Call Me Doctor© ESTEEMED Scholars Program

Supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the ESTEEMED (Enhancing Science, Technology, EnginEering, and Math Educational Diversity) program is designed "to support educational activities that enhance the diversity of the biomedical research workforce through early preparation for undergraduate students in STEM fields." CMD ESTEEMED Scholars is a research-intensive program that begins in the summer before the freshman year and continues for their first two academic years at Clemson. Students will be immersed in mentored biomedical research, receive academic mentoring and tutoring, and participate in professional development seminars featuring prominent scientists. In the junior year, scholars are expected to transition to independent research with a faculty mentor in a departmental honors program.

Summer Bridge

CMD ESTEEMED Scholars participate in Clemson’s PEER/WISE Experience (PWE). This program offers a glimpse of what the freshman year will be like. This five-week introductory program allows scholars to meet other students in STEM while taking introductory classes in General Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, and Calculus. In addition, you will earn 3 hours of college credit. Students will also take a short seminar course to introduce them to the field of biomedical engineering and best practices for conducting biomedical research.

Freshman Spring and Beyond

Scholars will participate in a Lab Rotation Series in 6 labs of program faculty 2-3 hours weekly, rotating through labs every two weeks. Scholars will also enroll in a seminar course, where they will be assigned a mentor and be required to fulfill weekly study hall hours. The program will intentionally provide professional development and exposure to tools of success for research and coursework.

During the remainder of their time in the program, scholars will conduct research in the labs of their chosen mentors and attend additional academic enrichment and social events. Scholars will be guided through applying for internships and external research opportunities, receive support to travel to academic conferences to present their research, and more.

• • During the pre-freshman summer and PEER & WISE Experience, scholars receive support to fund housing, food, and social activities.
  • During the academic year, scholars receive a salary of $5,000 per semester during the freshman year and $6,000 per semester during the sophomore year. This salary is contingent upon completing laboratory work and meeting all program requirements.
  • During the freshman summer, scholars can apply to receive up to $1000 towards tuition for a summer course taken at Clemson.
  • During the sophomore summer, scholars can apply to receive up to $4,000 in salary to support an approved internal or external research experience (e.g. REU or summer CI) and up to $500 in travel costs if participating in an external research experience.
  • Scholars can apply for up to $500 in conference travel funding per year to attend and present their work at a scientific meeting.

Applications for the CMD ESTEEMED Scholars Program must be complete by February 1 to guarantee full consideration. The application consists of:

• 1. A 3-minute video/vlog discussing your motivation for choice of college major and career aspirations;
  2. A statement explaining how you will contribute to the diversity of the program, Clemson University, and the broader biomedical community;
  3. An up to date resume, highlighting academic and extracurricular activities; 
  4. A written response to an essay question concerning current events in biomedicine (topic to be determined by program faculty each year.)

Acceptance into CMD ESTEEMED is contingent upon acceptance to Clemson University. Full consideration will be given to students who apply to the CMD ESTEEMED Scholars Program by the application deadline, February 1.

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