FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 16, 2016
Contact: Leah C. Payne, Director of Public Affairs, Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy, 304-691-1713 

Marshall University, School of Medicine announce new class for accelerated B.S./M.D. program

HUNTINGTON, W.Va.—Marshall University and its Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine announced today the newest class members of the accelerated B.S./M.D. program. 

The program was created last year for West Virginia students. It provides an accelerated pathway for high-performing and highly motivated high school students to finish both degrees in seven years. The goal is to educate more physicians who will want to practice medicine in the state. 

“We are hopeful that by engaging these very bright students in an accelerated program, they will opt to stay in their home state and provide health care,” said Jennifer T. Plymale, associate dean for admissions at the School of Medicine. “This truly is an effort to provide an outstanding option to these exceptional students.”

The following individuals have been accepted into the new program:

• Rawan Elhamdani, Barboursville, Cabell County
• Brandon Henderson, Apple Grove, Mason County
• Jensyn Leonhart, Huntington, Cabell County
• Ian McElroy, Parkersburg, Wood County
• Mikayla Myers, Hurricane, Putnam County
• Reena Park, Morgantown, Monongalia County
• Abigail Short, Hurricane, Putnam County
• Madison Soice, Charleston, Kanawha County
• Anisha Valluri, Huntington, Cabell County
• Joshua Whitmore, Barboursville, Cabell County

The program is open to West Virginia high school students who achieve a minimum ACT composite score of 30 (or equivalent SAT), an ACT math score of 27 (or equivalent SAT) , as well as a cumulative GPA of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale.  Other admission criteria include three letters of recommendation and an on-campus interview. 

Students who successfully complete the undergraduate program requirements will matriculate directly into medical school.  They are not required to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).  Additionally, they will receive a tuition waiver for the medical school portion of the program.

For more information on the program, visit https://jcesom.marshall.edu/students/accelerated-bsmd-program/

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Date Posted: Monday, May 16, 2016