The UAB Heersink School of Medicine partners with HBCUs across Alabama for our Burroughs Wellcome Scholars Early Assurance Program, identifying students committed to a career in medicine who want to make the most of their undergraduate education without having to apply to multiple medical schools in their final year of college.

The program provides early acceptance to our medical school for students who meet the requirements for acceptance and matriculation. We prepare Early Assurance Program students for medical school by providing opportunities in academic enrichment, mentoring, MCAT test preparation, community-building experiences, and clinical exposure. Partner schools whose students are eligible for the Early Assurance Program are Oakwood University, Alabama A&M University, Tuskegee University, Alabama State University, and Stillman College.

Eligibility

Ideal candidate qualifications include diverse experiences and perspectives, career potential for leadership, maturity, strong letters of support, disadvantaged backgrounds, and a passion for service.

Preference is given to Alabama residents.

Applicants should:

• Be committed to entering medical school after their undergraduate education
• Be an enrolled student at a partner university
• Have completed three full-time (or semester hour equivalent) semesters of college
• Have a 3.5 or above minimum undergraduate GPA
• Have a 3.5 or above minimum undergraduate science GPA (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math)
• Have medically related and community service experiences

Application Process

• Submit the Burroughs Wellcome Scholars Early Assurance Program application
• Submit three letters of recommendation.
  • Two of those letters should be from science faculty
  • One letter can be from a faculty member or individual (such as an advisor) who can provide in-depth evaluation and recommendation
• Submit your official transcript(s)
• Submit your ACT or SAT scores

Matriculation Requirements

• Before your senior year, submit an American Medical Colleges Application Services (AMCAS) application for the application cycle following your senior year in undergrad. AMCAS applications are due by Aug. 1 each year
• Maintain GPA and science GPA (BCPM) greater than or equal to 3.5.
• Satisfy our selection criteria for admission.
  • Complete all coursework required for admission to the Heersink School of Medicine
  • Take and earn a minimum score of 495 on the MCAT by September of senior year
  • Participate in community service, medical exposure, and student engagement experiences
  • Actively participate in Burroughs Scholars activities, including:
    • Summer programming following Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years
    • MCAT preparation
    • Mentoring opportunities
  • Participate in a formal, Junior year review