College of Medicine - Office of Student Diversity and Enrichment

Pre-Health Summer Enrichment Program (PSEP)

The University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Office of Academic Enrichment and the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program invite you to apply to the Pre-Health Summer Enrichment Program (PSEP). PSEP is an intensive six-week full time summer program for highly motivated students interested in pursuing a career in the health professions. A total of sixteen students will be accepted into the program. The program will help participants enhance science inquiry and communication skills utilizing Small Group Problem-based Learning; explore time management and test taking strategies to enhance learning skills; provide exposure to various health professions (Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health and Physical Therapy) through clinical experiences; and offer professional school admissions information through interaction with faculty, staff and students.

Results:

· Enhances the competitiveness of talented students from underrepresented in medicine populations or disadvantaged backgrounds for admissions into medical and physical therapy schools;

· Provides needed mentors for minority students;

· Serves as a recruitment tool to USF Health.

In 2007, a survey was distributed to 90 PSEP Alumni, 63 responded. The intent of the survey was to determine the status of PSEP alumni. The pie chart is a summary of where they are in the pipeline. The process of administering a follow-up survey for 2010 is ongoing.

Eligibility:

The Program is designed for rising sophomore (completed freshman year spring 2012) undergraduates interested in health professions career in medicine, nursing, pharmacy or physical therapy. To be eligible, students must have completed Biology I and II or Chemistry I and II; and have an overall GPA no less than 3.0 prior to May 2012. Applicants whose overall GPA is less than 3.0 will not be considered.

In addition, applicants must meet ONLY one of the following criteria:

· Underrepresented in Medicine (URM) student: students who identifies himself/herself as Black, Mexican-American, Native American (that is, American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian), or Puerto Rican.

First-generation college student: students whose parents have had no college or university experience.
Rural background: students whose present permanent address is in a rural county within the state of Florida.
Low socioeconomic status, as defined by the Federal Poverty Level (http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/11poverty.shtml).

Housing is not provided; students must make their own housing arrangements.

Should you have questions about your eligibility, please contact the office at osde@health.usf.edu

Educational Grant:

Accepted and matriculated PSEP students who fulfill their on-going obligations while in the program receive a $1500 educational grant for participation in the PSEP program. The grant is paid out in two installments.

Program Components:

1. Academic Enhancement:

Science Skills: Participants will be provided the opportunity to review and enhance their comprehension of concepts in biology and general chemistry.
Verbal Reasoning and Writing Skills: Participants will be provided the opportunity to enhance their reading and reading inference skills as well as gain writing experience through personal essays and other assignments.
Health Disparities: Participants will explore the differences in health equity of various populations and the factors that may contribute to the disparity in health outcomes.

2. Test Taking Strategies:

Participants will work closely with USF Student Learning Services Program faculty in the areas of reading skills, test taking skills, etc. Utilizing a proven model of metacognition and intentional learning, students utilize the results of such assessments to develop individualized plans to improve or enhance essential learning skills.

3. Clinical Experience:

Participants will be paired with health care providers in the local community and have the opportunity to develop an appreciation of the "real world” of health care through weekly clinical and field experiences.

4. Clinical Seminars:

Participants will take part in one hour per week of exposure to the "real world of medicine" through clinical topics such as health disparities, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and more.

5. Workshop Series:

Participants will participate in weekly workshops on HIPAA, developing goals (vision), managing conflicting commitments, managing obstacles, study skills, time management, stress management, networking, admissions procedure, financial planning, and interviewing techniques.

2012 PSEP Application click here

Quotes from past PSEP students:

“PSEP has given me a lot of confidence and clearly clarifies what it means to be a PREMED.”

“This program has really helped me learn more about what the medical profession is really about and how there is so much more to it then just knowing how to treat patients.”

"I participated in PSEP mostly to improve my verbal reasoning skills for the MCAT and after taking the verbal reasoning and test taking sections fo the program, I have seen an improvement. I am very grateful for this opportunity, especially the test taking skills section which helped me to re-analyze my outlook on the VR section and improve my score."

“As a student from another university, the student, faculty, physicians have all made me feel at home during the PSEP program. This program has allowed me to gain a lot of insight into the type of physician that I would like to be, and has helped clarify my path into that goal.”

If you are interested in other National Summer Enrichment Opportunities please visit

http://www.auburn.edu/academic/science_math/cosamold/docs/pre_health.html

http://cns.utexas.edu/careers/health-professions/summer-programs

http://services.aamc.org/summerprograms

http://www.healthcorps.net/coordinators/apply-now