College Student Programs

The Robert C. Byrd Center for Rural Health facilitates two signature programs for college students in West Virginia and its surrounding states.

Hampton University Mentoring Program

Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and Hampton University, a historically Black university, established a joint mentoring program in 2013.

Marshall School of Medicine admissions representatives conduct two visits annually to Hampton’s campus located in Hampton, Virginia. During these visits, presentations are made to both undergraduate and graduate students regarding the admissions process, application and MCAT preparation and mock interviews.

During the year, admissions staff correspond with and mentor interested students about the process and provide recommendations on how to make their application competitive. Each year, five slots are made available for Hampton students to participate in the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine Summer Academy.

Summer Academy

Summer Academy is a fast-paced week for college students who aspire to become physicians and want to prepare for medical school. Undergraduate students from both public and private colleges in West Virginia are eligible to apply for this free summer program.

Participants learn:

• interviewing skills
• how to maximize study skills
• tips from experts on the medical school admissions process

Students also engage in hands-on exercises in clinical skills, suturing and wound care. They build splints in a “wilderness” environment and interact with medical students, physician residents and faculty. They also tour the anatomy lab and learn about the human organ systems.

The academy is free to students selected to participate. Eligible participants must be West Virginia residents who are currently enrolled in a West Virginia public or private accredited college or university and are in good academic standing; passed a minimum of 30 earned college hours; minimum overall college GPA of at least a 3.00 is strongly preferred; a minimum composite score of 22 on the ACT or SAT equivalent is strongly preferred. Students should also show a demonstrated serious interest in a medical career. Women, minorities and those from underrepresented groups in medicine are encouraged to apply.

Applications will be available in early 2021.

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