Calvin among first private colleges to join statewide pipeline of med students for MSU

On October 25, 2010, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine announced agreements with Calvin College, Aquinas College and Hope College that will provide an enhanced opportunity for the private colleges' premedical students to attend medical school.

MSU College of Human Medicine Dean Marsha D. Rappley, M.D., welcomed the presidents of all three private colleges to the Secchia Center in downtown Grand Rapids to finalize the Early Assurance Program for admissions, including Gaylen J. Byker, Ph.D., president, Calvin College; C. Edward Balog, Ph.D., president, Aquinas College; and James E. Bultman, Ph.D., president, Hope College.

Preference for the Early Assurance Program will be given to deserving students and students interested in caring for underserved populations from the three institutions.

"Our medical school is looking forward to increasing the number of students from West Michigan's leading private institutions," said Marsha D. Rappley, M.D., dean, MSU College of Human Medicine. "The students from these mission-oriented colleges share our core values. They bring the rigor of a superb liberal arts and science education along with a passion for serving others that is needed in the physicians of our future."

And Calvin has a record of preparing students well for medical school. Each summer, more than 80 students work alongside professors doing research in the sciences. Since 2000, more than 200 students have had their research published in academic journals. And over the course of the past decade, approximately 82 percent of pre-med and dental students have been accepted to medical and dental school.

"Calvin College will continue to make a substantial contribution to the physician work-force of the future and this partnership will only enhance Calvin's presence as a partner in the west Michigan health care community," said Calvin College president Gaylen Byker.

For the 2010 entering class, the College of Human Medicine received more than 5,900 applicants for 200 seats available for first-year students. With today's announcement, up to eight admission slots per year will be reserved for the combined three colleges.

MSU currently has 27 students from Calvin, Aquinas and Hope Colleges in its four-year program, averaging seven new students per year from the west Michigan colleges. The intent of the Early Assurance Program is to significantly increase this number, giving more west Michigan students the opportunity to pursue their medical education at MSU.

Candidates for the Early Assurance Program will complete a program of enriching clinical and service experiences, as well as academic advising directed toward admission to MSU College of Human Medicine. During their junior year, students who excel in their premedical program may apply to the College of Human Medicine and selected students will be assured of admission and begin a relationship with MSU College of Human Medicine during their senior year of college.

MSU College of Human Medicine's partnership with the private colleges is part of a growing network of collaborations MSU has established with statewide institutions with a long-term vision for enhancing health care throughout Michigan. Other colleges and universities participating in the Early Assurance Program are: Saginaw Valley State University, Kettering University, The University of Michigan-Flint, Northern Michigan University, Lake Superior State University, Michigan Technological University, and Grand Valley State University. The first six students in the Early Assurance Program from Grand Valley State University began classes in August at the College of Human Medicine.

For more info, contact Geri Kelley, MSU College of Human Medicine, (616) 350-7976, geri.kelley@hc.msu.edu

-end-
Received on Mon Oct 25 11:45:43 2010