Program Overview

Introduction to the Houston Premedical Academy

The Houston Premedical Academy is an eight-year, high school-to-medical school scholarship program established in 1996 as a partnership among the DeBakey High School for Health Professions, the University of Houston, and Baylor College of Medicine.

Program Overview

• The program selects up to six students each year, with a total of 187 students having matriculated into the program to date.
• 108 HPA students have entered medical school, and 76 have received an M.D., with 73 graduating from Baylor College of Medicine and three from other Texas medical schools.
• As of Fall 2020, 24 program students are enrolled at the University of Houston, and 25 are at Baylor College of Medicine.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for the Houston Premedical Academy, applicants must:

• Complete three applications:
  • UH Admission Application
  • UH Honors College Application
  • HPA Application
• Be admitted to the University of Houston and the UH Honors College prior to review by Baylor College of Medicine.
• Major in any undergraduate degree program offered by the University of Houston, but must minor in the Medicine & Society Program offered by the Honors College.
• Reside in Honors College Housing during the first year at the University of Houston.

Academic Requirements

• Program students must take and pass all Baylor College of Medicine prerequisites, including:
  • One year of Honors Freshman biology (with lab)
  • One year of general chemistry, Honors section preferred (with lab)
  • One year of organic chemistry (with lab)
  • One year of physics (with lab)
  • One year of Human Situation (Honors Freshman English)
• No grade lower than a "C" will be accepted for these classes.
• Students must maintain a semester and cumulative GPA average of at least 3.50 and a semester and cumulative science GPA average of at least 3.50 (on a 4.0 system).

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) Requirements

• To gain admission into Baylor College of Medicine, HPA students must obtain an MCAT score of 500-507.
• No section score (biological and biochemical foundations of living systems, chemical and physical foundations of biological systems, psychological, social and biological foundations of behavior, and critical analysis and reasoning skills) can be less than 125.

Program Duration and Outcome

The entire program lasts eight years, from entrance into the HPA at the University of Houston through graduation from Baylor College of Medicine. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a provisional acceptance into Baylor College of Medicine, provided they meet all the outlined criteria.