Special Programs

EARLY DECISION

Tulane participates in AMCAS' Early Decision Program. Successful applicants to this program do not offer any different profile than the successful applicant during the general admission cycle. Those wishing to participate in the Early Decision Program must complete their application file prior to September 1 and be available for interview between September 1 and September 15. Notification of action on the file will be made as early as possible, but no earlier than October 1.

EARLY ACCEPTANCE

Tulane School of Medicine has an Early Acceptance agreement with Tulane University, Loyola University in New Orleans, Xavier University of New Orleans, and Juniata College (Pennsylvania). While the programs vary from school to school, in general outstanding students may apply to a committee at their home institution for early acceptance into Tulane medical school after their sophomore year in college, if they have completed all required course work for medical school. If the undergraduate committee nominates a student for acceptance, that student's application goes before the Admission Committee at Tulane School of Medicine. If the medical school committee accepts the nomination, the student will receive a letter of acceptance into the medical school that will become valid only after the student has completed undergraduate studies. The intent of the program is to free the student from two years of worry about medical school acceptance and allow for more freedom in designing the undergraduate curriculum during the final two years. Students from these schools may obtain more information from their home institution.

TULANE RURAL MEDICAL EDUCATION (TRuMEd)

Tulane Rural Medical Education (TRuMEd) program, initiated in 2004 with support of Health Resources and services Administration (HRSA), Federal Training Grant to the Department of Family and Community Medicine, will facilitate students' preparation for a career in rural primary care practice. TRuMEd will identify prospective and new medical students who are most likely to become practitioners that serve a rural and underserved populace and foster their interest in primary care residency training and future rural practice.

Educators and policymakers have long realized that medical education strategies were needed as a vital part of the solution to the rural health care needs of the country. As is widely recognized, Louisiana ranks low in overall health indicators compared to other states. Poor accessibility to and availability of primary care physicians contributes substantially to this poor performance, further exacerbated by the rural nature of Louisiana. Sixty-three percent (40 of 64) of our parishes (counties) are rural, with 32% of the state's population, well above the national average of 24%, living in rural areas.

TRuMEd will target the production of more rural practitioners by addressing key elements identified in similar and successful programs around the country. These elements include: an admissions process that assesses, then encourages the selection of several candidates who are most inclined to practice in rural areas; providing students with advisors and role models to support them during medical school; exploring means for student debt management, including scholarships and loan payback; provision of experiences in rural pre-matriculation preceptorships and preclinical experiences will be made available to qualified students.

For more information, contact Tulane Rural Medical Education Program (504) 988-8821, Fax: (504) 988-4701, rural@tulane.edu

COMBINED DEGREE PROGRAMS

The Tulane University School of Medicine, in conjunction with the Graduate School and the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, offers combined, or dual, degree programs. Medical students may earn either the MPH, MSPH, MPH&TM or PHD degree while studying for their medical degree.

MPH/MD MSPH/MD or MPH&TM/MD: The master degree in public health or in tropical medicine requires a student to be enrolled in both the School of Medicine and the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. These combined degree programs are designed as four year programs, thus allowing medical students to complete both the public health and medical degrees in the same four years. While not required, students interested in studying in either of these combined degree programs are encouraged to begin their public health studies during the summer prior to entry into medical school. Additional information can be obtained from the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine website: http://www.sph.tulane.edu

PhD: Students interested in earning the PhD and MD degrees must enroll in both the Graduate School and the School of Medicine. There are two programs leading towards the PhD degree: MD/PhD Dual Degree Program and the Physician/Scientist Program (PSP). Additional information can be obtained from the School of Medicine website:
http://www.som.tulane.edu/psp

Entry into the PSP requires students to be accepted in both doctoral programs prior to beginning their medical studies. Two students, with exceptional academic credentials and prior research experience, will be accepted into this program each year. Accepted students receive a fellowship that covers medical and graduate school tuition costs. In addition, during the Graduate School portion of their studies, the students will receive a stipend. Accepted students should be prepared to begin their graduate studies during the summer prior to entry into medical school. It is mandatory that accepted students complete both the PhD and MD degree.

The MD/PhD Dual Degree Program can be entered into anytime after beginning medical school studies, but it is suggested that interested students apply for entry into the Graduate School no later than prior to the beginning of their third year of medical studies.

MD/MBA: In 2004, the School of Medicine , in conjunction with Tulane's Freeman School of Business has established a 5-year combined MD/MBA Program. Students desiring entry into this program will typically apply to the business school during their first year of medical school after taking the Graduate Management Assessment Test (GMAT).  Students accepted into the combined program complete three years of medical school and then complete a full year at the business school.  The final year of the program is completed spending a semester at each school.  The program aims to train physicians with an appreciation of business practices, commerce, and the market place.