PREP Program - School of Medicine Columbia (2024)

PREP Program

The Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) at USC seeks to increase the number of applicants to biomedical graduate programs from under-represented communities by offering the opportunity to work for a year in a biomedical research laboratory while preparing for graduate school in the biomedical sciences.

What is PREP?

Our PREP provides a year of post-baccalaureate training to minority or disadvantaged students who have indicated a desire to enter graduate school with the aim of obtaining a Ph.D. degree in the Biomedical Sciences.

Who Gets Admitted?

The University of South Carolina PREP, which is fully funded by the National Institutes of Health, is accepting applications. Each year, we plan to admit seven USC PREP scholars who will enter the program in the last week of June.

We welcome all qualified PREP applicants without discrimination including racial and ethnic minorities, socio-economically disadvantaged populations and individuals with disabilities.​ In the last five year funding period of USC PREP, 88% of PREP Scholars received offers from prestigious graduate schools. Last year, all of our Scholars went on to excellent graduate schools.

Once accepted into USC PREP, a Scholar will receive a stipend of $32,000 per year.

Why Our Program?

We have designed a program that will include:

  • Research experience in a biomedical research laboratory using the latest scientific equipment and methods
  • Mentoring by an experienced faculty member and other members of his/her research team
  • Seminar presentation by the PREP Scholar to enhance scientific communication skills
  • Presentation of work at national and local scientific meetings
  • Usually one biomedical graduate (or similar) course per semester for credit
  • Foundation courses including ethics, use of animals and radioactivity, paper writing and problem solving
  • Journal clubs to stimulate critical thinking about the published literature
  • Attendance at seminars presented by outside faculty

This program allows PREP Scholars to experience biomedical research and demonstrate their abilities as researchers. In addition, they will have the opportunity to show their ability to do well in graduate level coursework. We anticipate that the Scholars' laboratory research experience and graduate coursework will not only ensure their acceptance into a graduate program, but will also shorten the time needed to complete a Ph.D. by about a year.

Program Details

Because PREPs were created by NIH to increase the number of minority or disadvantaged students entering doctoral programs in biomedical research, you must belong to an underrepresented group to participate:

Underrepresented groups include:

  • Blacks or African Americans

  • Hispanic Americans or Latinos

  • Native Americans (American Indians or Alaska Natives)

  • Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders

  • Individuals with disabilities, defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities

  • Financially-disadvantaged persons who have grown up in a poor, often inner city, environment.

You must also be:

  • A citizen of the United States or a permanent resident of the United States

Biomedical Departments across the USC campus in Columbia, South Carolina participate in USC PREP. These include:

  • All three basic science departments of the School of Medicine:

    • Cell Biology and Anatomy

    • Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology

    • Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience

  • The Department of Biological Sciences

  • The Department of Chemistry (Biochemistry section)

  • The Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Science (in the College of Pharmacy)

If you apply and receive an interview, we would like you to name up to four professors whose research interests you and with whom you may like to work. You can find out more about the research in the various departments, which are linked tothis page. In addition, many research laboratories and professors’ research pages are to be found fromthis list. Please note that newer faculty may not yet be on this list.

If you have any questions or need further information please contact Dr. Richard Hunt atrichard.hunt@uscmed.sc.edu.

If you are interested in joining USC PREP, please fill out the application. If you have any problems with the electronic application, please put the requested information in an e-mail and send it torichard.hunt@uscmed.sc.edu.

In addition you will also need to send us:

  • Three letters of recommendation from people who know you academically (such as your professors)

  • A copy of your transcripts. We do not need originals with the initial application

  • A copy of your GRE score if you have taken this but it is not necessary to have taken the exam to apply to PREP

  • A personal statement stating why you think PREP will be advantageous to you; why you wish to pursue a career in biomedical sciences; and any experience that you have in biomedical research. We are particularly interested in research that you may have done away from your home institution such as in summer programs at NIH, research institutes or universities.

PREP Program - School of Medicine Columbia (2024)

FAQs

What is the average MCAT score for Columbia MSTP? ›

Columbia Medical School Average MCAT

The average MCAT for accepted students is 520 with a range of 512 – 528. In our experience, students should have an MCAT of 516 or higher to be competitive for an interview invitation.

What percentage of Columbia students get into medical school? ›

With an acceptance rate of 2%, this prestigious medical school is highly competitive! This guide will give you a better idea of what the application process looks like, ensuring you stand out amongst thousands of applicants to increase your chances of getting admitted!

What is the acceptance rate for Columbia premed? ›

Keep in mind that with 7,008 applicants in the 2022 admissions cycle and only 140 matriculating, that translates to a challenging 2% matriculation rate.

What are my chances of getting into Columbia medical school? ›

The Importance of Columbia Med School Acceptance Rate

As of 2020, the acceptance rate stands at 3.7%, making it one of the most selective medical schools in the country. This means that out of over 7,000 applicants, only around 250 get accepted.

How competitive is MSTP? ›

Admission to the MSTP is highly competitive, and typically 10 – 12 students matriculate each year. Particular attention is given to the quality of an applicant's scientific preparation and research experience. Applicants must be accepted by the Medical School and the MSTP before receiving an offer of admission.

What is the average GPA for MSTP? ›

The average undergraduate GPA of current MSTP students is 3.86, with a range of 3.37 to 4.0.

Does Columbia Med School send secondaries to everyone? ›

Typically, all students receive Columbia secondaries during an application cycle. Columbia Secondaries Application Tip #1: Discuss your career aspirations, especially for the Columbia Medical School secondary application diversity essay.

Is Columbia hard for premed? ›

Is Columbia Good for Pre Med? Definitely! Columbia University undergrad is known for having a rigorous education, and medical schools know it. Graduating from Columbia University with a decent GPA tells medical school admissions committees that you are strong academically.

Is Columbia Med School prestigious? ›

Fast forward 250 years, and it stands as one of the oldest and most prestigious medical schools in the country. Columbia University's medical school is renowned for its dedication to medical education, patient care, and groundbreaking research.

What does Columbia med school look for? ›

GPA & MCAT

There is no minimum GPA to be considered for admission to Columbia, but because of the highly competitive selection process we recommend aiming for the average or higher. The median MCAT score of matriculants is 522. Your MCAT score is valid only if taken up to four years prior to your application cycle.

What MCAT score do I need for Columbia? ›

Columbia Med School Average MCAT: 521 (130 chemical & physical / 130 critical analysis / 130 biological & biochemical / 131 psychological, social)

What is the hardest medical school to get into? ›

With an astonishingly low acceptance rate of about 1.4%, Stanford is the country's hardest medical school to get into. They admit students who not only boast impressive academic records but also showcase a deep passion for leadership, community involvement, and pushing the boundaries of medical knowledge.

What MCAT score for MD-PhD? ›

1. You need strong MCAT scores and a high GPA
Average MCAT Scores and GPAs for MD-PhDs
MCAT BBLS128.7
MCAT PSBB128.5
Total MCAT513.9
GPA Science3.75
4 more rows

What is the average MCAT score for Yale MSTP? ›

The median MCAT score is 522. 4. How do I apply? You will submit your application through AMCAS, indicating your interest in Yale School of Medicine.

What is the average MCAT score for NYU MSTP? ›

The incoming class had a median MCAT score of 523 (range: 516–527; average 522.39), with median scores of 131 for Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems, 130 for Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, 131 for Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems, and 131 for Psychological, Social, ...

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