Summer Medical Education Program Has Changed

The Summer Medical Education Program (SMEP) provided by AAMC is no longer available in the form it once was. It has now changed to SMDEP. The program still has a lot of similarities to the old one, but to some people's dismay or happiness it only accepts freshmen and sophomores now. I feel that they should have had a transitional period for a couple of years to let some of the older kids that did not know about the change, get an opportunity too. According to the website some of offerings are:

• Academic enrichment in the basic sciences (organic chemistry, physics, biology, pre-calculus/calculus) and key elective courses (writing, oral presentations, current topics in health)
• Learning-skills seminars, including study skills and methods of individual and group learning
• Limited clinical exposure through small-group clinical rotations and full-group clinician seminars
• Career development, including the exploration of the medical and dental professions and an individualized education plan to identify other appropriate summer experiences
• A financial-planning workshop

Looks like a solid setup, plus it's free. That includes tuition, meals and even housing. The app will be open in December and is due on March 1, 2006. The program uses rolling admissions, so apply as soon as possible.