| UCLA HIGH AIMS (High Achievement in Math and Science) |
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High Aims 2011-12 We are pleased to announce the UCLA High Achievement in Math and Science (AIMS) Program Cohort. Each of these participants has made a commitment to become a health care professional and diversify the health care workforce. Under the guidance of program staff and professional school mentors, these students will participate in seminars, workshops, internships and research activities to help prepare them for admission into health profession schools. |
| HIGH AIMS provides academic, career and mentoring support to AAP students who are interested in gaining admission to health profession school. It is also designed to provide them with effective strategies to be successful in gateway science courses. It is a cohort program that will admit and support up to 30 students for three years. Students must be sophomores (or juniors if eligible to stay a 5th year). Students will be required to participate in community service activities, workshops, and program meetings. HIGH AIMS is administered by the Academic Advancement Program's (AAP) Office of Mentoring and Research Programs. |
| Program Prequisites |
| Students seeking entry into the program must have completed two science gateway classes with a 2.5 average in all science courses and be in their second year (sophomore), or a third year (junior) if eligible to stay a 5th year, with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. They also must have a demonstrated interest in the health professions and having an understanding of health care issues and health disparities. |
| Program Requirements |
| Students selected to participate in HIGH AIMS must adhere to
the following: 1. Sign an agreement committing to the three year program and following all rules and expectations of the program. 2. Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in all classes. 3. Complete a minimum number of community service hours (to be determined). 4. Attend regular meetings of HIGH AIMS staff and students. 5. Attend all academic and peer facilitated review sessions. 6. Meet with assigned academic counselor twice each quarter to develop an academic plan and timetable for applying to a health profession school. 7. Attend HIGH AIMS workshops and monthly Saturday Career Information Sessions. 8. Participate in research with a UCLA faculty member or assigned mentor for at least one quarter. 9. Adhere to and meet all program deadlines. |
| Program Eligibility Criteria |
| 1. A demonstrated interest in the health sciences as evidenced by volunteer, observation, or career exploration experiences; 2. A minimum overall and science GPA of 2.5; 3. Completed at least two "gateway science courses" (life science, chemistry, physics, math, etc.); 4. Submit an unofficial copy of your most recent DPR/Transcript; 5. Submit two letters of recommendation- one from a science professor/TA and one from a counselor/employer; 6. Write an essay describing why you want to be in the program and how they would address issues of health disparities; 7. Participate in an orientation workshop and be interviewed by HIGH AIMS staff and faculty; 8. Students from disadvantaged and historically underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. |
| Selection of Participants |
| Participants will be selected based upon their personal statement, academic record, demonstrated interest in the health professions, and a successful interview. Candidates must attend an interview in order to qualify for selection in the program. Students selected as HIGH AIMS Scholars will be awarded a $1,000 stipend the first year, $1,500 year two, and $2,000 year three. |
| Academic Support |
| HIGH AIMS students will be assigned an AAP Counselor who will advise and assist with developing an academic plan based upon each student’s career interest. In addition, HIGH AIMS students will be assigned a Peer Learning Facilitator (tutor) and meet regularly with them to review course material and gain additional subject matter knowledge. Every effort will be made to enrolled small groups of HIGH AIMS students in science course. |
| Career Guidance and Personal Development |
| HIGH AIMS students will attend personal development workshops, individual counseling sessions, guest lecturers, and other career related activities to help prepare them to reach their goal of attending health professions school. A variety of workshops will be offered that will cover such topics as study skills and time management, writing a personal statement, planning for health profession school, financing a health professions education, interviewing skills, issues in health care delivery, and life management sessions. Students will also participate in clinical preceptorships and community service. |
| Special Events |
| HIGH AIMS students will have the opportunity to visit health care settings to gain a better understanding and an appreciation of the delivery of health care. Students will also have opportunities to meet with recruiters from health profession schools who will provide them with additional information about the application process. |
| Saturday Career Seminars |
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| Important Deadlines 2011-2012 |
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* TBA |
| Program Administration |
| Charles J. Alexander, Ph.D.
Director, Academic Advancement Program Associate Vice Provost for Student Diversity Albert Alexander AAP Academic Counselor Alice Ho, Ph.D. Director, AAP Mentoring and Research Programs Emmanuel Owaka AAP Peer Learning Center Coordinator |
|
High AIMS Graduate Mentor Charlie Vasquez cvasquez@college.ucla.edu |
| Advisory Committee |
| Charles J. Alexander, PhD Director, Academic Advancement Program Associate Vice Provost for Student Diversity calexander@college.ucla.edu Emmanuel Owaka Peer Learning Lab Coordinator (Math-Science) UCLA Academic Advancement Program eowaka@college.ucla.edu Elizabeth Guerrero-Yzquierdo Geffen School of Medicine eguerrero@mednet.ucla.edu Edmund Hewlett, DDS, MPH Associate Dean and Professor UCLA School of Dentistry ehewlett@dentistry.ucla.edu Alice Ho, PhD Director, AAP Mentoring and Research Programs aho@college.ucla.edu Al Alexander, Academic Counselor Academic Advancement Program aalexander@college.ucla.edu Hy Doyle, PhD Director, UCLA PRIME Geffen School of Medicine hydoyle@ucla.edu Vickie Mays, PhD, MSPH Professor School of Public Health Mays@ucla.edu Faye Holmes Senior Public Administrator Analyst UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities fholmes@mednet.ucla.edu UCLA High Achievement in Math and Science High AIMS Cohort: Anabel Alcaraz Biology, Chicana and Chicano Studies minor Medicine Betelihem Alemu Chemistry Medicine Sarah Applegate Mathematics Medicine Ngoc Bui Biochemistry Medicine Lawrence Chen Biochemistry Medicine Nedra Chijioke Biochemistry Pharmacy Ivy Dang Biology Medicine Hao Dieu Biochemistry Pharmacy /Medicine Daisy Duarte Undeclared Social Science Medicine Charlotte Dyer Neuroscience Medicine Rahel Gebregziabher Psychobiology Medicine Henry Gonzalez Biophysics Medicine Grace Kim Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Medicine Tatiana Larreynaga History Medicine David Limjoco Neuroscience Osteopathic Medicine Liseth Magana Cognitive Science Medicine DeAndra Morris Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology Medicine Darwin Nelson Bioengineering Medicine Minhhan Pham Biochemistry Dentistry /Medicine Elizabeth Pruitt Psychology Medicine Jeannie Gail Radoc Psychobiology Medicine |
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