Call Me Doctor© ESTEEMED
Overview
What is CMD ESTEEMED?
The NIH-funded Call Me Doctor© - ESTEEMED (Enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Educational Diversity) Scholars Program helps underrepresented first-year students and sophomore-level trainees develop as scholars and scientists. It lays strong foundations through academic enrichment, financial support, faculty and peer mentoring, and training in Clemson biomedical research laboratories. It will also guide the ESTEEMED Scholars into an elite extramural summer program, advanced upper-division undergraduate research training at Clemson, and eventually a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. program in biomedical sciences.
Award Number R25EB033076
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 first 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.
A PDF of the Call Me Doctor© ESTEEMED Scholars Application Webinar covering the best tips and tricks to submit a competitive application is available for following along with the video.
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Who is eligible?
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- You are an American Citizen or Permanent Resident
- You are a high school senior planning to enroll at Clemson in one of the following majors:
- Bioengineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Biological Sciences
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
- Physics (Biophysics Concentration)
- Health Sciences
- You strongly aspire to pursue a career as a biomedical researcher, conducting research integrating engineering and human health, and particularly desire to earn a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. dual degree.
- You are from a group that is underrepresented in the sciences by:
- having a disability recognized by Clemson’s Office of Student Disability Services (SDS)
- identifying with an ethnicity underrepresented in the sciences (Hispanic or Latino, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, American Indian or Alaska Native)
- coming from an economically disadvantaged background by meeting two (2) of the following criteria:
- Were or currently are homeless, as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
- Were or currently are in the foster care system, as defined by the Administration for Children and Families
- Were eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program for two or more years
- Have/had no parents or legal guardians who completed a bachelor's degree (see the U.S. Department of Education)
- Were or currently are eligible for Federal Pell grants
- Received support from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children as a parent or child
- Grew up in one of the following areas:
- U.S. rural area, as designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer or
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-designated Low-Income and Health Professional Shortage Areas (qualifying zip codes are included in the file)
Note: Only one of the two possibilities in #7 can be used as a criterion for the disadvantaged background
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What are the program details?
Summer Bridge
CMD ESTEEMED Scholars participate in Clemson’s PEER/WISE Experience (PWE). This program offers a glimpse of what the first 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.
First-Year Spring and Beyond
Scholars will participate in a Lab Rotation Series in 6 labs of program faculty for 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.
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Are there financial considerations?
- During the pre-college first 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 first 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 first-year student 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.
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How do I apply?
Applications for the CMD ESTEEMED Scholars Program must be complete by February 1 to guarantee full consideration. The application consists of:
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- A 3-minute video/vlog discussing your motivation for the choice of college major and career aspirations involving research and obtaining a Ph.D.
- A statement explaining how you will contribute to the diversity of the program, Clemson University, and the broader biomedical community.
- An up-to-date resume highlighting academic and extracurricular activities.
- A written response to an essay question concerning what research means to you and elaborating on previous research experiences you've had or research you wish to pursue.
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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Interest Form
The Call Me Doctor ESTEEMED Scholars Program provides programming for first- and second-year students. Scholars will live on campus and learn from mentors the summer before they start college. Students will conduct research during their first 2 years and receive a competitive salary. The new program is designed to help build confidence, create a STEM identity, and establish a network of peers, faculty and administrators as support.
Please fill out this form to be added to our e-mailing list. We will send updates regarding deadlines and informational webinars.
Request InformationThe undergraduate program is an offshoot of Call Me Doctor, a graduate program established in 2010. Call Me Doctor provides mentoring and financial support to students who are from underrepresented groups and are pursuing doctorates in STEM disciplines. Since Call Me Doctor launched, 85% of participants completed their doctoral degrees.
Some of the mentors to the ESTEEMED scholars will come from Call Me Doctor. Gilmore, who was a fellow in Call Me Doctor before joining Clemson’s faculty, is now the program’s director.
Faculty and Staff