About Our Program

Mission of Mercy

  • Pre-Matriculation

    Two-year participants

    In order for MRPSP undergraduates to be able to earn a seat in medical school, Dr. Steven Case and the School of Medicine Admissions Committee were instrumental in creating the Direct Admissions process. Well-qualified sophomore applicants who have had successful interviews with the practicing physicians on the MRPSP Board will interview with the Admissions Committee in April. If the admissions committee sees the potential for the applicant to grow into a competent, competitive medical student, they are granted Direct Admission status. This means the student must maintain their grades during the junior and senior years, score reasonably well on the MCAT and actively participate in all MRPSP activities.

    The required MCAT score is tied to the student’s BCPM (biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics) GPA – high grades allow the MCAT score to tick down a few points below what is considered competitive that year. The reverse is true. Those receiving Direct Admission status are evaluated in early October of the senior year to confirm that all three conditions are satisfied.

    MCAT prep

    This fall 18 college students (2014 medical school applicants) will benefit from a combination the Examkrackers study guides and six complete MCAT practice tests in preparation for the April 2013 examination. This program benefit is funded by the generosity of the Vicksburg Medical Foundation.

    One-year participants

    Students may also be one-year participants in the pre-matriculation phase. These junior applicants do not enjoy the full benefits enjoyed by two-year participants as they must do their own MCAT prep and go through the regular decision admission process. However, they get priority consideration for the scholarship once they are admitted to medical school.

    Currently there 35 undergraduates in the pre-matriculation phase of the pipeline program.

    Benefits

    • MCAT preparation valued at $2,000
    • Rural practicing physicians mentoring
    • Two-day biannual Medical Encounters experiences at UMMC
    • Rural clinical experiences and community health care assessment studies relevant to the student's hometown area
    • Consideration for Direct Admission to UMMC's School of Medicine
    • Preferred candidate for $30,000 per year medical school scholarship
    • Membership in the Mississippi Rural Health Association