Applications open Oct. 1 for medical school’s immersive undergraduate program

In October, the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine will open applications for an immersive program that provides opportunities for undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing medical school.

The Early Identification Program provides intensive preparation over two summer sessions for rising undergraduate juniors and seniors at several universities in Virginia.

“It has been really eye-opening and really exciting,” said Jocelyne Dempsey, a first-year participant from Old Dominion University. “Being in a human studies lab this summer has been super exciting to see the research that goes into translational neurobiology and how they collect this information that is going to help in the clinical settings in the future. And that helps shape what I will get to do once I’m in medicine.”

In addition to students from Virginia Tech and Virginia State University, the commonwealth’s two land-grant universities, students from James Madison University, Old Dominion University, and William & Mary can apply.

During their first summer in the program, participants receive 10 weeks of intense exposure to hands-on independent research under the guidance of researchers from Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC. During the second summer, continuing students participate in six weeks of clinical rotations through various departments at Carilion Clinic facilities and receive individualized MCAT test preparation and application advising. 

“As a part of the second year of the program, I really loved it because we were able to do hands-on experiences within clinics or within the hospital. It’s been key in shaping my passion for medicine, and I feel like this has sparked my interest much more because it introduced me to a lot more specialties,” said Hezekiah Emmanuel, a senior at James Madison University. “This program has allowed me to understand and reaffirm my passion in medicine. I am currently interested in orthopedic surgery, which I really wasn’t aware of until I was introduced to it with this program.”

Participants form a tight-knit cohort as they learn about research and medicine. They also get to know researchers, medical school faculty, and admissions office staff throughout their two years. 

“Before this experience, I was really hesitant about pursuing medicine despite wanting to do it because I believed that it wasn't an option for me,” said Jana Adams, a Virginia Tech senior. “I'm thankful to this program for showing me that medicine is more than just science. It is a community, and I am grateful for this opportunity because initially I didn't think that something like this would be possible.”

The in-portion component of the Early Identification Program (EIP) was paused for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed with two students in the summer of 2022. In each of 2023 and 2024, there were six total participants in the program. 

“We are exceedingly proud of our EIP participants. They have engaged with open minds and active participation in a way that has allowed them to take full advantage of our program,” said Melanie Prusakowski, associate dean for admissions. “We will continue to create opportunities for active learners who want to spend two summers immersing themselves in the academic, research, clinical, social, and cultural environment we think helps to maximally prepare someone for medical school.”

The medical school will begin accepting applications for the 2025 cohort on Oct. 1 and the application process will close on Feb. 1, 2025. 

“This program is absolutely amazing and will be able to provide you the resources in order to increase your exposure or your experiences and to becoming a competitive applicant for medical school,” said Nicole Acosta, a Virginia Tech senior. “I would say [to perspective students], do the application. Even though you may not think ‘Oh, I'm not qualified for it or I might not get it,’ you never know.”

More about the Early Identification Program

Included in the program is

• Room and board in downtown Roanoke 
• A stipend for living expenses
• Research experience with world-renowned scientists
• Clinical experience shadowing experienced physicians
• Mentoring from established physicians and community members
• Preparation for the MCAT medical school entrance exam
• One-on-one application counseling and interview prep

How to become part of the program

Undergraduate students who are eligible for the program should fill out the online application. Interested students in their sophomore or junior year will need to submit

• A completed online application
• A copy of their academic transcripts
• Two professional references, including one from a science faculty member

The 2025 application period will open on Oct. 1, 2024 and close on Feb. 1, 2025. For more information, contact Katherine Murphy at kbmurphy@vt.edu.