the NJDS clinics, students rotate in small groups through Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Medicine, Pediatrics, Emergency Room, Psychiatry and Surgery. In the dental
area, student rotations include Endodontics, Periodontics, Orthodontics and
Oral Surgery.
Summer Medical Education Program (SMEP)
The SMEP program at the NJMS has six primary
objectives:
- Improve students' writing, reading comprehension and communication skills
as they relate to success in the practice of medicine.
- Assist each student with the development and implementation of a personal
academic and career plan.
- Involve students in a problem-based learning model of science education
used in medical school promoting their critical thinking skills.
- Provide MCAT preparation for those students preparing for the August administration
of the MCAT.
- Increase students' awareness of diverse and/or underserved populations
and their impact on the practice of medicine.
- Provide students with a limited but informative set of clinical experiences
under the direction of outstanding faculty preceptors and role models.
SMEP builds on NJMS’s 30 year tradition of conducting enrichment programs
geared toward attracting students into the health sciences beginning with the
third grade. The curriculum has been carefully designed to enhance the academic
and personal skills required to succeed in medical school.This is accomplished
by providing opportunities for the development and practice of critical thinking
skills, problem-based learning skills, self-assessment and MCAT preparation.
This is complemented by an opportunity to engage in sessions devoted to the
delivery of healthcare to diverse populations.
New Jersey Medical School offers other enrichment programs for students who
aspire to a career in medicine. SMEP students have the opportunity to return
to our campus during subsequent summers and participate in other structured
programs.
Academic Programs:
Consists of two separate academic tracks plus a required core curriculum for
all students.
TRACK I is primarily for freshman and sophomores with courses in gross anatomy,
physiology, organic chemistry and physics.
TRACK II is designed for eligible junior, senior and post baccalaureate students
focused on intense MCAT preparation.
Core Curriculum:
Reading, writing and communication classes that advance verbal skills by discussing
relevant medical literature and new events. This allows students to learn more
about topics such as ethics and cross-cultural communication in medicine. Students
also develop writing skills through assignments, which include preparing a personal
statement and oral presentations.
For more information on the Summer Medical Education Program, visit the AAMC
Web site.
Contact Information
Denise Epps
Phone: (973) 972-3762/3763
E-mail: eppsdl@umdnj.edu
Lonnie Wright
Phone: (973) 972-5433
E-mail: wrightlo@umdnj.edu