This program was launched in April 2003 as a joint project between Shepherd University and West Virginia University School of Medicine. The program helps to simplify the process, provide clinical experiences and exposures to the medical profession.
This is a competitive process, and all applicants are not guaranteed acceptance. Students accepted will complete their undergraduate degree work and premedical required courses at Shepherd University. Provided that they maintain the agreed upon minimal academic and professional standards, they will be guaranteed an interview with the WVU School of Medicine. The basic science portion of the MD degree curriculum will be completed on the Morgantown campus, and the students will be assigned to the Eastern Division to complete the clinical portion of their degree work (typically the third and fourth years).
First STEP
Applicants will be accepted from currently enrolled Shepherd University students. Once all applications are received and reviewed, selected students will be asked for a personal interview with members of the WVU School of Medicine Admissions committee. Based upon all the information available at that time, including the interview scores, students per year will be selected to participate in the MedSTEP program
Second STEP
Students accepted into the MedSTEP program will be assured an interview to WVU School of Medicine as a MedSTEP applicant provided that they:
- Maintain a GPA of at least a 3.5 for all courses, and for all their science courses
- Participate in the monthly seminar-enrichment activities to include study skills, reading evaluations, medical related experiences and community service.
- Participate in pre-planned summer medically related activities.
- Maintain standards of honesty, integrity, citizenship and service.
Third STEP
In April of their third year of studies at Shepherd University, students will be required to take the Medical School Admissions Test (MCAT) and score at least an 8 in each category of Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences, and Biological Sciences. For those taking the new MCAT 2015, applicants will need to have a 125 in each of the four sections. Students will be expected to graduate from Shepherd University with a degree which includes all the pre-requisite courses for standard admission to the School of Medicine. Students will still need to complete the standard AMCAS application process for all medical schools.
Links of Interest
WVU Health Sciences Center
Eastern Division Office of Student Services
2500 Foundation Way
Martinsburg, WV 25401
Phone: (304) 264-9202 ext. 6316
Fax: (304) 596-6330