Kentuckiana Times

‘Pathway to Medicine’ will create direct track to medical school for IU Indianapolis undergrads

An innovative new Indiana University program will provide a direct path to admission at the IU School of Medicine for eligible first-year students admitted to the School of Science at the future IU Indianapolis. The combined bachelor’s/M.D. degree program will give the state’s future doctors and medical researchers a head start in their medical school journeys and help bolster the ranks of Indiana’s health professionals. 

The Pathway to Medicine Program will give students a solid undergraduate foundation for medical education through special curriculum, academic advising, mentoring, MCAT preparation, and clinical or research experience.

“With the creation of IU Indianapolis, our priority is to educate the workforce our state needs to thrive,” IU President Pamela Whitten said. “It’s clear that we will need more physicians in our state moving forward. This innovative program will help us attract and retain some of our state’s most talented students and enable them to pursue a medical career right here in Indiana.”

Pathway to Medicine will offer two tracks:

•    3+4: Students will complete their education on an accelerated path. The first three years of study will consist of coursework through the School of Science and the remaining four years of coursework through the School of Medicine.

•    4+4: Students will complete their education on a traditional timeline. The first four years of study will consist of coursework through the School of Science and the remaining four years of coursework through the School of Medicine.

“By creating a pathway for these extremely talented students to be at the front of the line for medical school here in Indiana, we are improving the likelihood they also stay in the state to complete their residencies and practice medicine as physicians serving our Hoosier population,” said Dr. Paul M. Wallach, executive associate dean for educational affairs at the IU School of Medicine.

Eligible freshmen who are directly admitted to the School of Science on the Indianapolis campus and desire to pursue medical education will have admission to the IU School of Medicine, provided they meet, and continue to meet, all requirements of the academically rigorous program.

The university plans to begin offering the program for fall 2024 enrollment at what will then be IU Indianapolis.

Original source can be found here.