What can HCOP do for me?
HCOP (Health Career Opportunity Program) is a summer enrichment program that helps students obtain the skills, abilities and knowledge base to become successful. 

For PE, students will have simulated college-level coursework in biology, chemistry, math, study skills and computer/reading.  There will be graded tests and quizzes (with no college credit) in the student files. Students will gain the academic and social confidence to help them become successful at any college or university.   Students who do attend WVU may have an opportunity to take courses with PE professors. The summer program gives them a “headstart” for their undergraduate education.

 

For FE, students will take mock interviews, shadow, volunteer, essay writing and have admission test review for the MCAT, DAT and the PCAT.

 

For RE, students will take anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and study skills that will give them a “headstart” for professional school.

How is the project funded?
HCOP is funded by West Virginia State Legislation.

What are the summer Health Careers Enrichment programs?
WVU will conduct summer preliminary education, facilitating entry, and retention programs to prepare students for health professions schools. The primary goal of this project is to provide students with the knowledge, skills, support, and abilities to enter and graduate from post-secondary schools offering careers in allied health, medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy, then return to practice in the central Appalachian region.

How much does it cost to participate?
The program is FREE for those who qualify

How are students selected and what are the qualifications?
A student seeking admission to the Preliminary Education, Facilitating Entry or Retention Programs must be a U.S. citizen and a West Virginia resident.  Student selection will be based upon interest or major in a health career, school performance, standardized test scores, faculty recommendations and motivation toward improving current educational status.  Other eligibility requirements include having a disadvantage status (economic and educational), and/or having successfully completed any of the Education Pipeline Partnership programs.

·        Students can apply for the PE program if they are a junior in high school (dental hygiene interest only) or graduating high school senior (interested in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical technology and exercise physiology).

 

·        Students can apply for the FE program if they are an undergraduate sophomore or juniors seeking admission into the schools of medicine, dentistry or pharmacy .  Students interested in medicine should have taken  the appropriate course work in:

·        English - 6 hrs.

·        Social or Behavioral Science - 6 hrs

·        Biology or Zoology with labs - 8 hrs.

·        General Chemistry with labs - 8 hrs.

·        Organic Chemistry with labs - 8 hrs.

·        Physics with labs - 8 hrs

 

·        Student can apply for the RE program if they have been accepted into a school of medicine or dentistry.

What defines a student as disadvantaged?
Disadvantaged is defined as financially, academically, first generation college-bound, non-traditional students, and an environment which inhibits chances of success.  

Educationally Disadvantage: an individual that comes from an environment that has inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to enroll in and graduate from a health professions school or allied health program; e.g., a person who is the first generation to attend and graduate from a 4 year College/University, limited upper level courses in high school

Economically Disadvantage: an individual that comes from a family with an annual income at or below low-income thresholds according to family size.

How many can participate in this program?
The total number of participants is 65!  The Preliminary Education Component has 30 seats, the Facilitating Entry Component has 25 seats, and the Retention Component has 10 seats available.  Due to the limited number of seats, you should send in your application as soon as possible.  Don't forget to send in transcripts, letters of recommendation and your essay.

Are applications sent to us or do we have to come in the office?
You can access the applications on our website. Download the forms and mail or fax them to our office. The applications are in PDF format, so you will need to have Adobe Acrobat. If you do not have a computer or the program, you can call us and we can mail you the application

 When are the applications due?
Application deadline is April 1^st for the Facilitating Entry and Retention Component and April 15^th for Preliminary Education.

 When will I be notified if I have been selected?
The application selection takes about one month for completion. You will be notified by either mail or phone about your selection status.

Where is the program held and who are the faculty?
Depending on your career interest and the level of programming, students will be on West Virginia University (Morgantown, WV) and coursework is taught by WVU faculty members.

Do I have to stay on campus?
YES - Students enrolled in the Preliminary Education program will receive a stipend to cover all expected costs of participating in the summer enrichment program such as housing, supplies and food (students will not receive money for non-activity days).

FE students do not have to stay on campus and will receive a full stipend amount. Money will be deducted from their stipend check to pay for the room.  This only applies to those FE students who choose to stay on campus.

When is the program?
The program is held for 6-weeks for both PE and FE and for 4-weeks for Retention. 
FE usually starts the last two weeks in May (around the 20^th) - June.
RE is for 4 weeks in May - June. There will not be a 2007 summer Retention Program
PE usually starts on Father’s Day (mid-June) – July.