Academic Enrichment Program at WCM-Q Prepares High School Students for Medical Education

High school students with dreams of careers in medicine have received a boost thanks to the Qatar Aspiring Doctors Program (QADP) of Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q).

The year-long QADP is designed to help talented high school students who are interested in becoming doctors strengthen their college applications by improving on their areas of strength in the physical sciences, biology, English for academic purposes, and research skills.

This year, 28 students in Grades 9-12 from 20 high schools across Qatar participated in the program. These students were invited, along with their families to a closing event at WCM-Q where they received certificates marking their participation in, or completion of, the program.

Dr. Rachid Bendriss, Assistant Dean for Student Recruitment, Outreach and Foundation Programs, said: “QADP is an excellent way for high school students with ambitions to become doctors to begin to acquire a solid foundation of skills that will help them to do so. It challenges students to be self-disciplined and pro-active, and I’m pleased to say that this year’s cohort rose to that challenge extremely well. We look forward to receiving applications to join WCM-Q from a great many of them.”

The program, now in its fourth year, also helps students prepare for the ACT college admissions test, as well as helping them acquire important time-management and critical-thinking skills.

The QADP course comprises a combination of face-to-face instruction, online modules and hands-on training based on a customized timetable that takes account of students’ high school studies. QADP is self-paced, flexible and involves a full academic year of contact from September to April. Students also have the opportunity to engage directly with WCM-Q faculty, staff and students, and to use WCM-Q facilities, giving them an accurate idea of what life as a medical student at WCM-Q would be like.

Of the 28 students who participated, five students were awarded certificates for completion with honors in the Physical Sciences, Research Skills or Biology. One student – Latifa Mahmoud of Al Bayan Secondary School for Girls – was awarded a certificate of completion with honors in all modules of the program.

Speaking at the closing event, Latifa said: “The great thing about being a QADP student is that you don’t just get to enhance your skills academically, you also get amazing advice and tips about the college application process and access to WCM-Q resources, like you were a true Cornell student. I feel I am a much stronger student now.”

Admission to the QADP is based solely on merit. Students who wish to participate must have excellent academic high school performance, have demonstrated a strong desire to become a doctor and be nominated by their high schools.

Information about the QADP is available at WCM-Q’s Office of Student Recruitment and Outreach at www.qatar-weill.cornell.edu/future-students