UM-SMART is a 10-week summer undergraduate research program sponsored by the University of Michigan Medical Scientist Training Program on the medical campus of UM in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
UM-SMART is designed for undergraduate students who have an interest in obtaining a combined MD/PhD degree leading to a career in academic medicine as a physician-scientist performing basic research relevant to human health and disease. As an UM-SMART summer research fellow, students work full-time in a basic research laboratory under the mentorship of a research faculty member.
The goal of the UM-SMART program is to help students decide if a career as a physician-scientist is right for them, and to enhance competitiveness when applying to MD/PhD programs. The UM-SMART has helped 77 undergraduate participants learn about MD/PhD training since 2008. After graduation, 76% of past participants entered MD/PhD, PhD, or MD programs.
This 10-week program is aimed at students who have some amount of basic
and mechanistic research experience related to medicine and are
interested in gaining more experience to advance their career goals.
UM-SMART is not intended for students seeking clinical research
experience on human subjects. Additionally, they do not offer
opportunities in public health, the social sciences, or humanities.
Program Highlights: Students receive a stipend of $4,400 plus double occupancy dormitory
housing and a meal allowance. The main scientific focus of the summer
program is to provide full-time laboratory biomedical research, as well
as:
- Two half day clinical shadowing experiences
- Online MCAT preparation accessible for 12 months
- Oral and Poster presentation and relevant seminars
- “Big Sib” Mentoring Program
- Attend 3-day MSTP annual scientific retreat
Eligibility: Applicants belonging to groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research are strongly encouraged to apply. This includes: individuals from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, such as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds such as family annual income below established low-income thresholds, or an educational environment that has inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to develop and participate in a research career.
In addition, applicants must:
- Be a US Citizen or permanent resident of the US
- Complete sophomore year by June 1, 2020
- Maintain a minimum 3.2 grade point average
- Complete 100 hours of research lab experience by June 1, 2020
- Submit two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a research mentor or instructor
To apply to the UM-SMART program, please follow this link: UM-SMART application. To learn more, visit their website. Should you have any questions about the program please feel free to contact the University of Michigan MSTP office at mstp@umich.edu.
- Application deadline: January 17, 2020
- Summer Program dates: May 26-Aug 2, 2020