Medical Education Development (MED) Program |

The Medical Education Development (MED) Program is an intensive educational experience and challenging opportunity to gain insight into the realities of attending medical or dental school.

The MED Program was established in 1974 and is designed to increase opportunities in the health professions for individuals who demonstrate educational promise and commitment to a health career but who have lacked opportunities in the past in moving toward their professional goals. The MED Program is sponsored by the University of North Carolina Schools of Medicine and Adams School of Dentistry, and the State of North Carolina. The program offers a structured summer curriculum at the level of professional education to increase the ability of advanced pre-professional candidates. MED is designed to increase opportunities in the health professions for individuals who have lacked opportunities, access, and resources and who demonstrate educational promise and commitment to health careers, to compete successfully for admission to health professional schools.

MED serves three types of students: those seeking confirmation, re-confirmation, or affirmation in their academic abilities.

MED has two goals: to break down students processes (thinking, learning, studying & testing skills) to build up better foundations.

MED desires one outcome: to develop each student into a more compassionate human being, a more skilled scholar, and more insightful healthcare professional.

The MED 2024 application has closed. MED 2025 application will open in fall 2024.

The 2024 MED application will close on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.

Please email Lisa Long with any questions or issues with the application at lisa_long@med.unc.edu

Due to the heavy volume of emails throughout the application cycle, please allow 24-48 business hours for a response.

Important Note:

As a reminder, if you have a current medical school application at UNC SOM, you will need to use a different email address to set-up your MED application than you used for your medical school application.

Want to learn more about MED?

MED 2024 INFORMATION SESSIONS – BEGINNING FALL 2023

Interested in learning more?

We are excited to host virtual information sessions to discuss MED 2024 and answer any questions prospective applicants have about the program.

MED Virtual Interest meetings will be held via zoom at 5:30pm the second Mondays of October, November, & December:

Monday, October 9, 2023

Monday, November 13, 2023

Monday, December 11, 2023

Zoom link here

Meeting ID: 524 603 0853

General FAQs

General Information

What is the MED program?

The MED Program is a demanding academic preparatory program for students who have lacked opportunities, access, and resources and who demonstrate educational promise and commitment to health careers. Students take part in an intensive curriculum that mimics the first semester of medical and dental school. The program enhances your studying and test-taking skills and strengthens your sciences to prepare you adequately to begin medical or dental school. Participants take courses in biochemistry, gross anatomy, histology, microbiology, physiology, and dental theory (pre-dental). The MED dental theory course is held at Durham Technical Community College. We unfortunately are unable to provide transportation between campuses.

How long is the program and when/where is the program held?

The program is tentatively planned for nine (9) weeks and is usually held from last Friday in May until the last Saturday in July. It is held on the campus of UNC School of Medicine and Adams School of Dentistry. Tentative MED 2024 dates will be Friday, May 24 – Saturday, July 27, 2024.

What is the typical daily schedule?

Classes and professional sessions are scheduled Monday – Friday, 8:00 – 5:00 pm daily with study review sessions on Saturday from 9:00am-12:00pm. Participants are in class for the full time most days. All scheduled sessions are required, unless indicated by the program staff. A typical weekly schedule would resemble the following: (Note: This is not a final schedule but intended to be a guide. Dates and times are tentative).

TENTATIVE 2024 SCHEDULE *BASED ON IN-PERSON SCHEDULE*

The decision for in-person versus virtual program will be made in January 2023 and will depend on Covid housing requirements on campus.

MED Begins – May 24th

8:00am-12:00pm – Move-In

1:00pm-4:00pm – On-boarding

MED Orientation – Tuesday, May 28th

ACADEMIC Block 1 – May 28th – June 24th

8:00am-12:00pm – Biochemistry

1:00pm-5:00pm – Microbiology

ACADEMIC Block 2 – June 25th – July 27th

8:00am-12:00pm – Histology & Physiology

1:00pm – 5:00pm – Gross Anatomy

STRUCTURE

LECTURES
LABS
SMALL GROUPS/CLINICAL CASES
WEEKLY EXAMS

240 hours of instructional time

Classes are held M-F 8:00am-5:00pm with occasional evening courses (Dental Theory), events, and office hours. Mandatory Saturday review sessions are held each Saturday from 9:00am-12:00pm.

Can you miss any days of MED?

Students accepted into the MED Program are expected to be present for the full duration of the program. Absences are excused in the event of personal illness, graduations, weddings, funerals or extenuating circumstances. However, extended absence from the program will hinder performance as the program is rigorous and has frequent examinations without time for making up missed work and further participation in the program will be left to the discretion of the Director.

How many people apply each year?

Over 300 applications are completed each year.

How many people are chosen each year?

The program accepts 60 applicants in total. Forty-eight (48) applicants are accepted for the medical component and twelve (12) for the dental component.

When are selections made?

Applicants should expect notification about the status of their application April 8, 2024 by close of business. If we are delayed in releasing decisions we will email all applicants with that update on April 8th.

Is there a waitlist?

Yes.

Is the waitlist ranked?

No.

Are there interviews?

No.

Benefits

What is the amount of the stipend?

The amount of the taxable stipend is $3000, which is distributed in two installments of $2000 and $1000. The first installment is paid at the end of June and the second upon completion of the program once all parking/room fees (lost keys, parking tickets) have been deducted. We estimate that stipend arriving the second week of August for participants. These funds are intended to help subsidize the cost of meals, transportation, and general living expenses. Housing and other program materials are provided by the MED Program.

Are accommodations provided?

The program pays for participant housing in an on-campus dormitory. Participants must bring all personal items. Furniture is provided in the dormitory (bed, dresser, and desk included).