College of Medicine Catalog
2006
Medical Student Bridge Program
The University of Arizona College of Medicine is committed to admitting students with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Although all admitted students are qualified to succeed in medical school, some students may benefit from additional preparation and orientation before beginning the medical curriculum. To assist these students, the College of Medicine offers a 7-day Medical Student Bridge Program spread over the week and a half immediately preceding the start of classes. This program was developed by Dr. Marc Tischler, Professor of Biochemistry, and was first offered to 24 students in July 1995.
The program is designed:
- to develop students' study and time-management skills;
- to improve academic performance;
- to begin students' transitions into medical school and the profession;
- to familiarize students with small group and team learning activities; and
- to initiate students' collegial relationships with faculty, development staff and other students.
Students apply for the program after receiving their notice of admission to medical school; a stipend is provided for the program. Students with some of the following characteristics are felt to constitute good candidates for the program:
- medicine as a significant career change;
- most recent science coursework more than three years ago;
- family responsibilities;
- English as a second language;
- undergraduate non-science major; and
- learning or other disability.
Orientation to the medical school is provided to each incoming class prior to the start of the first semester. Students are introduced to the educational philosophy of the College, the curricular elements, methods for achieving optimal learning and self-management skills. The advisory system, financial aid, student governance and other topics are also introduced at this orientation.