Innovative Program Makes Medical School More Realistic Goal for HU Grads

Hampton, VA -An innovative program developed by the dean of the Hampton University School of Science is giving a major assist to HU graduates hoping to pursue medical and dental careers. The two-year, Master of Science degree program aims to increase the number of HU graduates attending professional schools.

Since its inception in 2000, the program has placed 88% of its students into medical and dental schools around the country. This year, students have already been accepted to Meharry Medical College, Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine and medical schools at University of Virginia and University of Arkansas.

“It's a really great program,” said Saweda Bright, a first-year student. “Without this, a lot of people, myself included, wouldn't have a chance at medical school.”

Since HU doesn't have its own medical or dental school, the focus is on tailoring the program to meet the standards of schools already out there.

In 1999 Dr. Harold Marioneaux, dean of the School of Science, began looking for ways to help students, particularly those who were unsuccessful gaining admittance with lower grade point averages, gain admittance to professional schools. He spoke to several institutions, seeking input on what could be done to make students more marketable and competitive. The School of Science then created this two-year program as a way to help college graduates gain admittance to medical and dental schools.

During their first year, students in the program take a full course load of classes, including chemistry, organic chemistry, physics and biology. They also take six mock MCAT exams.

Their time spent studying is charted using a unique study management system, adapted from the business world by Marioneaux. He created a system where students would use his method for monitoring academic performance by utilizing improved study techniques, key performance indicators (KPIs), and performance charting. The new idea has a patent pending status

Students also meet once a week with Marioneaux for “Grand Rounds,” an informal, group study session where he examines their KPI notebooks, academic progress and latest mock MCAT scores while they test each other on the material

Following this first year, the students spend their summers at either the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and Dentistry or Medical College of Virginia where they are thrown into what one student called “medical school boot camp,” taking as many as seven courses over nine weeks.

“That gave me an insight into medical school,” said Dennis Harris, Jr., a second-year student who will be attending medical school at the University of Arkansas in the fall. “I think it fully prepared me for the rigors of medical school and gave me a leg up on other students.”

During their second year in the program, students study biochemistry, physiology, immunology, histology, and molecular and cell biology. More importantly, they learn the curriculum for their first year of medical school, giving them an advantage when they arrive on campus in the fall.

By the time the students receive their degree, they should not only be admitted to a professional school, but they should be well prepared for the courses they will face

“Without this I wouldn't be going to medical school,” Bright said. “But because of this, you know what medical schools are looking for in a student.”

“I was working full-time and trying to study,” explained Stephen Reese, a second year student who entered the program 10 years after receiving his master's degree. “This program gave me structure and focus and eventually my MCAT score went up six points.”

“I decided late in life that I wanted to go to medical school,” he added. “And this definitely gave me an opportunity to do that.”