SouthMed Prep Scholars Program (SMPS)

The SouthMed Prep Scholars Program (SMPS) is a pre-medical pathway program for scholarly, high-achieving underrepresented in medicine students that is designed to enhance medical school access and success through two eight-week summer sessions that focus on research, MCAT preparation, professional development and the medical school application process. 

Within the two-summer program, students participate in basic science research as well as 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

To be eligible for the SouthMed Prep Scholars Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a U.S. Citizen and 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)
• Identify as one or more of the following:
  • American Indian
  • Black or African American
  • Hispanic/Latinx
• Must have a cumulative high school grade point average of at least a 3.5
• Must have an ACT score of 25 or SAT score of 1200*.
• Be a freshman or sophomore undergraduate student 

*Students whose undergraduate institution did not require an ACT or SAT score for admission due to COVID-19 will have the ACT/SAT criterion waived for their respective application cycle.

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 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 two eight-week summer session (SouthMed Prep Scholars Program) that focuses on pre-medical professional development and MCAT preparation as well as maintain an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher and a BCPM (biology, chemistry, physics, and math) GPA or 3.4 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 499 or higher will be granted conditional acceptance into the USA Frederick Whiddon College of Medicine. 

Application

Applications will open in Fall 2023.