Abstract
Pre-med Buddies: Increasing diversity of medical school applicants through near-peer mentorship
Peter Palmero, Kyle Bauckman PhD
Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine (NSU MD)
INTRODUCTION: In recent decades, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education has encouraged medical schools to establish programs to increase the diversity of applicant pools for medical education programs.1 This mandate has compelled medical schools to increase outreach to students from populations underrepresented in medicine (URM). However, most pipeline initiatives are aimed at high school students, and support for undergraduate students is lacking.2
METHODS: Pre-med Buddies aims to provide mentorship to undergraduate students by current medical students. First year medical students will serve as mentors to freshmen undergraduates, guiding them through the process of preparation for, and application to, medical school. These relationships will persist throughout their four years of education, culminating in the graduation of both mentees and mentors. Surveys will be administered yearly to assess the participants’ satisfaction with the program and the effect of the program’s interventions.
OUTCOMES: Broward College has expressed interest in collaborating with NSU MD to create this program. We expect that mentees will report an increase in their likelihood to seek and participate in clinical experiences and shadowing, as well as increased confidence in their ability to prepare for medical school applications.
DISCUSSION: We expect that the results will show that Pre-med Buddies will increase mentees’ knowledge of the medical school application process and increase their preparedness and likelihood for applying to medical school.
