Pipeline programs

The VCU Health Sciences and Health Careers Pipeline offers programs designed for students from elementary school through post-baccalaureate study.

Though each program is different, they share the mission of educating and exciting students about careers in the health sciences. For example, for the past four years, the School of Dentistry has sponsored the Reaching Academic Milestones through Participation and Service program, also known as RAMpS.

As of this year, nearly half of the students who had participated in the program since 2007 have enrolled in dental school — most of them at VCU. Based on the success of this program, the schools of Medicine and Pharmacy and the Department of Physical Therapy have begun similar programs.

VCU Pipeline programs are growing in other ways, too. In summer 2012, VCU began Mini Medical Days — a collaboration with several community groups — to introduce middle school students to careers in health care through one-day interactive sessions. The S.E.E.D. (Science. Exercise. Explore. Develop.) camps are continuing, and the VCU Acceleration program, designed to support incoming VCU pre-health students, saw almost 95 percent of its students retained for their sophomore year at VCU.