FINDING YOUR FUTURE PROGRAM

If you are interested in applying to medical school there is a wonderful opportunity to gain medical experience through the Finding Your Future Program at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine (USC-SOM).  The program has reserved spots for Winthrop University students (any major). This is a competitive program, but the Winthrop University students who have participated the program in the previous years have all been accepted to one or more medical schools.

Finding-your-future

Click on the FYF logo above to view the flyer

Pre-Med Students, there is a wonderful opportunity to gain clinical experience this summer through the Finding Your Future Program put on by University of South Carolina School of Medicine (USC-SoM) in Columbia in partnership with Prisma Health-Midlands (PHM). In past years, Winthrop University was allotted two spots in the program, that included housing in a USC dormitory (if desired) and a $1,500 stipend to help offset any expenses. Winthrop University students who have participated in the program in previous years all speak very highly of the experience.

Frequently Asked Questions:

    The Finding Your Future Program provides meaningful medical experience that will help strengthen your AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service) and/or AACOMAS (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service) application. Each student will rotate on a weekly basis through the following clinical areas: Family and Preventive Medicine, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Surgery. The program offers exposure to various aspects of the clinical arena including procedures, patient interaction, and patient education. It also includes advice on the medical school application process and a mock interview.

    Competitive undergraduate students are encouraged to apply. The program is targeted towards rising senior Pre-Med students who have not already been accepted to a medical school, so preference will be given to applicants meeting that description. The students selected for the program must be able to commit to the entire four weeks of the program without exception.

    The program is held at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia, SC in conjunction with the Prisma Health-Midlands Campus and private practice physicians in Columbia.

    Students will typically be shadowing from 8am—12pm and 1:30-5pm. During the week with surgery, students will be shadowing from approximately 7:45am—3pm.

    Applicants vying for a spot in this program will be reviewed by a panel of HPC faculty. To apply, you must submit the following via e-mail to hpc@winthrop.edu:

    A single e-mail from your Winthrop University e-mail account that includes a) a simple statement of your intention to apply for the Finding Your Future Program, b) your WUID number, c) your contact information (Winthrop University e-mail, permanent mailing address, and phone number), and d) the two attachments described below:

    1. Attachment 1: a PDF or Word document of your resume or CV. Please include your anticipated graduation date and a section that lists your current and completed science and math courses (including grades for completed courses).
    2. Attachment 2: a PDF or Word document of a personal statement that describes a) why you are interested in medicine, b) where you are in your academic career at Winthrop University, c) the steps you have taken and/or plan to take to prepare for the MCAT and the medical school application process, and d) how participating in the Finding Your Future Program will help you achieve your goals.

    Based on review of these materials, the panel will nominate students for the reserved spots and an alternate. The alternate will receive consideration (by USC-SoM staff) for any remaining spots in the program and would receive a reserved spot if either of the other applicants is unable to participate.

If you would like more information about the application process and program dates or if you have any other questions, please feel free to contact te College of Arts & Sciences.