Frequently Asked Questions

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WHY SHOULD I DO METROPAP?

If you have a strong interest in family medicine or primary care or have considered future practice in an urban underserved community, MetroPAP provides continuity experience that helps you decide if that's right for you. If you are a student who learns best independently with one-to-one teaching and hands-on experiences, MetroPAP is a great learning experience.

DID YOU KNOW...?

  • You don’t need to have your whole life plan figured out - our interview process is an opportunity to learn more about your options and decide if the program is right for you. We also work with you during the interview process to help find an option that suits your geographic needs, learning style, and career aspirations.
  • MetroPAP supports student choices in selecting a wide variety of medical and surgical specialties, and students successfully match in a wide variety of specialties.
  • You’ll have student cohorts that you see regularly in person and online, work closely with MetroPAP faculty throughout the year (including six site visits), and will be back on campus for class events throughout the year.

HOW ARE STUDENTS SELECTED FOR METROPAP?

Students apply to the program in October-November of the second year of medical school and are interviewed by a MetroPAP faculty member who looks for academic ability, communication skills, interest in primary care practice or urban underserved medicine, and assesses the applicant's ability to succeed in an independent learning environment.

WHAT IS THE SITE PLACEMENT PROCESS LIKE?

We consider a variety of factors when we work on student placements to find a great match, including your clinical interests, career goals, and geographic preferences. You will have the opportunity to list sites you are interested in on your application, and we will discuss these and other options during your interview. Site placement is an ongoing conversation between you and the MetroPAP team. We can't guarantee any specific site placement, but we approach each placement individually and do our best to take your preferences into account. 

 

HOW DOES MetroPAP OPERATE DURING THE CURRENT SITUATION WITH COVID-19?

  • MetroPAP students will work on-site at local clinics and hospitals, and will follow local PPE protocols.
  • MetroPAP students are encouraged to learn telemedicine and other virtual patient outreach initiatives employed at their MetroPAP sites
  • MetroPAP students have access to the online learning modules of each of the clerkships for independent study
  • MetroPAP students were able to continue to earn course credits via virtual experiences during the time frame medical students were not able to attend in-person clinical experiences due to COVID-19

HOW WILL I COMPARE WITH STUDENTS DOING TRADITIONAL COURSES?

Typically, MetroPAP students have performed more procedures and seen more total patients. MetroPAP students must meet the same requirements for patient experience, complete online curriculum, and take the same shelf exams as other students. They perform as well as other students on OSCEs, board, and shelf exams.

WILL I HAVE ACCESS TO LEARNING RESOURCES?

Each site will provide Internet access, and MetroPAP students can access all resources provided by the Biomedical Library.

TO WHICH RESIDENCIES/SPECIALTIES DO STUDENTS MATCH?

Most MetroPAP students report that having participated in MetroPAP was a distinct advantage when applying to residencies. Approximately 75% of students who participated in MetroPAP have gotten their first choice in residency programs. In the past 5 years, 100% of MetroPAP students have matched into their top specialty. Historically, MetroPAP graduates have matched into the following specialties: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Med-Peds, OB/GYN, Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine, Radiology, and Anesthesiology.

HOW WILL PARTICIPATING IN METROPAP AFFECT MY OVERALL MEDICAL SCHOOL SCHEDULE?

MetroPAP provides you with 36 course credits. You will complete core clerkship requirements for emergency medicine, OB/GYN, pediatrics, psychiatry, surgery, neurology and family medicine as well as a number of elective credits in primary care.

WILL I BE ABLE TO FULFILL ALL MY REQUIREMENTS AND GRADUATE ON TIME?

Yes. The only clerkships you will have remaining to meet graduation requirements after MetroPAP is the 4 week ICU clerkship and 18 elective credits (4 hands-on). Program alumni find they have plenty of flexible time in their fourth year for elective courses related to their chosen specialty, to prepare for applications, interviews, and to take time off.

DO MY ELECTIVES AFTER METROPAP HAVE TO BE HANDS-ON ELECTIVES?

4 hands-on electives are required after MetroPAP, but the remaining 14 do not have to be hands-on (for a total of 18 elective credits after MetroPAP).

CAN I GET SPECIFIC SPECIALTY-RELATED EXPERIENCE AFTER METROPAP?

MetroPAP students may want or need to take a sub-internship or specialty experience after MetroPAP for the clinical experience or in anticipation of residency application. With good planning, there is enough time to schedule the needed courses in the fourth year.

HOW ARE METROPAP STUDENTS EVALUATED AND GRADED?

Students are evaluated by preceptors and MetroPAP faculty throughout the year. Each student will complete several core courses during the program, and students must successfully complete the requirements for each. Grading policy is consistent with the Medical School requirements and follows either the Pass/No Pass or the Honors, Excellent, Satisfactory, and No Pass designations.

WHEN IS THE STIPEND PAID OUT?

Each MetroPAP student receives a $20,000 tuition offset for participation in MetroPAP.  $8,000 is deposited into students’ University accounts two times: once in August and once in January. The final $4,000 is deposited in May. Students who are receiving service commitment scholarships that already cover tuition/fees and living stipend (such as Health Professions Scholarship Program, Indian Health Service, or National Health Service Corps) may not be eligible to receive the MetroPAP funding. This $20,000 stipend is not paid in addition to financial aid or loans - it counts against your tuition due. Payments are made based on students meeting MetroPAP program requirements. If you have any questions, contact the Medical School Office of Financial Aid, msfao@umn.edu.