Through grant funding from the Indian Health Service’s Indians Into Medicine Program (INMED) and the Empire Health Foundation, the WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine has opportunities for American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN), namely those who are enrolled members of federally recognized tribes or descendants, to participate in pathway programs.
The RISE Summer Academy, a 6-week program, will be open to 15 American Indian Alaskan Native (AIAN) enrolled members of federally recognized tribes or descendants.
Focus of the RISE Summer Academy:
- MCAT Prep: The program will provide a full MCAT course through Kaplan to be taken in the summer program and continuing following the program.
- Supplemental Basic Science Refresher: This coursework will focus on helping RISE Summer Academy students be better prepared to enter medical school. The coursework will be taught by College of Medicine faculty.
- Cultural Engagement and Community Building: This will include meetings with the WSU Health Sciences Spokane Native American Health Office, AIAN clinical faculty, and visit(s) to an area tribal clinic.
- Medical Student Mentors: RISE Summer Academy students will have medical student mentors to help guide them through the program, answer their questions, and provide support and encouragement.
Timeline:
- The application to apply will open around the end of January 2020 (NOW OPEN)
- Priority Deadline: March 15, 2020
- Summer Academy Dates: Monday, June 22 – Friday, July 31, 2020
Eligibility Requirements:
- MCAT
- Have taken the MCAT but not scored well
- Plan to take for the first time in 1-6 months of the Summer Academy end date
- Plan to apply to medical school for either the Entering Year of 2021 or 2022 (application years of 2020 or 2021)
- Documentation of enrolled tribal membership or descendancy. If applying, please send documentation to the Office of Admissions, Student Affairs, and Inclusion at diversity.admissions@wsu.edu
- Official transcripts for all college coursework taken. If applying, please send documentation to the Office of Admissions, Student Affairs, and Inclusion at diversity.admissions@wsu.edu
Benefits:
- Cost to attend: FREE
- Dorms, food, and coursework, including the Kaplan MCAT Prep course are covered by the program
- Some travel expenses may be covered
- Access to and exposure with medical school faculty, leadership, and students
- Coursework and exposure to become a more competitive applicant to medical school
The INMED – RISE program is held in collaboration with:
- Oregon Health and Sciences University School of Medicine Northwest Native American Center of Excellence
- Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board
- University of California Davis School of Medicine
- Washington State University Health Science Spokane
