PROJECT ACEe
(Academic Career and Educational Experiences)

Introduction/Description

The School of Medicine and the Health Careers Opportunity Program of Virginia Commonwealth University developed and implemented Project ACEe, a program targeting disadvantaged high school student, to promote and encourage health awareness, interest, ability and/or commitment in pursuing a career in medicine. This effort represents a sincere organizational interest in the development of the residents of our community.

The program is a five-month academic enrichment experience designed to expose students from the Richmond Metropolitan area to the health professions, specifically medicine, and to provide them with academic survival skills. It also to provides students with clinical experiences, through which they gain first-hand knowledge about medical careers. The goal of Project ACEe is to increase the number of minority and/or disadvantaged health care practitioners who will practice in the state of Virginia.

Successful progression of students through this program and matriculation to a pre-medical program is the ultimate goal. The number of students admitted to, enrolled in and graduated from the School of Medicine will be the eventual achievement. The program begins with a student orientation involving program faculty, medical students, sponsors, parents and students. A certificate of completion will be awarded to students during a Closing Ceremony.

Objective

To identify up to ten (10) disadvantaged students per year, provide them with career information, counseling, and health care role models and track them through undergraduate education and hopefully, through matriculation into medical school. The goal is to allow the students to participate in this five-month educational/clinical experience which would give them the skills to be competitive for medical school.

Criteria for Selection

Target populations are high school juniors and seniors from the greater Richmond Metropolitan area. Selection criteria includes, but is not limited to grade point average (2.5 and above), demonstrated interest to pursue a medical career, indicated by students via a written essay and recommendations from both a guidance counselor and science teacher. An ACEe Advisory Committee will select participants from who all students submit a completed application packet.

Location and Program Duration

All workshops will take place on the Health Sciences Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University. Mentor shadowing may vary depending on the physician’s office location. The program will span a five-month period starting in January and ending in May. Enrichment and clinical activities will be scheduled bi-weekly or as necessary.