Georgetown: GEMS

The Georgetown Experimental Medical Studies: GEMS Program has a long and very strong record of helping under-represented minorities achieve the dream of going on to become practicing physicians.

Since 1977, there have been over 500 graduates of the program and on an ever better note, over the last 5 years 82% of GEMS graduates have been successful in gaining admission to Georgetown University School of Medicine (but if you want to go to another medical school you have that option).

Program Focus

The program is geared towards students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the capacity to make significant contributions to meeting the needs of minority populations, disadvantaged and under-served populations.

Specifically, the program believes that if you have modest academic credentials due to falling into the above categories then you are an ideal candidate.

Many of the program participants are from groups traditionally under-represented in medicine and this includes: African-Americans, Mainland Puerto Ricans, Mexican Americans and Native Americans.

Structure

This is a one year post-baccalaureate program where admitted students into the program will have the opportunity to show their promise in becoming a physician by passing selected courses taught to first year medical students at Georgetown University School of Medicine.

GEMS students will take these selected courses and be graded on the same basis as the medical students. Additionally, you will be taking a graduate level biochemistry course.

You will find this program to be highly structured and expect to be involved in active learning sessions for approximately seven to eight hours each day.

There is intensive preparation and counseling provided to newly admitted students over the summer so that you will have gained appropriate study skills, have confidence, and generally be on a competitive level with the incoming first-year medical students.

Eligibility

Applicants to the Georgetown GEMS program must have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.

You must show that you have successfully completed one year each of: general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, physics, and college level mathematics. The appropriate laboratory component to the above mentioned courses are required as well.

The program will only accept applicants who are seeking admission to medical school when they apply and who have their Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores at time of application i.e. have already taken MCAT and received your score.

Admissions

Getting into GEMS is very tough and one reason is the very stringent application period. You have only one month to apply, from mid-February to mid-March.

Applicants will find the entering class to be small with about 30 students on average. If you have the appropriate credentials on paper, you will have the opportunity to come to Georgetown for an interview.

The interview will be your typical one for medical school: are you a good fit, do you have a strong desire for medicine, and are you who you say you are on paper.

While at the interview you will also have to take a few tests, for your ability in the sciences, basic learning aptitude, etc. These are not tests which you can prepare for in-advance, so there should be no pressure on you.