The Medical Academic Advancement Program at the University of Virginia School of Medicine

Since 1984 the University of Virginia School of Medicine has conducted the Medical Academic Advancement Program for minority and disadvantaged student s interested in careers in medicine. The program is a six-week residential program for approximately 130 undergr aduate and post-baccalaureate students per year. It emphasizes academic cou rse work-biology, chemistry, physics, and essay writing-to prepare the part icipants for the Medical College Admission Test. Non-graded activities, suc h as a clinical medicine lecture series, clinical experiences, and a specia l lecture series, and special workshops are also offered. The participants take two simulated MCAT exams. Between 1984 and 1998, 1,497 students have participated in the program, wit h complete follow-up information available for 690 (46%). Of the 1,487 part icipants, 80 (5%) have graduated from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and 174 (12%) from other medical schools; 44 (3%) are attending th e medical school now, and 237 (16%) are at other medical schools; 44 (3%) h ave graduated from other health professions schools, and 54 (3%) are attend ing such schools. The retention rate for participants at the University of Virginia School of Medicine is 91% (that is, all but seven of the 80 who ma triculated have been retained past the first year). The Medical Academic Advancement Program has been successful in increasing the number of underrepresented minority students matriculating into and con tinuing in medical education. Such programs warrant continued support and e ncouragement.