Mott Community College and MSU College of Human Medicine Sign Articulation Agreement
April 19, 2021
Partnership provides “enhanced opportunity” for medical school admission
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and Mott Community College (MCC) have agreed to establish a cooperative program of premedical/medical education by which Mott Community College students who transfer as undergraduate premedical students to Michigan State University will have the opportunity to be granted an early assurance for admission to MSU College of Human Medicine.
The Early Assurance Opportunity (EAO) became official on April 20, at a virtual ceremony including MCC President Beverly Walker-Griffea, PhD, and MSU College of Human Medicine’s Interim Dean Aron Sousa, MD, and Joel Maurer, MD, assistant dean for admissions.
The EAO will provide an enhanced opportunity for admission to medical school for MCC students transferring to MSU as pre-medical students who are interested in working with underserved populations. These students will receive academic advising directed at admission to MSU College of Human Medicine, and will be enrolled in a program of enriching clinical and service experiences in preparation for admission.
“We are committed to bringing well-qualified premedical students from Mott Community College to MSU and the College of Human Medicine,” Sousa said. “This is a long-term vision for enhancing health care in Flint community and beyond. Local students may wish to return home for clinical education at our Flint campus, and possibly one day to practice in Flint.”
“This is a tremendous opportunity for Mott Community College students with aspirations for a career in medicine,” said MCC President, Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea. “The enhanced supports built into the program will provide traditionally under-served and under-supported students a connection with mentors and educational opportunities that will better prepare them to be successful.” Candidates for the Early Assurance Opportunity will receive academic advising directed toward admission to MSU and the College of Human Medicine. During their junior year at MSU, students who fit the mission of the Early Assurance Opportunity and the admissions criteria of the college may apply to the College of Human Medicine. Selected students will be assured of admission and begin a relationship with MSU College of Human Medicine during their senior year of college.
Nationally, admission to medical school is highly competitive. MSU’s Early Assurance Opportunity has helped build a pipeline between the state’s colleges and universities and MSU College of Human Medicine. This past year, MSU College of Human Medicine received 8,821 applications for 188 matriculants starting fall 2020.
Preference for EAO admission will be given to those former MCC students who now apply as an MSU student and may not otherwise be familiar with what goes into preparing for premedical and medical school application processes. These students must also meet one or more of the following criteria:
- First generation college student
- Graduate from a low-income high school as defined by the U.S. Dept. of Education
- Eligible for or a recipient of an undergraduate PELL or institutional need-based grant
- Graduate from an underserved (health professional shortage) urban or rural area
- Demonstrates interest in a high-need medical specialty area