- Qualify as economically or educationally disadvantaged, or as an underrepresented minority - Students will be considered educationally disadvantaged if neither parent has completed a bachelor's degree or higher. Guidelines for determining if you qualify as economically disadvantaged can be found on the Summer Scholars FAQs page. - Underrepresented minority is defined as racial or ethnic populations who are underrepresented in the designated health profession discipline relative to the number of individuals who are members of the population involved. This definition would include Black or African American, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latino, and any Asian American other than Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Asian Indian or Thai. - Two letters of recommendation from natural science faculty who taught you in class OR one letter of recommendation from a premedical/health professions advising committee - Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended - U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status - A minimum of one year each of college-level chemistry, biology and physics Things we consider are: - science GPA - eligibility criteria - grade trends/academic performance - essay question responses - interest in osteopathic medicine - MCAT scores (only needed if you want to participate in the guaranteed interview, not for selection into the program). - faculty evaluations - preference is given to rising seniors, recent college graduates and non-traditional premed students Selection decisions will be made by late-March - Applicants selected for the program will be notified via email - While the program is designed to benefit rising college seniors, college juniors and college graduates may also be considered.

Criteria for selection are based on a number of factors including 1) showing educational promise and a strong commitment to a health career but lack of past opportunities (educational, social and economic) that may place a student from a nontraditional background at a disadvantage in seeking admission and successfully entering medical or dental school. 2) Must have completed at least 3 years of college coursework including Organic Chemistry.

Eligible applicants for the Summer Program for Future Doctors includes pre-medical applicants with a desire to attend medical school. Students motivated to pursue a career in medicine or looking to improve their chances of acceptance to medical school. College juniors, seniors, or post graduates. Permanent resident of North Carolina and United States Citizens. Students who have satisfactorily completed introductory level courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and organic chemistry. Students with evidence of community service and volunteering. Students with a cumulative GPA that demonstrates potential for academic success. (2.75 or higher is strongly recommended.) Students with reasonable standardized testing success. (SAT, GRE, ACT, MCAT, please note standardized tests are not required for eligibility.) SPFD is a mission based program with priority given to minority, disadvantaged, financially challenged and non-traditional students. While this is the program mission, it is not a requirement for admission. SPFD supports the development of a diverse physician workforce.

Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, members of a minority or under-represented group in scientific and medical professions; rising sophomores or juniors with a 3.0 GPA, having an interest in MD/PhD degree.