The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program: 18-Year Evaluation of a Biomedical Program for Low-Income High School Students Author:

Purpose: The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) is a biomedical pipeline program that seeks to diversify the health professions by providing educational enrichment in the medical sciences and college admissions support to low-income high school students. Method: Each summer 24 students are recruited from over 250 California high schools for the five-week residential program. The program is led by 10 Stanford undergraduate students. Participants divide their time between classroom instruction, anatomy practicums, hospital fieldplacements, and college admissions advising. Results: Since its inception in 1988, 405 students have completed SMYSP and 96% have been followed for up to 18 years. The majority are from underrepresented minority groups (33.3% Hispanic, 21.7% African American, 4.0% Native American), many with poor academic preparation. One hundred percent of age-eligible participants have graduated from high school and 99% have been admitted to college. Eighty-one percent of those admitted to college and not currently in college have completed a 4-year college education, the majority majoring in biological and physical sciences (57.1%). Fifty-four percent of 4-year college graduates are attending or have completed medical or graduate school. Many of the 4-year college graduates (44.4%) are becoming or have become health professionals. Conclusion: This program, distinguished by direct participation in the sciences and long-term mentoring, has been highly successful in reaching low-income students and preparing them for medical and other careers. Results highlight the need to track students for as long as 10-15 years to accurately assess college graduation rates and acceptance to medical and graduate school.