Joint BS/MD Program for High School Students between SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) and SUNY Upstate Medical University (SUNY-UMU)

This program addresses the shortage of physicians in rural communities of New York State. There is evidence that people who grow up in rural communities or who trained there will later return to set up medical practice in a rural setting. This program will also attempt to provide a more diverse student population for entry into physician training programs. Acceptance into this program indicates willingness to participate in the Rural Medical Scholars Program (RMSP). Students who enroll in this program will be assigned to the RMSP track as a medical student at SUNY Upstate Medical University.

Interested students who have been admitted to SUNY-ESF for freshman entry and meet the minimum criteria outlined below may apply for the Joint BS/MD program. Those nominated by the SUNY-ESF Selection Committee will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee at SUNY-UMU and, if selected for consideration, will be required to participate in an on-campus interview at SUNY-UMU. The SUNY-UMU Admissions Committee selects candidates for the Joint BS/MD program.

Minimum criteria for consideration:

• Open to New York State residents only
• Must be admitted as freshman to SUNY-ESF with a minimum of 90 cumulative grade point average (as calculated by the SUNY-ESF Admissions Office) for overall high school performance as well as science and mathematics performance, and 1250 SAT (Critical Reading + Math) or 28 ACT Composite scores. The high school program of study must be college preparatory in focus and include a minimum of 4 units each of college preparatory science and mathematics.
• The recommended filing date for the SUNY-ESF admissions application and all credentials is January 1 to allow for an admissions decision to be made by the February 1 deadline for application or nomination to the Joint BS/MD program. Applicants should include a note in their admission application materials expressing interest in the Joint BS/MD program.
• May be admitted in any program of study at SUNY-ESF
• Preference will be given to applicants who meet the following criteria:
  • From a rural county*
  • Completed additional units of science and mathematics and/or higher level courses in high school (e.g. honors, AP, IB or college level coursework)
  • Considered educationally and/or economically disadvantaged or from backgrounds which makes it unlikely they would compete for admission to medical school through traditional routes
  • Completed extra-curricular activities which demonstrate some experience in a health care setting and a commitment to service work

Application procedures:

• Application and Recommendation forms must completed and returned to the SUNY-ESF Director of Undergraduate Admissions postmarked no later than February 1 for the upcoming fall semester entry.
• If recommended to SUNY-UMU for consideration, nominees must participate in an on-campus interview at SUNY-UMU.
• Students will be notified of their nomination and the date and time for the on-campus interview by email and/or letter.

Notification of decision:

• Letter of acceptance to the Joint BS/MD program will be issued by SUNY Upstate Medical University.
• Conditions of Admission:
  • Maintain appropriate standards of honesty and integrity throughout the program.
  • Complete graduation requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree, including the Medical School prerequisite courses: general biology I & II, general chemistry I & II, organic chemistry I & II and general physics I & II (all science courses must include a lab) while maintaining and graduating with a minimum 3.50 general and science-specific cumulative grade point average.
  • Successfully complete the MCAT with a score of 30, in one sitting, by January of the year of entry at Upstate Medical University. The student is allowed to sit for the exam twice in order to obtain this score.
  • Complete and document 40 hours of volunteer service, strongly recommended in direct contact with patients and physicians.
  • Candidates must participate in the Rural Medicine (RMED) program at UMU.

For more information and to apply to the Joint BS/MD for High School Students, contact:

Susan Sanford
Director of Undergraduate Admissions
SUNY-ESF
1 Forestry Drive
Syracuse, NY 13210
esfinfo@esf.edu
(315) 470-6600

*Rural Counties:

Allegany	Delaware	Lewis	Rensselaer	Tioga
Cattaraugus	Essex	Livingston	Schenectady	Tompkins
Cayuga	Franklin	Madison	Schoharie	Ulster
Chautauqua	Fulton	Montgomery	Schuyler	Warren
Chemung	Genessee	Ontario	Seneca	Washington
Chenango	Greene	Orleans	St. Lawrence	Wayne
Clinton	Hamilton	Oswego	Steuben	Wyoming
Columbia	Herkimer	Otsego	Sullivan	Yates
Cortland	Jefferson	Putnam