Student Tribune
Statewide Initiative to Help More EOP Students Get Into SUNY's Medical Universities
SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras announced the first ever statewide
initiative to help more Educational Opportunity Program students get into
SUNY’s medical universities. Under the Chancellor’s SUNY for All
initiative, the Pre-Med Opportunity Program (Pre-OP) will help solve for
persistent income disparities found amongst the nation’s medical schools,
with about two-thirds of students coming from families within the top two
quintiles of family income ($74,870 to $225,251).
Building from SUNY’s longstanding and important Educational
Opportunity Program (EOP)—which serves New York State’s
disadvantaged students from underserved communities gain access and succeed in
undergraduate programs—as well as the successful medical pathway programs
at SUNY’s University at Buffalo, Downstate Health Sciences University,
Stony Brook University, and Upstate Medical, the SUNY for All Pre-OP will
provide academic support, mentorship, clinical exposure, assistance with MCAT
preparation, academic coaching, and workshops.
The SUNY Pre-Op is set to begin in Summer 2021 with 25 students, which would
be expanded based on initial results and further funding. To be considered for
the program, candidates must be a SUNY EOP sophomore or junior on a pre-medical
track, have a grade point average of 3.2 or higher, and have successfully
completed two semesters of general chemistry and two semesters of biology.
“The Educational Opportunity Program was groundbreaking in 1967 in
acknowledging that too many promising students from New York’s
disadvantaged communities didn’t attempt go to college because they
didn’t believe they could succeed, and now over 50 years of resources and
dedicated support by New York State has helped 76,000 students do just
that,” said Chancellor Malatras. “History has shown us that
well-qualified students from underserved communities often don’t have the
same opportunities to attend the nation’s medical programs and we can
change that in New York State. SUNY’s new Pre-Op program will take our
EOP program to the next level by empowering well-qualified students to enter
and successfully complete medical school regardless of their economic means or
background.”
SUNY Board Vice Chairman Cesar Perales said, “SUNY’s Educational
Opportunity Program has made a significant difference for thousands of students
by making college possible to achieve. Today’s announcement by Chancellor
Malatras takes this program a step further to make the playing field for
getting into medical school more equitable, a benefit for our students and also
our institutions by having a more diverse student body. SUNY for All Pre-Med
Opportunity Program is another example of SUNY solving for problems that affect
today’s students to ensure that they have a brighter future, and I look
forward to seeing this program grow.”
University at Buffalo President Satish K. Tripathi said, “The
University at Buffalo is very excited to participate in the SUNY for All
Pre-Med Opportunity Program. At the University at Buffalo, we are committed to
providing our EOP students with the necessary support to realize their personal
and professional aspirations. The SUNY All Pre-Med Opportunity Program is
consistent with our values to ensure all students with the academic background
and desire have the opportunity to pursue their dream of graduate medical
education.”
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University President Wayne J. Riley, M.D.
said, “Downstate is in a unique location that allows us to interact
closely with a community that understands the importance of having healthcare
professionals who understand them. Our ability to source, develop, and provide
opportunities for lower-income students seeking careers in healthcare is
bolstered by partnerships through our School of Graduate Studies that is
preparing the next generation of researchers. Likewise, our College of Nursing
is preparing underrepresented and disadvantaged graduate students with funding
for advanced practice primary care roles. We continue to encourage partnerships
that focus on how best to serve our very diverse community by providing options
specifically for those who are underrepresented in healthcare
careers.”
Stony Brook University President Maurie D. McInnis said, "We couldn't
be more pleased to support and participate in this groundbreaking program. It
matches our mission of ensuring equitable access to quality education for all
students and offering world-class healthcare to our local communities,
including those that have been historically underserved. Expanding EOP support
and resources for those pursuing medical school will be a huge step toward
equity in student success. Stony Brook University has a decades-long dedication
to providing EOP opportunities, and we are excited to now help medical students
explore different pathways to research innovation and clinical
experience.”
SUNY Upstate Medical University President Mantosh Dewan, M.D., said,
“Upstate Medical University is committed to admitting, training, and
shaping the next generation of health care leaders. The new SUNY for All
Pre-Medical Scholars Pipeline Program will allow more young men and women from
a wider variety of backgrounds pursue their dreams of becoming a doctor—a
profession that has never been more important or valued as we continue to fight
COVID-19. The SUNY EOP has a long and commendable history of propelling
students from disadvantaged backgrounds and we are eager to work with SUNY to
help students find successful academic careers at Upstate and beyond.
Chancellor Malatras will convene a group made up of System Administration
and the SUNY Medical School to lead in designing the program to ensure
compliance with the Liaison Committee on Medical Education accrediting body and
to help select the students for Pre-Op.
A final plan for the SUNY for All Pre-Medical Opportunity Program will be
provided to Chancellor Malatras by June 2021 before the first Summer 2021
class, and will be comprised of:
- Academic and psychosocial supports to successfully pursue careers
in medicine, including:
- Supplemental tutoring for gateway classes (organic chemistry,
physics, biochemistry, and calculus)
- Clinical and laboratory experience
- Exposure to medical school environment and curriculum
- Workshop/Seminar Series (health disparities, public health, and
policy)
- Virtual MCAT preparation workshops and study groups
- Summer enrichment program
- Research experience
- Internships
- Summer Bridge Program before first year of medical school
- Academic and socioemotional supports for students once they are
enrolled in medical school
- Mentorship by identifying and pairing students with EOP alumni,
SUNY medical faculty, medical professionals, or current SUNY medical
students
- Special admission consideration at the SUNY medical schools for
successful pre-medical scholars
- A system-wide EOP community of pre-medical scholars who will serve
as a source of camaraderie and support for each other
- Virtual test prep workshops and panel discussions related to
medical school admissions
- A clearinghouse of clinical and research experiences
- Institutional partnerships
Since its inception in 1967, the EOP has provided access, academic support,
and supplemental financial assistance to students from disadvantaged
backgrounds, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college. In
its 53-year history, the EOP has served more than 76,000 students and evolved
into one of the country's most successful college access programs.
In the current academic year, SUNY had more than 10,000 EOP students on 49
SUNY campuses. EOP students often outperform their peers, with 74 percent of
them graduating with a baccalaureate degree within six years.
SUNY graduates more than 11,000 health professionals every year, including
one of every three medical school graduates, nearly one of every three nursing
graduates, and one of every four dentists in the state. Enrollment for the
2020-2021 academic year is at 2,740 students. SUNY a
nnounced in December that it has received a dramatic increase in
applications to its medical programs.
Yule, Rosanna
Government and Community Relations
02/19/2021