USA College of Medicine - B.E.A.R Program

Biomedical Enrichment and Recruitment (B.E.A.R) Program

USA College of Medicine
Office of Educational Enrichment
1005 Medical Sciences Building
Mobile, AL 36688

Emily Alford
Phone: (251) 460-7313
Fax: (251) 460-6761
Email: hmyles@usouthal.edu

B.E.A.R Application Form

The University of South Alabama (USA) initiated the Biomedical Enrichment and Recruitment (BEAR) Program in 1986 to improve preparation and increase acceptance and graduation of African-American students. The BEAR Program represents an additional opportunity for the underrepresented students to enter medical school at USA. Similar to other summer programs, BEAR offers an intense and rigorous summer preparatory curriculum in the basic medical sciences and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). 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, achieves a score of at least a 20 on the MCAT, graduates from their undergraduate college, and makes application through AMCAS, will be offered admission into the entering medical school class at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine (USACOM).

The Program

The objective of the eight-week 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 begin medical school on a level playing field and perform successfully in medical school through an early introduction to its rigors and necessary discipline.

The premise behind the BEAR program is that certain quantitative performance 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 a condensed medical school curriculum even before 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 four major courses: Basic Systems of Anatomy, Medical Cellular Biology and Histology, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and Study Skills/College Reading. In addition to the course work, Phase I students participate in rounds with local physicians on Saturday mornings. Students who successfully complete Phase I are invited back for a second summer in Phase II. The major courses in Phase II are Biochemistry, Medical Physiology and Speed Reading. Phase II students shadow local physicians one day per week in the afternoons. Each phase receives instruction in study and testing skills for the Medical College Admission Test and attends clinical/medical careers seminars. Courses are taught by medical school faculty and advanced level biomedical science graduate students. Medical students who have just completed the first year of medical school become Program Assistants to provide tutoring, support, and classroom facilitation during the eight weeks of BEAR; and become mentors after the program ends.

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 eight (8) hours of Biology with labs, eight (8) hours of Chemistry with labs, and eight ( 8) hours of Math to include Calculus. Physics and Organic Chemistry are preferred. All applicants must be United States citizens at the time of application and members of a University of South Alabama College of Medicine underrepresented group as defined by the University of South Alabama College of Medicine Office of Educational Enrichment using enrollment and census data.

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 math and science), and an official transcript from the undergraduate school(s) they have attended.

Qualifications and Selection Criteria

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

• Underrepresentation and level of disadvantage as indicated by Federal Income Tax Return
• Careful assessment and consideration of application information
• Grade point average of at least 3.0 and ACT score at or above the national average of peer students
• Demonstrated interest and commitment to a medical career
• 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 stipend based on academic performance.

B.E.A.R Application Form

University of South Alabama - Mobile Alabama 36688-0002 (251) 460-6101
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Date last changed: August 3, 2009 4:23 PM
http://www.southalabama.edu/com/bear.shtml