The Medical/Dental Education Preparatory Program (MEDPREP) of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine has served over 1000 educationally or economically disadvantaged students since its inception in 1972. Seventy-eight percent of the former students (95% of the current students) are members of AAMC-defined underrepresented minority groups (URMs). Over the course of its 30-year history, 68% of the students have been accepted to professional schools, with 92% being accepted to medical schools and attending 90 different medical schools in the country. Of those accepted to professional schools, 87% have graduated or are expected to graduate. MEDPREP has had this impact on the profession by staying true to its original mission, assisting minority students and other students with disadvantaged backgrounds to prepare for admission and success in medical school. MEDPREP is an environment of high expectations, teamwork, personal growth, and opportunities to achieve goals. Students are served by an advisor who helps structure an individualized curriculum designed to develop a knowledge base and learning and reasoning skills. The success of the program is due to the school's commitment and support, the faculty who serve the students, and the sacrifice and hard work of the MEDPREP students.
The grade-point averages (GPAs), Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores, and Student Progress Committee (SPC) ratings of 75 minority students who had attended a preparatory program at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine at some period from 1976 through 1986 were analyzed to determine how these variables related to the retention and progress of these students in medical school. Although those retained had higher SPC ratings than those not retained, stepwise regression revealed that none of the variables predicted retention. The MCAT Reading score, however, was significantly higher for students who progressed on schedule; it was the only significant predictor of progress.
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