JAMP’s Student Success Seminar Series: Empowering the Whole Scholar
JAMP's five-part seminar series, in partnership with OnlineMedEd, provided scholars with strategies to support both academic success and personal growth.
Empowering JAMP Scholars to Thrive with Enhanced Support and Resources
The Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP) is dedicated to improving student outcomes and facilitating access to medical school for aspiring physicians across Texas. Here are the latest updates and what they mean for the program and the scholars we serve.
The Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP) offers a transformative summer internship experience for aspiring medical students, meticulously designed to prepare them for the challenges of medical school and beyond.
JAMP Summer Programs
This program comprises two distinct summer sessions, each focused on rigorous academic enrichment, clinical experiences, and community service projects, all aimed at fostering a deep understanding of the medical profession.
In Summer I, the program emphasizes laying a strong foundation for future medical studies. Participants engage in comprehensive MCAT preparation, critical thinking development, and coursework in Anatomy and Physiology. Scholars benefit from hands-on training through preceptorship opportunities, which provide invaluable real-world clinical experience while fostering a sense of community among participants.
As scholars transition into Summer II, the focus shifts toward preparing for the medical
school application process. This phase includes guidance on completing applications,
crafting personal statements, and writing essays, as well as workshops designed to
enhance interview skills. Additionally, scholars delve into a Biochemistry course
to further support their readiness for medical school. For those who meet the MCAT
requirements, the opportunity for further preceptorship experiences awaits, while
students retaking the exam can access dedicated tutoring programs.
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July Council Meeting Updates
Welcoming new members to the JAMP Council brings fresh perspectives that will benefit our scholars. Dr. Mike Kennedy joins from the University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM), with Dr. Nekesha Oliphant as the TCOM Alternate member. Their expertise will help guide JAMP's mission of providing opportunities to future medical professionals.
Congratulations to Dr. Cynthia Perry from Texas Tech Health Science Center El Paso and Dr. Jesus Vallejo from Baylor College of Medicine, who were appointed as JAMP Council Chair and Chair-Elect, respectively, on July 30, 2024.
In response to the needs of our scholars, the JAMP Council has extended the MCAT testing period through September 5, 2024. This extension, available to those who submit an alternate MCAT Timeline appeal by August 7, 2024, provides additional time for preparation, ensuring scholars can perform their best.
To accommodate those affected by Hurricane Beryl, the TMDSAS Secondary Application deadline for JAMP Scholars currently applying to medical school has been extended from August 1 to August 15. This extension allows impacted scholars to complete their applications without added pressure due to impacts caused by the storm.
Scholar MCAT Performance Update
The EY23 cohort has shown remarkable improvement in their MCAT performance in year-to-year comparisons. EY23 has 11 more scholars (+9%) meeting the required MCAT score on the first attempt, while there were also 8 fewer who did not meet the score threshold. This success underscores the selection of highly motivated scholars and the impact of enhanced communications to maximize the benefit from program initiatives. Final data will be available following the October Council Meeting.
By focusing communications on what scholars need to succeed and providing robust support through resources like MCAT Prep Services, we have laid the groundwork for a bright future for these aspiring medical professionals. This approach has empowered our scholars to achieve better outcomes, reinforcing JAMP's commitment to their academic excellence.
Upcoming Regional JFD Meetings
From August 12-16, JAMP Administration will host Regional JFD Meetings at various locations:
- August 12: Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, Lubbock
- August 13: TCOM
- August 14: McGovern
- August 15: Long School of Medicine
- August 16: UT System Administration Building
These meetings will unite JAMP administration and faculty directors from our 68 undergraduate
partner institutions. By sharing innovative strategies, JAMP aims to enhance recruitment,
outreach, persistence, and retention efforts, ultimately supporting our scholars and
addressing the physician shortage in Texas.
Looking Ahead
In the upcoming JAMP Council Meeting in October, we will submit the final candidates from JAMP's EY 2023 cohort to move into the match process, which will result in their acceptance to medical school. The December Council Meeting will focus on selecting applicants for EY25 interviews, marking another milestone in the program's mission to identify and support aspiring medical professionals from across Texas.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to the JAMP mission. Together, we strive to foster well-prepared and supported future generation of physicians, ensuring that our scholars have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.
About the author: The Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP) is a special program created by the Texas Legislature to support and encourage highly qualified, economically disadvantaged Texas resident students pursuing a medical education.
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