Program Overview

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Introduction to the TUSM/UMass Boston Enrichment Program

The TUSM/UMass Boston Enrichment Program is a three-week program designed for UMass Boston pre-medical and pre-research students. The program aims to introduce future doctors to teamwork in medical problem-solving and provide students interested in scientific research with hands-on experience in biomedical research.

Program Goals

The goals of the program are to:

• Provide research and clinical exposure
• Establish mentoring relationships with Tufts School of Medicine faculty and graduate and professional students
• Offer mentoring and advice on how to strengthen candidacy for applying to graduate and professional degree programs
• Create a forum for students to learn to examine complex health challenges and potential solutions from a multidisciplinary, inter-professional perspective
• Introduce students to team-based learning in a simulated setting
• Learn about career options in medicine, public health, basic sciences, and more

Program Schedules

The program offers two different schedules:

• One for those interested in clinical and health careers
• One for students interested in biomedical research

Pathway to Clinical Careers

Goals of the Program

The goals of the Pathway to Clinical Careers program are to:

• Provide research and clinical exposure
• Establish mentoring relationships with Tufts School of Medicine faculty, graduate and professional students
• Offer mentoring and advice on how to strengthen candidacy for applying to medical school and professional degree programs
• Increase awareness of ways to finance graduate education
• Create a forum for students to learn to examine complex health challenges and potential solutions from a multidisciplinary, inter-professional perspective
• Introduce students to team-based learning in a simulated setting
• Learn about career options in medicine, public health, basic sciences, and more

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum includes:

• Science and Society Seminar
• Introduction to Physical Diagnosis
• Clinical Shadowing
• Case-based learning
• Journal Club
• Careers in Medicine
• Applying to medical school
• How to apply to MD and PhD programs
• Financing your graduate education

Pathway to a PhD in Biomedical Sciences

Goals of the Program

The goals of the Pathway to a PhD in Biomedical Sciences program are to:

• Expose students to biomedical research and develop critical thinking skills when designing and evaluating research
• Establish mentoring relationships with Tufts School of Medicine faculty and graduate students
• Offer mentoring and advice on how to strengthen candidacy for applying to summer internships and graduate programs
• Expose students to different career options available to students interested in biomedical research

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum includes:

• Conducting experiments in areas such as neuroscience, microbiology, immunology, cancer research, and more
• Learning different research techniques, appreciating their limitations, understanding how to analyze and interpret results, and effectively presenting data
• Presenting research findings and discussing their significance and future directions
• Networking with graduate students and professors at Tufts University School of Medicine and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
• Learning how to apply to different summer research programs, post-baccalaureate programs, and graduate school

Eligibility and Application Components

Eligibility

• Sophomores and Juniors
• Completion of the following courses:
  • One year of Biology
  • One year of Chemistry
  • One semester of Calculus
  • One semester of Organic Chemistry
• For students applying to the Pathway to Clinical & Health Careers, a GPA of 3.2 or better is required. For those applying to the Pathway to a PhD in the Biomedical Sciences, a 3.2 is recommended, but not required

Application Components

• Online application form
• One-page personal statement (maximum 500 words) addressing:
  • Interest in the program
  • Career interests and/or professional goals
  • Relevant experience as it relates to career goals and the program
  • What you hope to gain from participating in the program
• Official transcript
• Two faculty letters of recommendation for the Clinical Pathway and One faculty letter of recommendation for the PHD (P2P) Pathway
• Recent, passport-style photo

Dates and Deadlines

• September 11: Information Session
• September 29: Application Deadline
• November 7: Selection decisions announced
• November 12: Welcome Letter from Tufts Medical center Volunteer Office
• January 5 - 21: Program Dates

Program Details

The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the medical field and biomedical research. The program includes seminars, clinical shadowing, case-based learning, and research experiences. Students will have the opportunity to establish mentoring relationships with Tufts School of Medicine faculty and graduate and professional students. The program aims to strengthen candidacy for applying to graduate and professional degree programs and increase awareness of ways to finance graduate education.