Eastern Campus

MedSTEP

MedSTEP was launched in 2003 as a joint project between Shepherd University and the West Virginia University School of Medicine.  The program helps prepare students for medical school as well as ease the financial burden of the application process. It is a competitive process, and all applicants are not guaranteed acceptance. Those who are accepted will complete their undergraduate degree and required premedical courses at Shepherd University.  Students will be guaranteed an interview only if they meet required academic and professional standards. 

The basic science portion of the MD curriculum will be completed at WVU’s Morgantown campus. Students will return to the Eastern Division to complete the clinical portion of their degree work (typically the third and fourth years). Admission to MedSTEP is open to a select number of Shepherd students who have completed their freshman year and will be nominated by the science faculty at Shepherd in the spring semester. The application process includes a review of the academic record, recommendation letters, SAT and/or ACT test scores and a personal interview by representatives of the WVU School of Medicine Admissions Committee. WVU and Shepherd University are aware of the great need for physicians in the Eastern Panhandle and have developed this program as a part of their mission to serve the state and region.

First STEP

  • Acceptance to Shepherd University for a degree meeting the pre-med requirements
  • Personal statement demonstrating interest in a medical career
  • Written letters of recommendation from a science teacher, a community leader, and either your principal or guidance counselor
  • Demonstrated leadership, maturity, service and scholarship
  • Minimum high school GPA of 3.5 or greater overall and in all science courses
  • Minimum standardized test scores of 24 for the ACT and/or 1100 for the combined verbal and math sections of the SAT

Second STEP

Once all applications are received and reviewed, selected students will be interviewed by members of the WVU School of Medicine Admissions Committee. As many as five students per year will be selected to participate in the MedSTEP program.

Third STEP

Students accepted into MedSTEP must meet the following qualifications to assure acceptance to the WVU School of Medicine:

  • Maintain a GPA of 3.5 for all courses
  • Participate in monthly seminar-enrichment activities, including study skills, medical-related education, experiences, and community service
  • Participate in pre-planned, medically-related activities over the summer
  • Maintain standards of honesty, integrity, citizenship, and service

Final STEP

In the Spring of their junior year, students will need to complete the standard AMCAS application process for early admission to WVU School of Medicine.  This includes taking the Medical College Aptitude Test and achieving the required score.

Curriculum 

Shepherd University Undergraduate MedSTEP students follow the requirements for a four-year degree in biology or chemistry. See the Shepherd website for the exact courses required for the four-year degree. WVU School of Medicine requires additional coursework for admission to the School of Medicine. These courses would be taken while at Shepherd and include biochemistry, psychology, philosophy, sociology, epidemiology and U.S. history.

For More Information Contact:

Michelle Alder
Coordinator, Student Programs
Eastern Division
Phone: 304-596-6312
Fax: 304-596-6330

WVU Health Sciences Center, 
Eastern Division Office of Student Services
2500 Foundation Way
Martinsburg, WV 25401
Phone: (304) 264-9202 ext. 6316
Fax: (304) 596-6330