It’s never too early to start preparing for a career as a doctor, even if you are in high school or just starting college. But it can be difficult to know exactly where to start. One place to start is to participate in a preparatory medical program that provides hands-on training and the opportunity to secure a competitive edge in planning your future career.

St. George’s University’s Med/Vet Summer Leadership Academy is an example of preparatory medical programs for high school and college students interested in a career as a physician or veterinarian. We’re sharing what you need to know about this summer program that can help you gain practical skills and valuable insight into your future career path as a doctor.

Your summer at SGU

In 2024, the medical program for college students will take place Wednesday, June 5 to Friday, June 14, and the medical program for high school students will take place Wednesday, June 19 to Friday, June 28.

As a participant in the program, your time won’t just be spent in the classroom. The Med/Vet Summer Leadership Academy combines engaging lectures and hands-on practical experience with fun activities to immerse participants in Grenada’s rich culture and beautiful Caribbean environment. A few of the experiences you can expect to have in between your coursework are visiting a waterfall, hiking in the rainforest, and a dinner cruise.

More importantly, you’ll have the opportunity to get a real-world glimpse into what it takes to become not just doctors but leaders. Some of the topics covered by the curriculum in the medical summer program for high school students and college students include:

• Cardiovascular system
• Nervous system
• Musculoskeletal system
• Gastrointestinal systems
• Patient history
• Clinical case presentations
• Ethics and leadership
• Careers in medicine

Participants share their experience

The Med/Vet Summer Leadership Academy has a long history of training future medical and veterinary students. This is what two past participants had to say about their time in the program.

“The Summer Academy was truly the first experience that I had of what medical school and becoming a physician is really like. For me, being exposed to these opportunities really was a perfect way to confirm what I wanted to do with my future and is a huge reason I became a doctor.” – VIRGINIA VAZZANA, MD ‘17, College Medicine Program

“Going through the Summer Academy prepared me mentally for the volume of work that comes along with obtaining a medical degree. Unlike some of my med school classmates, I wasn’t in as much shock after our first day of classes because I was already briefed on some of the material during the Summer Academy. The approach to the work and the attitude had been instilled during the academy. If you ever thought of being a doctor or veterinarian, this is your chance to have an insight into what it would be like.” – AYANNA ROCKE, MD ‘16, College Medicine Program

How to enroll

While there are no prerequisites to enroll, participants must be between 15-17 years old for the high school session and 18 years old for the college session.

Applications for the 2024 Med/Vet Summer Leadership Academy are now open. Spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis upon receipt of a completed application. Applications are considered complete when SGU receives the online Summer Academy Application, Teacher Recommendation Form, and a US $500 deposit.

Learn about the 2024 Med/Vet Summer Leadership Academy

More ways to prepare for a career in medicine

There are countless other ways you can set yourself up for success as you set your sights on a career as a doctor.
Check out our article “How to Become a Doctor after High School: 4 Things You Can Start Doing for more opportunities to get ready for medical school“.