Additional programs and initiatives
There are many opportunities for first-generation college students beyond the You First at VCU First-gen Center. The list below is not exhaustive, but it’s a great place to start!
TRIO
VCU currently hosts three TRIO programs which are Student Support Services (SSS), Student Support Services STEM (SSS STEM), and a Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Scholars). SSS and SSS STEM aim to increase eligible undergraduate students' retention and graduation rates by providing services consisting of academic support, supplemental advising, financial literacy, cultural enrichment, graduate school preparation, and career development. The goal of McNair Scholars is to increase the number of underrepresented undergraduate students matriculating toward and attaining a Ph.D. degree by providing exposure to scholarly research, summer internships, and other activities necessary to prepare for doctoral study. Acceptance of applications is ongoing. If you would like more information, please contact the TRIO office at trio@vcu.edu or 804-828-9517. You can also visit their website at trio.vcu.edu.
VCU Diversity P.A.T.H.S.
The mission of VCU Diversity P.A.T.H.S. is to improve access to educational pathways for individuals from diverse backgrounds who are seeking enrollment in health sciences disciplines at VCU.
We offer a vast number of healthcare pathway programs designed to:
- Encourage exploration of career opportunities within the healthcare profession
- Provide students access to academic and social resources that contribute to success in preparation for health professions/graduate school admissions
- Connect students with a network of healthcare providers and community partners who support our mission
VCU Acceleration (VCUA)
The VCUA program is a pre-matriculation summer bridge session and academic year-long program for those students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds interested in pursuing a path toward a career in medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, and other health sciences (Pre-Nursing, Pre-Medical Laboratory Sciences, Pre-Dental Hygiene, etc.). High school seniors are welcome to apply before they have learned of their acceptance status to VCU.
In the summer session, you participate in a four-week residential program, take non-credit math and science coursework taught by VCU faculty members, attend health career-focused workshops, learn more about campus resources, and receive private tours of the programs at MCV.
During the academic year, you will begin your freshman year and live together with your Acceleration peers in GRC as part of a living-learning community. Acceleration students take many of the same first-year courses together, incorporate community service into their schedules, and continue to receive support from tailored pre-health and pre-professional health advising. Please see the website for more program details, application information, and deadlines.
Allied Health Career Exploration (AHCE)
AHCE is open to any rising and current college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors interested in any of the nine health career programs offered by the VCU College of Health Professions (patient counseling, medical laboratory sciences, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia, rehabilitation counseling, radiation sciences, health administration, and gerontology).
As part of the two-week residential summer program, students meet on weekdays for full-day department/degree program admissions information, hands-on and interactive activities within each discipline, workshops on current healthcare topics, interviewing skills, resume development, and more. Please see the website for more program details, application information, and deadlines.
Summer Academic Enrichment Program (SAEP)
SAEP is open to any current college juniors, seniors, graduates, and post-baccalaureate students who are preparing to apply to a dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, or physical therapy health professional school or program.
SAEP is a six-week summer program that simulates the first year of dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, or physical therapy professional school instruction. Students participate in academically intensive instruction in each of their chosen tracks in addition to non-credit core coursework in anatomy, biochemistry, and physiology.
Moreover, students engage in learning skills workshops, mock interviews, discuss current healthcare topics, and connect with the local Richmond community through an interprofessional framework. At the conclusion of the program, students receive an assessment of their readiness to apply to their respective professional schools. Please see the website for more program details, application information, and deadlines.