School of Medicine

Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program in Biomedical Sciences (PREP)

PREP Table cover_Page_1

 

The goal of the LSUHSC-NO PREP is to prepare individuals from backgrounds underrepresented in the biomedical sciences, who have recently completed their baccalaureate science degrees (within 3 years of application date), for successful enrollment, retention, and completion of a PhD training program.  The one-year program provides an annual salary of $27,200.

Eligibility

  • United States citizen or a permanent resident and
  • Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and
  • Obtained baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. college or university less than 36 months prior to PREP application date and
  • Individuals from groups that have been shown to be underrepresented in biomedical research:  Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, American Indians or Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders or
  • Individuals with disabilities, who are defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
  • Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, defined as those who meet two or more of the following criteria:
    1. Were or currently are homeless, as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
    2. Were or currently are in the foster care system, as defined by the Administration for Children and Families
    3. Were eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program for two or more years
    4. Have/had no parents or legal guardians who completed a bachelor's degree
    5. Were or currently are eligible for Federal Pell grants
    6. Received support from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) as a parent or child
    7. Grew up in one of the following areas: a) a U.S. rural area, as designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer, or b) a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-designated Low-Income and Health Professional Shortage Areas  (qualifying zipcodes are included in the file). Only one of the two possibilities in #7 can be used as a criterion for the disadvantaged background definition.

Eligibility as defined by NIH https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-20-031.aspx 

Please fill out the online application and then select the SUBMIT button (located at the bottom of the form).  There is no application fee.  

You will not be able to save your work and return later.


APPLICATION SITE OPENS:  December 1st

DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF ALL SUBMISSION MATERIALS - MARCH 1

NOTIFICATION OF AWARD:  April 30th

PROGRAM DATES:  June 1st - May 31st


1. COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM.

        BE PREPARED TO ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS (250 WORD LIMIT for each question).

  • Why are you interested in pursuing a graduate (PhD) degree in the biomedical sciences?
  • What are your personal academic interests, including short-term and long-term career goals, and your plans to accomplish them?
  • Have you had any previous research experience? If so, briefly describe below.
  • What skill(s) do you currently possess that will make you a strong candidate for admission into a PhD graduate program in biomedical sciences?
  • Please describe how the PREP can assist you in your academic/career goals.
  • List at least three research investigators at LSUHSC in which you have interests and provide a rationale.
  • Have you applied to any graduate programs?
  • Describe any obstacles you have had to deal with and overcome. (Optional)

2. UPLOAD UNOFFICIAL COPY OF GRE SCORES (not required)

3. UPLOAD RESUME (CV): Be sure to include all education, employment, internships, presentations, publications, honors/awards, and other relevant experiences.

4. UPLOAD UNOFFICIAL UNDERGRADUATE TRANSCRIPT

Transcripts:
Upload your unofficial transcript from each college or university that you have attended (including other institutions in the LSU System).

  • Transcripts that show transfer credits from other colleges you have attended are not acceptable.
  • Official transcripts are required upon invitation to interview or acceptance.
  • You must have a GPA of at least 3.0 for undergraduate work & 3.0 for graduate work, based on a 4-point scale.
  • You must have obtained a baccalaureate degree from a college or university approved by a regional accrediting agency and have been in satisfactory standing at the most recent educational institution attended.
  • If any documentation includes your Social Security Number, please remove using an editing program or print the document and mark out the number and scan to upload.

5. INSTRUCT 2 FACULTY MEMBERS who will be submitting letters of recommendation on your behalf to email the letters to PREP@lsuhsc.edu by March 1.