GET-UPP is a free pre-medical mentorship program designed to supplement students’ academic trajectory as they pursue medical school admission.
Named in honor of Dr. Gerald Thomson, Professor of Medicine Emeritus at Columbia University, the Gerald E. Thomson Undergraduate Pre-Medical Program (GET-UPP) will serve undergraduate students from Columbia University, Barnard College, and the City University of New York schools. The program runs through the course of the academic year and once students are admitted, they may remain in the program until their undergraduate graduation.
Mission/Objective
The program provides career development support for participating scholars by providing opportunities to network with professionals in medical education and the healthcare workforce. Students are afforded clinical shadowing experiences along with a series of workshop sessions designed to bolster their academic and professional skillset throughout college and medical school. Interactions with medical students and faculty and academic counseling sessions round out the program experience.
The program aims to guide students in forming the foundation necessary to enhance their candidacy for successful matriculation to medical school. Program participants will complete the program with a better understanding of what it takes to successfully apply to medical school and position themselves optimally for a career in medicine.
Program activities for the 2022-2023 academic year will commence in late September. All 2022-2023 program activities have been hosted remotely and the program will continue in an all-virtual format until in-person activity is deemed feasible by university guidance.
The GET-UPP Program serves up to 50 underrepresented pre-medical students yearly.
Eligible participants include, but are not limited to, those who identify as African American/Black, American Indian and Alaskan Native, Hispanic/Latino, and/or those who are from communities of socioeconomic and educational disadvantage.
Program applicants should:
- Be a rising sophomore, junior or senior enrolled at Columbia University, Barnard College, or one of the City University of New York schools, including community college campuses
- Identify as a US citizen, a permanent resident, or an individual granted deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services
- Maintain an over-all GPA of 2.75 or higher
- Be able to attend all program activities typically held on Friday evenings.
