Program Introduction/Background

Transfer students from two-year colleges in Northeast Texas face challenges when pursuing medical school, including limited access to pre-health advising, mentorship, and information about the admissions process. These obstacles, often influenced by geographic and resource limitations, create a need for structured support tailored to this population. As the number of transfer students in pre-medical pathways increases, it is essential to offer programming that fosters academic and professional development.

To address these needs, the Community College 2 Medicine (CC2MD) pathway program was established as a half-day seminar offering early, practical guidance to community college students preparing to transition to four-year institutions. The program focuses on foundational knowledge, confidence-building, and preparation for medical school competitiveness. Developed with guidance from the UT Tyler Department of Student Engagement, CC2MD integrates cross-campus expertise to support students at a key stage in their educational journey.
 

Relevance to ASPBP

CC2MD reflects ASPBP's mission to support the success of students from historically underrepresented and underserved backgrounds in medical education. Community college students, particularly in rural and economically disadvantaged regions like those within Northeast Texas, often lack early advising, exposure, and confidence needed to pursue careers in medicine. CC2MD was intentionally designed to address these disparities through targeted, student-centered programming that emphasizes accessibility, responsiveness, and developmental support. By meeting learners at a critical juncture in their academic journey, the program seeks to expand pathways into the medical profession.
 

Target Population

This program serves students currently enrolled at community/junior colleges who are wanting to pursue a career in medicine. These institutions often serve students with limited access to structured advising, mentorships, and opportunities for early exposure to medical education. This academic year, participants have included students from Northeast Texas Community College, Panola College, Tyler Junior College, and Trinity Valley Community College.
 

Among program participants, 45.57% self-identified as White, 16.46% as Black or African American, and 8.86% as Hispanic. In terms of geographic background, 45.5% of students reported residing in towns with populations ranging from 5,000 to 50,000; 27.85% were from cities (population >50,000); and 25.32% identified as living in rural areas (population <5,000). These demographics underscore the program's reach into underserved and underrepresented populations across a broad geographic spectrum.
 

Lessons Learned

Participants described CC2MD as informative and eye-opening, noting increased clarity, motivation, and confidence regarding the path to medical school. Preliminary survey results showed improvements in their understanding of common obstacles faced by transfer students and of the steps involved in applying to medical school. However, limited post-survey response rates constrained data interpretation, suggesting a need for stronger follow-up processes.
 

Feedback also indicated the seminar structure could benefit from more concise sessions. In response, the program will be restructured into shorter, more interactive segments to improve engagement.
 

To offer continued support, a year-long mentorship program and standalone workshops are in development. These additions aim to provide sustained academic and professional guidance throughout the pre-medical journey.