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MD Program Curriculum

Application Process

Timeline

  • Orientation (July) – Introduction to the Community Health Training Program from ºÚÁÏÍø leadership
  • Early Fall (August – October)
    • Booth at Activities Fair with current CHT scholars
    • Booth at Summer Opportunities fair
    • Presentation at MS1 Class Meeting from the Community Health Training Program’s Director
    • Presentation at MS2 Class Meeting from the Community Health Training Program’s Director
  • Late Fall (November – December)
    • In Person Information session with the Community Health Training Program’s Director, Coordinator, Faculty Leads, and current students
    • Campus Site Visitation
      • Attend Campus Open Houses
      • Option for a Community Health Training Program-specific tour (email coordinator to discuss)
  • Applications Open: November and December
  • Applications Due: early January
  • Interviews with the Community Health Training Program’s Leadership: mid-late January
    • For those applying to the accelerated (3-year) MD experience, the selection process will also include interviews with Residency Program Leadership
  • Acceptance into the Community Health Training Program: early February

Application Components

  1. Fill out the online application
  2. Letter of Recommendation: Writers should email letters directly to hayley_applegate@med.unc.edu
  3. CV: please email directly to hayley_applegate@med.unc.edu

*Only one LOR is required

 

Who Is a Good Fit for the Community Health Training Program?

Someone Who:

The Community Health Training Program’s goal is to serve the state of North Carolina and its residents, and we want students who are committed to that as well. Students who call North Carolina home, whether they were born here or they visited and fell in love, are motivated to provide top quality care to the state’s residents.

There is a physician shortage in North Carolina – particularly in rural areas. The Community Health Training Program is addressing this shortage by preparing its scholars to practice in these communities. Students who are passionate about and dedicated to serving these rural populations are a great fit for the program.

The Community Health Training Program aims to build the primary care workforce in rural areas of North Carolina and thus aims to work with students who are interested in: family medicine, general surgery, internal medicine, medicine-pediatrics, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and psychiatry. For students who know exactly what type of medicine they want to practice, the program provides great opportunities to experience what this would look like early on and equips them to best serve rural populations in North Carolina.

At its foundation, the Community Health Training Program strives to make a difference and reduce medical disparities in North Carolina. Data shows that medical students who are exposed to training and in-depth and longitudinal clinical experiences during medical school and residency are more prepared and more likely to practice in these spaces. With this, the Community Health Training Program aims to impact future physicians in NC, giving students the opportunity to explore their passions and goals early to confirm their commitment and future ideas of practice.

Our Community Health Training Program scholars want to serve people living in rural areas of North Carolina by providing exemplary healthcare to areas that often have limited access and options for quality healthcare.

 

Who Is a Good Fit for an Accelerated Pathway?

All the above characteristics also apply for those who desire an accelerated pathway. We seek students who come into medical school or develop the following desires during their MS1 year:

The Community Health Training Program currently offers a directed pathway into affiliated NC residency programs for six specialties: family medicine, general surgery, internal medicine, medicine-pediatrics, pediatrics, and psychiatry. For students who know exactly what type of medicine they want to practice, the accelerated pathway provides great opportunities to experience what this would look like early on and equips them to best serve the underserved populations in North Carolina.

The program attracts students who want to be personally developed and inspired to reach their full potential in three years instead of four. Within a streamlined and efficient curriculum, students are able to get a world-class education, an abundance of experience in their chosen specialty, and hands-on training to ensure they are well prepared to enter residency followed by practice one year early.

If you have any questions, email us at hayley_applegate@med.unc.edu.

Application deadline (for current Class of 2027): January 5, 2025 at 5pm

Interviews with the Community Health Training Program’s leadership and the residency programs will take place later in January 2025.

Application to the Community Health Training Program is only open to current MS1s at ºÚÁÏÍø.

Selection to the Community Health Training Program will include a review of the application and first semester medical school grades.  Placement to the Accelerated (3-year) MD pathway is subject to availability among GME partners.