Diversity Recruitment and Enrichment for Admission into Medicine (DREAM)

The Diversity Recruitment and Enrichment for Admission into Medicine (DREAM) program’s major goal is to promote the success of marginalized and underrepresented students in their pursuit of careers in medicine and thereby contribute to achieving health equity for all. The program consists of an eight-week summer program that focuses on preparation for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and applying to medical school.  Ideal candidates for this program are individuals who are part of a population that is known to experience health disparities and who are underrepresented in medicine.  

Within the program, students gain knowledge through daily instruction and review of the basic sciences and topics that make up the MCAT. Weekly examinations, reading comprehension, and critical thinking are utilized in homework and class assignments. Students receive support in crafting medical school applications as well as participate in professional development activities such as shadowing, mentorship, and resilience training. 

Program Eligibility

Applicants must meet the program eligibility criteria below:

• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Be a resident of Alabama or the surrounding service area counties of Mississippi (George, Greene, Harrison, Jackson, Perry and Stone counties) or Florida (Escambia and Santa Rosa counties)
• Be one of the following:
  • Current undergraduate student
  • Recent collegiate graduate
  • Current student in or recently completed science focused post-baccalaureate program
  • Current student in or recently graduated from science focused graduate degree program
• Identify as one or more of the following:
  
  • American Indian
  • Black or African American
  • Hispanic/Latinx
  • Vietnamese
  • Sexual or gender minority
  • Socioeconomically disadvantaged
• Have completed at least 2 years in a pre-med curriculum with a minimum of 24 hours in biology, chemistry, physics and math (BCPM)
• Overall collegiate cumulative grade point average of 3.4 or higher (undergraduate and, if applicable, post-baccalaureate and graduate courses)
• BCPM GPA of ≥3.2 (undergraduate and, if applicable, post-baccalaureate and graduate courses)

Matriculation Requirements

Students who successfully complete the program will be offered a position in the Whiddon College of Medicine first-year class following completion of their undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or graduate degree and prerequisites as described in the matriculation requirements below.

Prospective medical students must meet with their pre-health advisor at their named institution every semester (or as frequently as possible) as well as complete all prerequisite courses required for acceptance into medical school. Students must complete the one eight-week summer session (DREAM Program) that focuses on pre-medical professional development and MCAT preparation as well as maintain an overall GPA of 3.4 or higher and a BCPM (biology, chemistry, physics, and math) GPA or 3.2 or higher. Students must also remain free from disciplinary issues and remain in good academic standing. 

Students who complete or adhere to the matriculation requirements above and receive a Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) of 494 or higher will be granted conditional acceptance into the USA Frederick Whiddon College of Medicine. Students who enter the DREAM program with a MCAT score that already exceeds 494 will have different matriculation requirements that will be discussed on a case-by-case basis. 

Applications

Applications for the next cycle of the DREAM program will be available in December 2023.