Twenty-four high school students had the opportunity to experience campus life at Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar (WCM-Q) when they spent a week participating in the college's week-long Qatar Medical Explorer Program (QMEP).
The program, which forms part of WCM-Q's series of enrichment programmes offered by the college's Office of Student Outreach & Educational Development, gives high school students the chance to both experience life as a medical student and learn about career paths in medicine. Entry to the program is through nomination by high school counsellors and teachers, who put forward students who have demonstrated academic excellence, particularly in the sciences and mathematics. As part of the program, the students were exposed to a series of sessions that accurately reproduce the experiences of current WCM-Q students, with classes in biology, anatomy, clinical skills, plastic and reconstructive surgery, research, and problem-based learning. There were also sessions on study skills, time management, writing personal statements, interview techniques, applying to medical school, and careers in medicine
Students also participated in an oral presentation exercise, in which they researched a medical topic and then presented their findings to their peers and WCM-Q faculty members. This year, students from 11 schools participated in the QMEP winter session, which took place in February, these being: The Academic Bridge Programme, Al Arqam Academy for Girls, American School of Doha, Doha College, Education City High School, GEMS Wellington School, International School for Medical Science and Engineering, Qatar Academy High School, Sherborne Qatar School for Girls, Lebanese School of Qatar, and West Virginia Academy.
WINTER MEDICAL EXPLORER PROGRAM
22