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 “head start” 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 “head start” 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 graduating high school senior
(interested in medicine, dentistry or pharmacy).
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