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Academic Enrichment Programs
Academic Enrichment Programs include programs sponsored by colleges, universities or other not-for-profit organizations that are frequently targeted to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. They can include:
- exposure to health careers by shadowing healthcare professionals
- special academic support such as study skills development, time management, review of science course content
- special research experiences
These experiences can occur in high school, during college (frequently summer programs), or as post-baccalaureate programs. Examples of Academic Enrichment Programs include the Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP) and post-baccalaureate programs.
Featured Program
Learn more about the Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP).
The Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP) is a free six week summer academic enrichment program for college freshman and sophomore students who are interested in a career in medicine or dentistry. The program is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with direction and technical assistance provided by the AAMC and the American Dental Education Association.
SMDEP is implemented at the following 12 program sites across the nation.
- Case Western Reserve University Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine
- Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and College of Dental Medicine
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and UCLA School of Dentistry
- Duke University School of Medicine
- Howard University Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Dentistry, and Medicine
- The University of Texas Dental Branch and Medical School at Houston
- UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical and New Jersey Dental Schools
- University of Louisville Schools of Medicine and Dentistry
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Medicine and Dentistry
- University of Virginia School of Medicine
- University of Washington Schools of Medicine and Dentistry
- Yale University School of Medicine.
Each program site provides scholars with academic enrichment in the basic sciences and math, clinical experiences, career development activities, learning and study skills seminars, and a financial planning workshop. The goal of the program is to prepare aspiring freshman and sophomores to become competitive applicants to medical and dental school.
For additional information and to access the online application, visit www.smdep.org.
Additional information is in the ADEA book Opportunities for Minority Students in United States Dental Schools. Shop online.
Other Programs
Learn more about summer Enrichment Programs.