Pathway Programs

We believe it is vital to invest in the future of medicine and research – and not just with our Rowan-Virtua SOM and GSBS communities. In addition to the programs we offer for current medical students, researchers and incoming medical students, we have several programs designed for high school students. These hands-on programs offer high-achieving high school students throughout Southern New Jersey the opportunity for hands-on research with GSBS students and faculty members and a sneak peek at the medical school experience with Rowan-Virtua SOM students and faculty members.

High School Student Programs

ShaD.O.w Program

High school students who have an interest in the medical profession can ShaD.O.w a Rowan-Virtua SOM medical student for a day and find out what it takes to become a successful physician. This program highlights the importance of osteopathy in healthcare, focusing on treatment of the whole patient, and the dedicated path of a medical student.

HCOP High School Opportunity Programs

Our HCOP Program offers several opportunities:

• HCOP Explorers - a six-week summer experience for rising high school juniors and seniors; 
• HCOP Saturday Academy - twenty Saturday sessions filled with opportunities for high school juniors to strengthen their academic skills, prepare for college, and explore careers in medicine; 
• HCOP National Ambassadors - a program that enables high school seniors to work on teams with undergraduate and medical student ambassadors to develop a service project based on research of health disparities in our local communities.

Williamstown Allied Health Academy

This program provides high school students from Williamstown High School Allied Health Academy a two-day, mini medical school experience designed to promote their awareness about osteopathic medicine. The mini-medical school consists of a series of structured workshops that enable the students to interact with Rowan-Virtua SOM faculty, medical students and staff who volunteer their time to provide didactic classroom instruction.

Undergraduate Programs

Rowan-Virtua SOM Summer PREP

Rowan-Virtua SOM Summer PREP is a great way for high-achieving college juniors and seniors from institutions across New Jersey to gain a variety of experiences in support of their medical school preparation. Each year, this competitive program introduces 12 undergraduates to osteopathic medicine through exposure to biomedical research, clinical shadowing, MCAT instruction, medical school processes, and skill-building seminars.

HCOP Undergraduate Opportunity Programs

Our HCOP program provides several undergraduate opportunities:

• HCOP Pre-matriculation Program - a summer programming for incoming freshman students, designed to strengthen academic skills;
• HCOP Pathways to Osteopathic Medicine for Adults (POMA) - an academic and social support program for adult/non-traditional sophomores and juniors;
• HCOP National Ambassadors - a program that enables undergraduate students to work with teams of high school and medical student ambassadors to develop a service project based on research of health disparities in our local communities.

Opportunities for Rowan University Undergraduates

In an effort to promote the osteopathic profession and inform students about the medical school admissions process, the Rowan-Virtua SOM Admissions department meets with:

• Rowan University's Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS)
• Rowan University's Achieving Success through Collaboration, Engagement, and Determination (ASCEND)

Students also have the opportunity to take advantage of our 3+4 medical degree:

• Three plus four articulation agreements with select colleges allow qualified candidates to apply during their junior year and begin osteopathic medical studies in what would traditionally be their senior year. Acceptance into the undergraduate college and pursuing the three plus four track does not guarantee acceptance into Rowan-Virtua SOM. Contact Admissions for more information.

Graduate Student Programs

HCOP for GSBS Students

The Health Careers Opportunity Program provides second semester first year students at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) the opportunity to engage in customized learning experiences which include workshops, test prep, and advising sessions, designed to facilitate their entry into medical school. 

Path to Rowan-Virtua SOM

Outstanding students in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) program are guaranteed an interview at Rowan-Virtua SOM.

Medical Student Programs

The Pre-Matric Program

Incoming students have the opportunity to get a taste of medical school before they even take their first class! Our three-week Pre-Matric program helps future physicians acclimate to the academic and social challenges of medical school, while also providing a familiarization with all that the Stratford area has to offer. Participants benefit from an introduction to some of the major concepts of first-year curricula, as well as the opportunity to interact with administration, faculty, upper-class students and peers in a relaxed, pre-matriculation atmosphere.

Summer Medical Research Fellowship (SMRF)

Rowan-Virtua SOM medical students are invited to participate in scientific research activities at a professional level in our SMRF program. This competitive program offers hands-on experience, especially for first year students and those who are following the Combined D.O./Ph.D. track. Participants develop a clinical or basic-science research project that ultimately contributes to faculty research projects targeting the enhancement of prevention, treatment and cure of disease. At the completion of a successful project, students will present their research on Research Day.

HCOP Medical Student Opportunity Programs

The Health Careers Opportunity Program offers three programs for medical students: the HCOP Pre-matriculation Program, summer programming that includes academic courses, workshops, and advising for incoming first year medical students; HCOP National Ambassadors, a program that enables first year medical students to work with high school and undergraduate ambassadors to develop a service project based on research of health disparities in our local communities; and HCOP CREATE, which stands for Clinical Research, Education, & Training Experiences (CREATE) for rising second year medical students.