Once accepted into the PPC program, you will take the required college course work at one of our partner universities.

While in college, you must achieve a 3.25 cumulative GPA on a 4.00 scale at the end of the first academic year. Thereafter, you will need to annually maintain a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA and complete the required prerequisite courses with no grade below a "C".

Required prerequisite courses:

• General Biology (with laboratory) - 8 hrs or 1 yr
• Additional Biological Sciences - 6 hrs or 1 yr
• General Chemistry (with laboratory) - 8 hrs or 1 yr
• Organic Chemistry (with laboratory) - 8 hrs or 1 yr
• General Physics (with laboratory) - 8 hrs or 1 yr
• English - 6 hrs or 1 yr
• Calculus or Statistics (math based) - 3 hrs or 1⁄2 yr

You must also take the MCAT and score a minimum total of 25 (with not less than a 7 in each section - Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences, and Biological Sciences), remain in good standing at all times at your college, participate regularly in community service and medically-related activities, demonstrate leadership and complete a baccalaureate degree within a standard acceptable time frame. For most students, this will be four years.

If you meet the requirements listed above, your position in medical school is guaranteed.

Opportunities for Enrichment

While enrolled in the PPC program, you will have the opportunity to participate in several medical enrichment activities during your undergraduate years. These activities include workshops on success in medical school, medical seminars with topics ranging from ethics to research, and dialogue with other students in the program. You will also participate in summer enrichment programs, visit the College of Medicine campus and participate in clinical observation experiences.

The following list outlines potential activities for PPC students during undergraduate training:

Year 1:

• Shadowing community-based physicians
• Shadowing first- and second-year medical students
• Volunteer work at a community-based clinic or free clinic
• Community service
• Summer week-long medically supervised experience at clinical campus
• Clinical preceptorship in hometown

Year 2:

• Shadowing community-based physicians
• Shadowing third- and fourth-year medical students
• Attending Humanities and Leadership in Medicine seminars
• Continuing community service
• Summer week-long medically supervised experience at clinical campus
• Clinical preceptorship in hometown
• Summer undergraduate research fellowship (optional and competitive)

Year 3:

• Shadowing community-based physicians
• Shadowing third- and fourth-year medical students
• Attending Humanities and Leadership in Medicine seminars
• Continuing community service
• Summer week-long medically supervised experience
• Clinical preceptorship in hometown
• Summer undergraduate research fellowship (optional and competitive)
• MCAT diagnostics and medical school interview

Year 4:

• Shadowing community-based physicians 
• Shadowing third- and fourth-year medical students
• Attending Humanities and Leadership in Medicine seminars
• Continuing community service
• Orientation and matriculation to the College of Medicine

Once you begin medical school, you will spend your first two years receiving education in the basic sciences. During your first year, you will also have the opportunity to participate in a summer clinical preceptorship program and experience the health care environment in a rural or medically underserved area of Texas.

Your third and fourth years of medical school are comprised of clinical training at one or more of the College of Medicine’s clinical affiliates. Arrangements will be made for you to complete selected experiences in a specific primary care or rural medicine track in or near your community, depending on facility availability.