MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University’s program aimed at getting high school students interested in medical careers is taking applications until March 21.

The Rural Medical Scholars program is a five-week, residential program for rising high school seniors. Other than the $60 registration fee, there is no cost to attend the program. Those who successfully complete the program will have taken two college pre-med courses and learned more about the medical field while shadowing professionals on the job.

“We introduced the program in 1998 to encourage and support students interested in pursuing careers as family medicine physicians,” said Bonnie Carew, program coordinator and MSU Extension Service rural health program leader. “Almost half of all Mississippians do not have access to a primary care physician, and 56 percent of the state’s primary care physicians practice in only four counties.”

The Rural Medical Scholars program was designed to encourage more Mississippi youth to enter the medical field and practice in the state. Applicants must have an ACT score of 25, with at least a 24 in math, to be considered for the academically challenging summer program. The student must be a Mississippi resident, have good grades and be interested in learning about a career in family medicine.

Tuition, room and textbooks are provided for those students accepted into the residential program at MSU. Twenty students will be selected for the program, which runs from May 30 to July 2 this year.

Contact Carew for more information at (662) 325-1321 or bcarew@ext.msstate.edu.