SFA JAMP student accepted to Baylor College of Medicine

Meghan Jennings, Joint Admissions Medical Program Scholar at Stephen F. Austin State University, has been accepted to Baylor College of Medicine through participation of JAMP, an undergraduate pipeline program created by the Texas Legislature for Texans pursuing their dreams of becoming a doctor.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Getting into medical school contains financial and educational barriers that can limit participation of highly qualified students. Meghan Jennings, senior chemistry major and pre-health student at Stephen F. Austin State University, will be attending Baylor College of Medicine starting this summer. Jennings attributes this success to the many opportunities and hands-on support she's received both in her studies and through the Joint Admissions Medical Program as a JAMP scholar.

"SFA is one of the best places to feel supported in the journey to medical school. With the pre-health professions program, they have given me shadowing opportunities that I didn't have to cold call or fight for," Jennings said. "I have felt really supported during my entire journey here from my classes throughout my volunteer experiences."

JAMP is an undergraduate pipeline program created by the Texas Legislature in 2001 to close gaps between participation and success for Texans pursuing their dreams of becoming a doctor, according to the JAMP website. The program guarantees medical school acceptance in one of the 14 participating Texas medical schools and provides financial support including scholarships, guidance and stipends for educational and interview expenses.

"I always loved sciences growing up, especially math and biology. I always knew I wanted to go into the medical field," Jennings said. "Through the JAMP program, I interviewed at all the participating schools as part of the process and got matched with Baylor College of Medicine. There are a lot of opportunities and resources available there and I want to learn in a very diverse city. I think Houston is that city for me."

Each year, JAMP accepts two qualified students from SFA. The past two cohorts have been filled successfully, and two SFA students have been accepted into the third cohort.

"We are students that don't have your typical pre-medial background; we don't have those connections. JAMP helps bridge that gap and help diversify Texas doctors," Jennings said.

Jennings is involved as a chemistry tutor at the Academic Assistance Resource Center, volunteers with Driving Jacks and is an ambassador for the College of Sciences and Mathematics. These opportunities have increased the value of her time at SFA.

"I have greatly enjoyed SFA. I love the environment, it feels like a family to me because of its small size," Jennings said. "I know almost everyone in my classes and I really enjoy that because I get to really build those relationships that I might not get at a bigger university. You get to know your professors personally, especially in the chemistry department. It brings so many opportunities and resources that you don't often have to fight for since they make them available to you."

Though Jennings did not start college with the intent of going to medical school, SFA helped her to her next chapter.

"SFA helps steer you into a path, even if you don't know where you are going because they provide you so many opportunities and resources to explore what you might be interested in," Jennings said. "You might find opportunities you didn't even know you were interested in and to find your future career."

Upon finishing medical school, Jennings hopes to serve underserved communities, especially in East Texas.